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

# 1421 Blaise @ 03/05/08 09:17 PM

Overall the game to me is pretty good, and hopefully they (2k) patch the known issues. Seems like a solid game of baseball out the box. But maybe someone can answer this question. Did they remove the option this yr where you dont have the ball marker when pitching, and only have the controller vibrate?

# 1422 Direblaze @ 03/05/08 09:21 PM

what swing stick is better the old one or the new one? and if the new please some tips

I really like this game but everything I hit is going to fielders.Anything will be appreciated

# 1423 brendanrfoley @ 03/05/08 09:31 PM

I've heard comments that once the swing stick timing is down, people are really mashing the ball. Is anyone playing with classic, one button swings?

And if so.. how are the results so far?

# 1424 Jistic @ 03/05/08 09:42 PM

Can anyone comment about the demo and is it the same as the retail? Anybody play both?

Thanks.

# 1425 bigfnjoe96 @ 03/05/08 09:42 PM

Is anyone else having trouble turning double plays using Analog Throwing. I just can't get that throw to 2nd..

# 1426 Bat @ 03/05/08 09:52 PM

Does anyone know if we can use custom rosters online?

# 1427 bowlerguy92 @ 03/05/08 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendanrfoley


	I've heard comments that once the swing stick timing is down, people are really mashing the ball. Is anyone playing with classic, one button swings? And if so.. how are the results so far?

I went back to the classic. I am getting a realistic amount of hits, runs, and homers. Pretty much the swing stick 2.0 but simpler to use.

# 1428 ericdrum @ 03/05/08 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfnjoe96


	Is anyone else having trouble turning double plays using Analog Throwing. I just can't get that throw to 2nd..

I've turned 2 and been broken up once in my 2 full games. They do seem tough, but so far, I just love that element.

# 1429 ericdrum @ 03/05/08 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlerguy92


	I went back to the classic. I am getting a realistic amount of hits, runs, and homers. Pretty much the swing stick 2.0 but simpler to use.

I did the same thing. I was struggling with my timing so I switched to classic and my batting seems just right as far as hits, runs and homers. I don't know if I'll stay forever, but it's good while I work on mastering my pitching and fielding which I'm using analog for.

# 1430 pdawg17 @ 03/05/08 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfnjoe96


	Is anyone else having trouble turning double plays using Analog Throwing. I just can't get that throw to 2nd..

I just had the same thing happen to me..****nners at the corners...bottom 9...tied with one out...perfect double play ball to short...was the perfect distance for an underhand flip to the second baseman and instead he just stands there with the ball...the second baseman was standing there too...instead I was supposed to know to run over and touch the bag while running into my second baseman...pretty crappy way for a game to end...

# 1431 Brophog @ 03/05/08 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendanrfoley


	I've heard comments that once the swing stick timing is down, people are really mashing the ball. Is anyone playing with classic, one button swings? And if so.. how are the results so far?

The game seems to give pretty big bonuses for nailing the step portion of the swing this year.

I switch to classic. I find the whole idea of the swing stick to be rather wonky myself. I don't see where the benefit is, personally, and it certainly doesn't add anything to the experience for me.

# 1432 brendanrfoley @ 03/05/08 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericdrum


	I did the same thing. I was struggling with my timing so I switched to classic and my batting seems just right as far as hits, runs and homers. I don't know if I'll stay forever, but it's good while I work on mastering my pitching and fielding which I'm using analog for.

I have a question about classic swing... is it 1-button, or Contact/Power swings?

# 1433 ehh @ 03/05/08 10:22 PM

Classic hitting is definitely going to be the way to go. The swing stick is much improved this year but you can still make contact with way too many pitches. On classic you'll miss a realistic amount of pitches.

I started playing this game on All-Star with a few tweaks and you can really see that they redesigned the CPU pitching. The computer pounds the ball into the lower part of the strike zone, you have to be very patient or you'll hit a lot of ground balls and pop outs.

I'm playing a seven-game series against Boston. I haven't scored a run in the first two games and have a total of four hits so far. Maybe my adjustments are too hard right now, we'll see. But once Boston brought in Timlin I had a double, and two ropes that were unfortunately right at their OF's.

Nice to see there are no more high change up's etc that were constant in 2K7.

Once again, the more I play this game and the more I see I'm really digging it and noticing all the improvements 2K made.

# 1434 longshadow11 @ 03/05/08 10:28 PM

I played the PS3 version for an hour or so last night, and I thought the graphics were really bad, especially at night. Does the game look better on 360?

If the stuttering fix works for everyone, I'll go back and pick it up for the 360. I took my PS3 version back to the store and badgered my way into a refund. Too ugly, too choppy. The pitching seems like it could be fun once you get a handle on it.

My main impression is that it's staggering how much better the 360 version of 2K7 looks than the PS3 2K8. Horrible textures and the lighting is too dark.

# 1435 Bwnarrow3 @ 03/05/08 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehh


	Classic hitting is definitely going to be the way to go. The swing stick is much improved this year but you can still make contact with way too many pitches. On classic you'll miss a realistic amount of pitches. I started playing this game on All-Star with a few tweaks and you can really see that they redesigned the CPU pitching. The computer pounds the ball into the lower part of the strike zone, you have to be very patient or you'll hit a lot of ground balls and pop outs. I'm playing a seven-game series against Boston. I haven't scored a run in the first two games and have a total of four hits so far. Maybe my adjustments are too hard right now, we'll see. But once Boston brought in Timlin I had a double, and two ropes that were unfortunately right at their OF's. Nice to see there are no more high change up's etc that were constant in 2K7. Once again, the more I play this game and the more I see I'm really digging it and noticing all the improvements 2K made.

Hey, get those sliders out soon!

# 1436 ehh @ 03/05/08 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwnarrow3


	Hey, get those sliders out soon!

I think the CPU hitting is fine, human offense is an effin mess though, esp since my patience at the plate is really lacking right now.

It's great to see that pitch speed, throw speed, OF/IF speed is all spot on this year though. No need to mess w. that stuff finally!

# 1437 ehh @ 03/05/08 11:12 PM

I can't hit on All-Star. I either pop-up to the IF cause I'm out in front or hit a slow grounder to the IF. In my last three games I think I've hit four balls to the OF on the fly.

# 1438 ericdrum @ 03/05/08 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendanrfoley


	I have a question about classic swing... is it 1-button, or Contact/Power swings?

That is correct. B to bunt.

# 1439 inkcil @ 03/05/08 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longshadow11


	I played the PS3 version for an hour or so last night, and I thought the graphics were really bad, especially at night. Does the game look better on 360? If the stuttering fix works for everyone, I'll go back and pick it up for the 360. I took my PS3 version back to the store and badgered my way into a refund. Too ugly, too choppy. The pitching seems like it could be fun once you get a handle on it. My main impression is that it's staggering how much better the 360 version of 2K7 looks than the PS3 2K8. Horrible textures and the lighting is too dark.

Hmmm...2k7 for PS3 looked terrible compared to 2k7 for 360. Do you think 2k8 for PS3 looks worse than 2k7 for PS3?

# 1440 bigfnjoe96 @ 03/05/08 11:40 PM

bubba & ehh thanks again for the work around it definitely works. Guys I'm working on some Custom Sliders (testing them as I type) hope to have something posted before the weekend.. Oh BTW have I said I luv the game...

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