All-Star Baseball 2004 on GBA is one of those solid, no-fuss baseball games that just gets it right. You pick your team—I always went with the Yankees, obviously—and jump straight into a game where the pitching feels tight and batting actually takes some timing. The graphics are clean for a handheld, and the players move smoothly, which was rare back then.

What I love is how it doesn’t overcomplicate things. No bloated career modes or gimmicks—just pick-up-and-play baseball where stealing bases feels risky but rewarding, and homers crack off the bat with a satisfying thwack. The AI isn’t a pushover either; pitchers will mix up their stuff, so you can’t just sit on fastballs all game.

It’s aged better than you’d think, especially if you’re into that early 2000s sports game vibe. Still holds up as one of the better portable baseball titles.