Baseball Slugger is a fun and unique homerun derby game for the iPhone and iPod touch. This game has something for both sports and RPG lovers: multiple gameplay modes, unlockable achievements, and an upgrade system to beef up the stats of your slugger. The control scheme is superb. With four play modes the game has lots of reply potential and value for its cost. Beware: this game has the potential to suck hours from your day.

The fact sports games live or die by their controls is probably more true with the unique input options on the iPhone and iPod touch. The controls for Baseball Slugger are smooth as silk and take full advantage of these devices' potential. To hit the ball, you tilt your device to move a bat reticle then tap the screen. The reticle is calibrated after every pitch, so its no big deal if you forget to return to the “home” position.

A very exciting aspect of this game is the online match up mode. You go head-to-head against a slugger anywhere in the world in one of their channels designated exactly for your character's ranking. It works well not just over Wi-Fi, but with EDGE and 3G as well. I could tell no difference in gameplay using the three different connections, a testament to the game's excellent programming. The goal of these match ups is to fill up your points meter before your opponent.

How you earn points is simple to learn but difficult to master. Hit consecutive homeruns to earn progressive bonuses for each long ball. Going deep with one of the games many specialty balls is a another quick way to earn points. After hitting a long ball to each field (right, center, left), your slugger will call the next shot. If you successfully hit a homerun to the called field you earn a substantial bonus. The slugger will continue to call shots until you miss the called field.

After the match, you are awarded a certain number of Gold Balls. These golden balls are the currency you use to upgrade the stats and appearance of your slugger. Another way to earn Gold Balls is through the Classic and Arcade single player modes.

Classic mode is a traditional homerun derby. The goal is to go deep as many times as possible, points don't come into play. Hits, fouls, and strikes count as one of 10 total outs. Arcade mode challenges the batter to score as many points as possible with 10 outs. In this mode, only fouls and strikes count as outs. If you manage a hit, there are no points earned but you do not lose an out. The fourth play mode is Training, allowing you to select as many of the nine pitches available and a top speed. Choose between a righty or lefty, throwing overhand, sidearm or submarine.

Putting a nice bow on the game are the amazing graphics. The high quality and crisp look of the gameplay really draws you into the action. More icing on the cake comes in the ability to create unique playlists from your music Library to keep you focused and pumped. The sounds of the crowd and the organ create a nice ambiance for dominating your opponent or the pitcher as well.

My only complaint about this game is that it is really taxing on my iPhone's battery. It is understandable considering the game is pushing the envelope in nearly every hardware capability these devices have to offer. I highly recommend this game.