Major League Baseball 2K9 First Look Preview

[mwjr]

Zone hitting: here's something I don't understand.

I've been playing baseball games for as long as I can remember. Haven't baseball games always had "zone hitting?" I mean, haven't you always had to put the bat where the ball is, i.e. push the bat outside for an outside pitch in order to reach it?

And isn't that what the batter's eye was about last year?

Isn't that "zone hitting," or am I way off?

If I'm not off, what's the big deal?

[mwjr]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trini G1aDiaToR

Yeah, I liked the right-analog pitching system and the throwing meter a lot... the pitching was very flawed but I thought it had great potential so I hope this years improvements are as good as they say. I only have a 360 (and a Wii and I'd like to see them improve the Wii version too last years version had an interesting pitching system too). I hear so much about the Sony franchise that I'm jealous... but I'm not getting a PS3 at this point. Lastly, If they have to delay it a bit I'm fine with that... just give us a good game. I don't understand why sports games always have to come out in the pre-season... I'll wait till the season starts, or even later, if it means the game will be better!

I'm in the same boat. I own a 360 and a Wii (primarily for the kids - Santa brought it), and I don't see myself getting a PS3 simply for MLB 09. However, I will definitely consider getting the PS2 version, as I still have that console and will gladly hook it back up if it means a realistic game of baseball.

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by mwjr

I mean, haven't you always had to put the bat where the ball is, i.e. push the bat outside for an outside pitch in order to reach it? And isn't that what the batter's eye was about last year?

2K hasn't had zone hitting for at least two years. They replaced it with timed hitting, combined with hit influence (push stick up to hit fly ball, down for ground ball, etc.) The ability to actually aim the bat at the ball location in the strikezone was removed. And no, the hitter's eye is simply a guess-pitch feature. Guess the correct spot and your chance to make contact increases.

[bluengold34_OS]

As an owner of both the PS3 and the 360, I will purchase both games this year. I do have to say that even without any pics or recent news, I love the core representation of how 2k baseball plays. The only problem is, the bugs, framerates, glitches always hold it back tremendously. I still love the "core" gameplay and how it feels.

There are things that 2k baseball does that is just awesome, but it always shoots itself in the foot with something stupid. I still believe that if the framerate issue wasn't a problem out of the box last year, the game would have been accepted with a much better reception then what it did receive.

I still have high hopes for this title and the lack of media is just the 2k way and doesn't really bother me. Regardless, this is a day one purchase for me, just as much as "The Show" is and Front Office Manager.

[JoshCA916]

Quote: Originally Posted by bluengold34

There are things that 2k baseball does that is just awesome, but it always shoots itself in the foot with something stupid. I still believe that if the framerate issue wasn't a problem out of the box last year, the game would have been accepted with a much better reception then what it did receive.

I would have to agree with you on the framerate problem, had it been a non issue from the start well and the finish because ps3 never got the patch that was promised, it would have gotten higher scores and been much more accepted. Where they were going with the new control scheme was a nice touch and they could have fine tooled them this year, plus it still had the option to go back to the old school systems for those who prefer it that way, and what i would like to see is the "zone hitting" being added and mixed with swing stick, but that is probably too much wishful thinking.

[brendanrfoley]

I played a little 2K8 today.

I stand by my original assessment. It is a relatively solid game at it's core, plagued by a horrible presentation and spotty framerate.

[HK-47]

Quote: Originally Posted by bluengold34

As an owner of both the PS3 and the 360, I will purchase both games this year. I do have to say that even without any pics or recent news, I love the core representation of how 2k baseball plays. The only problem is, the bugs, framerates, glitches always hold it back tremendously. I still love the "core" gameplay and how it feels. There are things that 2k baseball does that is just awesome, but it always shoots itself in the foot with something stupid. I still believe that if the framerate issue wasn't a problem out of the box last year, the game would have been accepted with a much better reception then what it did receive. I still have high hopes for this title and the lack of media is just the 2k way and doesn't really bother me. Regardless, this is a day one purchase for me, just as much as "The Show" is and Front Office Manager.

I agree...The MLB 2k series is so close to being great, but they always screw something up!I know some believe that the series is 10,000 years away from being good, but I believe it's closer than that!

If 2k8 would of had...

1.A good framerate.

2.A.I that steals bases.

3.No meatballs(If you messed up, the ball should have just went way out of the strike zone, not over the fence).

4.MLB2K7's graphics.

5.A louder crowd, at least for the playoffs.

It would have been talked about as being one of the best baseball games ever...But we all know what happened.

[jeffy777]

Quote: Originally Posted by HK-47

I agree...The MLB 2k series is so close to being great, but they always screw something up!I know some believe that the series is 10,000 years away from being good, but I believe it's closer than that! If 2k8 would of had... 1.A good framerate. 2.A.I that steals bases. 3.No meatballs(If you messed up, the ball should have just went way out of the strike zone, not over the fence). 4.MLB2K7's graphics. 5.A louder crowd, at least for the playoffs. MLB2k8 would have been talked about as being one of the best baseball games ever...But we all know what happened.

I agree as well, the series has amazing potential. With just a few tweaks, 2K8 could've been an epic baseball game.

.......but I would also add to that list:

6. Smooth Online play