Last week, I discussed a list of changes and additions that would make MLB 2K9 a serious contender for baseball game of the year. I will now be switching my focus to MLB 09: The Show, and I will be listing some improvements that can be made to refine an already stellar baseball game. These changes, if made, will likely further increase the replayability, fun and realism of the game.

And There's Yet Another Hit for the Home Team

The hitting difficulty needs to be increased. This can be done a few different ways. One way would be to simply add another difficulty level in the game. However, I believe this would only be a short-term solution. Therefore, the cursor-based hitting system should instead be revamped, so it's harder to make solid contact with the ball. There is a type of system like this already in the game, but players do not need to actually move the cursor around to meet the location of the pitch. Most of the time, the user can simply press "X" or "Square" to swing, and will likely make contact with the ball. This is why hitting is so easy in MLB 08: The Show.

The developers could go another route and create a type of right-analog swing system -- along the lines of what MLB 2K8 already offers. A greater amount of control for the user would result in a much higher level of intensity while hitting. For instance, if the new system gave players complete control over their bats in the strike zone, it would make bunting a much more formidable task. So during a squeeze play, your skill with the bat would be the reason you succeeded or failed; it would no longer be a simple button press. This mechanic would add a lot more realism and also increase the joy of hitting.

The Sun Sets on Another Beautiful Day of Baseball

Add progressive lighting to the game. This addition would also greatly enhance the realism of the game because it allows the player to start a game in the afternoon when the sun is overhead. Then, if the game goes into extra innings, the player would potentially see the sun setting past the outfield walls while also having to deal with the changing shadows. It would be particularly difficult for the hitter if the pitcher is in the sun, and the batter is in the shadows because it would give the player even less time to see and react to a pitch.

Along with this, dynamic weather would be a very nice addition, especially if the dome began to close when bad weather was in the forecast. It would give every game a different feeling, and players would perhaps pay attention to weather reports before the game, wondering if the partly cloudy skies were going to develop into a storm later in the game.

What's That Coach? You Want Me To Hit and Run? Again?

Expand the third-base coach signs in Road to the Show (RTTS) mode. This was one of the more interesting details that was added in last year’s game, and while I thought it was a good starting point, there is certainly more that can be done with it. In last year’s game, players didn’t even have to look at the signs in order to know what was expected of them. For instance, if the created player is a pitcher and there is a runner on first base, the player will be expected to bunt. If the created player plays somewhere else in the field, he will normally only be required to hit and run. There needs to be more variety in the system.

Also, while there was a sign for "steal" in last year’s game, I never received that sign. Unless this was just an isolated case of never being told to steal, it needs to be implemented this year, as it opens up a different level of strategy when the created player becomes fast enough to be a threat on the bases. Different kinds of signs should also be implemented, such as the aforementioned squeeze play.

Allow Players To Actually Train in the Field To Get Better

Also in RTTS, allow players to increase their stats via different mini games, instead of simply adding points to preset categories. This would increase the players' sense of actually getting better at certain aspects of their game.

The system could award points based on achieving certain goals or playing well in a game -- similar to the system used in MLB 08: The Show. Instead of giving the player a number of points, the system could reward the player with a set amount of time in the batting cage, bullpen, in the field or on the bases. These activities would represent hitting, pitching, fielding, and running. This would be a much more enjoyable way of advancing one’s created player.

A New Meter-Based Throwing System? Yes, Please

Include a right-analog meter system for throwing. MVP Baseball enjoyed a lot of success, and much of the critical praise was lavished upon MVP's intuitive throwing system, which allowed the player to throw the ball harder but with less accuracy, or throw the ball softly but with more accuracy. Numerous times in last year’s game, I would attempt to throw the ball to the cutoff man after a single only to see the ball sail over the fielder's head, allowing the batter to get an extra base. A new meter system would eliminate situations like that, and it would also be a fresh change for the series.


If Sony can implement these changes in time for MLB 09: The Show, Sony is likely to have another excellent game on its hands. The core gameplay is already incredibly solid and fun to play, and a few of these additions would only increase the enjoyment consumers would get out of the game.