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MLB '09: The Show Demo Impressions

09:09 AM - February 6, 2009 by RaychelSnr

If I used baseball terms to describe last year's MLB: The Show, I would say it was a solidly hit ball that drove in a few runs.

After playing the demo for MLB 09: The Show, I think the term I might use to describe this year's game is walk-off grand slam.

Now, this is a demo, and I know that, but the stage is set for what might be the best sports game to come around in quite some time. There are lingering questions, such as how the stat engine will work and how good the Franchise mode improvements are, among other things.

However, make no mistake about it, this game will be money -- pure, unlimited, beautiful money.

Read More - MLB '09: The Show Demo Impressions

MLB '09: The Show screenshot gallery - Click to view

Game: MLB '09: The ShowReader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSPVotes for game: 90 - View All

MLB '09: The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 41 moemoe24 @ 02/09/09 01:37 PM

The SHow was the one and only reason I bought a PS3 last year. So glad I did after reading this preview. I am syked

# 42 Computalover @ 02/10/09 06:36 PM

I noticed the hit thing too.. and it was me.. lol! i was swinging to fast, what worked in 08 seems to need adjustment in 09.. which in fact, is not a bad thing at all.. I could also see in the pitching.. getting use to the new meter.. good thing.. and now for this game to be PERFECt.. would be the new baltimore orioles uniforms.. more choices for throwbacks, and the new look (scoreboards and big ugly arse hotel right across the street blocking the outfield bullpen view) @ camden yards! man the wind is going to be swirlin out there because of that hotel..

# 43 Brotha2ThaNight @ 02/10/09 07:29 PM

sounds so awesome...this is the only game I look forward to on the ps3

# 44 bloodysox1918 @ 02/14/09 05:57 PM

Some of these things may have been addressed already in other comments.

The demo is great on the graphics and most of the gameplay but some things bother me. They need to get rid of the glitch where players are the same height as other players randomly, which was in 08 too. Also, sometimes the announcing gets cut off by other announcers. Another thing is that no one wants to play on the higher difficulty levels if they are just going to lose in the last inning by magic BS such as the pitcher taking his time throwing to first, and the computer getting homeruns and hits off of pitches that shouldn't be hit at all. Upping the difficulty should not result in the computer getting exactly what it needs even if it's impossible. It's like in Mariokart when the computer gets boosts of speed for no reason. 08 had the same problem. Whenever you play on Hall of Fame, the computer may fall behind but eventually comes out getting a hit on every single thing you do, no matter what! It's so annoying. And also when you're playing on high difficulty levels, it is rare to get a strike out. That is way too unrealistic. Pitchers should barely ever get hits as well. Especially AL pitchers, because Kazmir loves blooping in singles almost every at bat on Legend.

Some other things are that Utley, Rollins, Iwamura, Bartlett, Ruiz, Longoria, and Navarro all have 2 handed swings, but they don't in the demo. And by watching all of the videos with Teixeira, he has a 1 handed swing, but 2 in the game. If those are done correctly, the game will seem much crisper. Another thing they should do is have the glove actually close around the ball instead of it just sticking in there for no reason, because it just takes away the realistic feel when the replay shows the catcher catching a strike out when he doesn't even move his glove. Another thing is that night games at 7 on the east coast do not have the sun in view when the game starts. The game should start out with the lighting at about where is normally is at the top of the 3rd. Those little things will really make the game better.

I know this is only a demo and they could have fixed all of these things (I pray for the height glitch to be gone), but I'm just saying what I got out of the demo.

# 45 bdiddy578 @ 02/18/09 07:00 PM

Looks pretty good.

# 46 BREWCREW1982 @ 02/19/09 02:58 PM

The game doesnt look pretty good, it looks amazing. For all the people that have a 360 and think 2k9 is better you are on something or too stubborn to admit the PS3 has a better baseball game. I used to have a 360 myself until I GOT 3 RED BLINKING LIGHTS and had mlb 2k7 and 2k8. I thought both games were really good, but not great. Online gameplay was horrible too because you literally had to swing right after the pitcher threw the ball to even come close to hitting a ball. Mlb the show 08 wasnt much better either, so hopefully they cleaned it up for this year. I used to be stubborn too and thought 2k was just as good as The Show even though I never played The Show because I didnt own a PS3. When I finally got rid of my 360 and bought a PS3, I immediately bought the show 08. Wow...was I amazed. A hell of a lot better than 2k8 overall thats for sure. It was way more realistic and graphics were amazing. The only thing I will give 2k8 was the infiedling controls are better. I think the throwing meter has more of a fun factor then The Show. Pitching was actually pretty fun too and very innovative, but quite frankly I do prefer the classic MVP Baseball style with the meter, along with simple button pressing of hitting too. Overall, 2k9 will be pretty damn good this year I think, but its not going to be better than The Show 09. I know everyone has their own opinion, but I guarentee 9 out of 10 people who have a PS3 prefers The Show and 10 out of 10 people who own a 360 think 2k9 is better....I wonder why that could be?

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