MLB 2K8 News Post

Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

01:24 AM - February 26, 2008 by Steve_OS

Matt Blumenthal had an opportunity to demo Major League Baseball 2K8 this afternoon. His official writeup of the event will be up later this week, but we wanted to get some quick thoughts up here for you guys.

This game looks beautiful, the player models have improved but the real leap is in the animations. The animations move silky smooth and there is no need to worry about herky jerky animations of the past anymore.
I'm impressed with how intuitive and fresh the analog controls are. The pitching takes a little time to get the hang of but the new mechanics add a whole new dimension to the pitching model.
The baseball cards feature is surprisingly cool, expect me to have more on that later on this week.
In-game saves are officially in the game this year.
Check swings don't seem to be a chore anymore. They are now accomplished by pulling back on the right analog stick - no more right trigger necessary.
Stadium-specific animations are in. The Yankee Roll Call was mentioned specifically.
There should be plenty of foul balls this year. I saw several in the few at-bats I played.
No spring training games this year.
I counted eight unlockable classic stadiums. I think more might be available by default as well.
No co-op play
You will have the option to make trades for CPU-controlled teams in franchise mode, but you won't be able to edit their rotations and lineups.
It was suggested to me that the demo is done and has been submitted. If that's the case, it's in Microsoft's hands now.
I will hit on a few of the big questions from the forum here.

Game: Major League Baseball 2K8Reader Score: 6/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 74 - View All

Member Comments

# 861 SPTO @ 03/04/08 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiz5


	HEXUS.gaming reports that a cache clear code has been discovered for the Xbox 360 hard drive via the dashboard's system blade. To perform the function, access 'memory' in the system blade, and then highlight the hard drive. Now press: Y, X, X, LB, RB, X, X. The following message should appear: "Do you want to perform maintenance on your Xbox 360 storage devices?"

I assume I click yes and it automatically clears cache then. I'll try that if the framerate is such a huge problem.

Thanks

# 862 Heelfan71 @ 03/04/08 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott4171


	Its official IGN gave it a 7.4. Looks like I am not buying this game. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/856/856712p1.html

that is about what I would give the game. A 7.5 The other game 9

# 863 Bat @ 03/04/08 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiz5


	HEXUS.gaming reports that a cache clear code has been discovered for the Xbox 360 hard drive via the dashboard's system blade. To perform the function, access 'memory' in the system blade, and then highlight the hard drive. Now press: Y, X, X, LB, RB, X, X. The following message should appear: "Do you want to perform maintenance on your Xbox 360 storage devices?"

I thought you just help the A button (or X) when the game loaded.

# 864 NoSkillz50 @ 03/04/08 04:27 PM

Is the CPU AI good, because one thing that I always noticed in 2K7 was some strange CPU pitcher AI throwing pitches often with little rhyme and reason, but it was much much improved over 2K6 (where pitchers would throw three change-ups in a row) so I'm wondering if its also improved this year.

# 865 kiz5 @ 03/04/08 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bat9th


	Has anyone tested out franchise mode and to see if the computer kept good players in the minors? Lineup AI?

A season in, the best players in AAA are Yunel Escobar (77 ovr), and Paul Lo Duca (77 ovr). Not sure why Lo Duca is playing in the Minors, but they have Placido Polanco playing Catcher. =(

No superstars in the Minors at least.

# 866 UNC_Pete @ 03/04/08 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT30


	A patch for framerate issues? Interesting

Not sure how it'd work, but I know they vastly improved CHoops 2k8 this year.

# 867 Pared @ 03/04/08 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiz5


	I actually cleared my cache, got the update, and played a game ... and things were better. Seems to be above 45 fps for most of the game.

So it's better with the update... after you cleared your cache? It wasn't better immediately after the first time you updated?

# 868 Bat @ 03/04/08 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiz5


	A season in, they have Placido Polanco playing Catcher. =(

Thats no good..

# 869 Glenn33 @ 03/04/08 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by royals_fan_16


	So I bought The Show and MLB 2k8 today. I put in the show and played a game and then put in 2k8 with the same teams and pitchers to play a game. OMG, 2k8 is unplayable. How did they make the game worse than last year? I have no clue, but they did it. The frame rate is awful and the graphics are worse. If you cannot see those 2 problems, you are naive. I am so saddened by this because I thought 2k7 was just a few changes to being a very good game and somehow it wasn't done.

With all due respect - dissagreeing with you doesn't make the rest of us naive.

# 870 sportsdude @ 03/04/08 04:31 PM

just played my first game, here's some quick impressions.

I was the Reds and I beat the Pirates 7-6 in 14 innings. Brandon Phillips 4-6, 6 RBI, 2 runs. Tied the game up with 2 outs with a 3-run shot in the bottom of the 13th, David Ross won it in the bottom of the 14th with a leadoff solo shot.

I've got to say, I really enjoyed playing it. The new controls are a lot of fun. Pitching is a challenge but very rewarding when you throw a perfect pitch (Nate McLouth's buckling knees say hi). Pulling off a double play felt really good when I finally did it (failed on the first two attempts).

I don't like how there's no power swing. There is a difference 2k, between a contact and power swing.

The graphics: players seemed fine, faces were toned down a bit but that's fine because how often are you gonna be staring at a player's face? Field graphics were toned down and it's obvious but I got past it after the first few innings.

Menu text, seriously, who thought it would be a good idea to make it so small?

The framerate: I run my 360 in 1080 even though my tv is only capable of 720. Yes, the framerate appeared worse than last year when the ball was in play. It was even worse when the infield goes around the horn. I'm going to try switching to 720 and turning ball trail off and some other stuff. It is not a gamekiller for me, in fact, I was used to it by the 7th inning. However, if this could run in 60 FPS on 1080, it would be one beautiful game.

# 871 kiz5 @ 03/04/08 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	So it's better with* the update... after you cleared your cache? It wasn't better immediately after the first time you updated?*

I personally don`t remember when the update actually happened. It happened sometime today, but I`ve been playing it since 7 am. I remember going back to my dashboard, to put some music in, and that was when the update happened. Then the cache was cleared, and the update was installed again, and things went well.

# 872 Pared @ 03/04/08 04:34 PM

What is Brinkman's obsession with a ball trail?? First MVP, now 2k. Damn...

# 873 JT30 @ 03/04/08 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNC_Pete


	Not sure how it'd work, but I know they vastly improved CHoops 2k8 this year.

If thats the case, this would be huge for the game.

# 874 Qb @ 03/04/08 04:36 PM

I'll try one more time:

Does the CPU still throw a fastball right down the middle on 3-0 counts virtually everytime?

Thanks

# 875 Fatalah @ 03/04/08 04:36 PM

Can someone explain how to bat to me? How do I aim my hit by only using the right-analog stick?

I might switch to the classic button mashing method...

# 876 Delray @ 03/04/08 04:36 PM

I can't beleive how disappointed I am with this game! I've been waiting for this game for months and as you can notice, I'm on here writing instead of playing! The game isn't even fun! The homeruns are still in there, the framerate is horrible, and even playing on a 50" tv I can't see the damn menus! Get rid of those damn wind blown shirts and FIX THE FRAMRATE! This game should be recalled, just like when there's a problem with your car. Where's Ben now! Is he still trying to promote this crap! You need to scrap this crap and start all over! Sorry, but I'm pissed!

# 877 dcarsnyy @ 03/04/08 04:39 PM

I think there needs to be a separate PS3 Impression thread, considering the difference between the reviews of it and 360.

I have it for PS3 and am disappointed with the framerate but otherwise it isn't bad. However, the frame rate is really frustrating.

Plus, 360 got an update but PS3 did not?

Also, if anyone has figured out custom music on PS3, let me know.

# 878 ehh @ 03/04/08 04:39 PM

LOL @ people bitching endlessly about the framerate issues. There are ZERO problems when pitching or hitting. A few w. throws similar to 2K7 but I can't believe someone would not buy this game because of that.

Anyway....

First pitch a threw was a meatball hit for a HR. Second pitch was the same, another HR. Then I caught Big Papi looking on a low-and-away 2-seamer for the K!

The throw meter is cool as hell so far and the swing stick seems much better.

Also, as for the graphics, they are amazing IMO and anyone who thinks they're worse than last year needs to pop in 2K7. I was playing 2K7 quite a bit the last two weeks and this game is definitely an improvement graphically.

# 879 kiz5 @ 03/04/08 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delray


	I can't beleive how disappointed I am with this game! I've been waiting for this game for months and as you can notice, I'm on here writing instead of playing! The game isn't even fun! The homeruns are still in there, the framerate is horrible, and even playing on a 50" tv I can't see the damn menus! Get rid of those damn wind blown shirts and FIX THE FRAMRATE! This game should be recalled, just like when there's a problem with your car. Where's Ben now! Is he still trying to promote this crap! You need to scrap this crap and start all over! Sorry, but I'm pissed!

Is your 50" tv in HD?

# 880 allBthere @ 03/04/08 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiz5


	HEXUS.gaming reports that a cache clear code has been discovered for the Xbox 360 hard drive via the dashboard's system blade. To perform the function, access 'memory' in the system blade, and then highlight the hard drive. Now press: Y, X, X, LB, RB, X, X. The following message should appear: "Do you want to perform maintenance on your Xbox 360 storage devices?"

but what does this do??? I play a lot of games and have a lot of game saves...will this ruin them? it must do something or it wouldn't be there no?

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