News Post

What's Hot and What's Not With MLB 09: The Show

10:49 AM - February 27, 2009 by RaychelSnr

Last week, I discussed some of the strengths and weaknesses of Visual Concepts’ Major League Baseball 2K9. This week, I will be turning my attention to the other baseball game being released on March 3rd, SCE San Diego’s MLB 09: The Show. In contrast to MLB 2K9, MLB 09: The Show is coming off of a stellar outing last year and is looking to improve upon its past efforts.

Much like MLB 2K9, MLB 09: The Show offers a very cinematic experience, and looks to be a very impressive game. However, not everything can be perfect in MLB 09’s video game baseball world. So with just days remaining until final retail copies of The Show reach OS HQ, here are some positives and negatives I have noticed in Sony’s latest baseball game.

Read More - What's Hot and What's Not With MLB 09: The Show

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 ffyfe7 @ 02/28/09 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoBucs09


	I would pay $120.00 for this game.

We have to pay $120.00 in Australia so I am paying double really

# 42 mrnickyb @ 02/28/09 09:08 AM

And don't forget that you have a major difference this year simply because there are two brand new stadiums in Major League Baseball. I want to be able to play in the new Yankee and Mets stadiums, something I can't do in '08.

Also, I love that they added batting practice. It might not seem like much to some but I loved batting practice in High Heat and I look forward to using it in the Show.

Also, 40 man rosters can't be underestimated. It's an important, and realistic addition...

# 43 nefanman @ 02/28/09 11:14 AM

I guess you needed to be "fair and balanced" and do this with 'The Show'. I downloaded 2k for PS3....what a bad game. In my opinion 'The Show' is the greatest sports game available, probably of all time. It truly shows off the power of the PS3 system.

In regards to what it is missing, my only thing would be the Homerun Derby (maybe). I have to say the Derby was played very little by me in games of the past. EA did a really nice job in '05 with the franchise mode, A ball teams were included. Again, for sim franchise pursposes I would like but how much does one play as their hometown team. We have a AA-Eastern Lg team where I live and I probably play a handful of games. This years game is the bomb!!!

The one feature I was hoping they were adding is the add your own face feature to the game like Tiger Woods Golf does. It would be cool to really get yourself into this game, esp in The Road to the Show feature.

I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning waiting for this one. While I guess nothing is completely perfect in everyone's eyes.....this game has got to pretty close. Hoping that someone is doing a midnight sale on Monday...I would be there.

# 44 Pared @ 02/28/09 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumble14


	If someone sticks with the Show 08, will they really be missing that much this baseball season?

Being that this article is for sports gaming enthusiasts on a sports gaming website, the answer to this question should be obvious.

The additions catapult this game past most others. How can someone find a reason to not justify the purchase of one of the most solid sports games available?

High praise for '08 included, '09 is just that much better.

# 45 Sleeper @ 02/28/09 04:04 PM

HOT for '09

Custom batter walk up music
Much improved lighting compared to last year
Appears to have more variety in hits (especially for extra bases)
More dynamic crowd animations and models
Player in game faces seem to have been improved

NOT SO HOT for '09

Fielding camera is like a flying saucer that flies along to the action as opposed to a static camera that zooms in on the action. The latter would look more like a TV broadcast. Hopefully next year they can add a TV broadcast fielding camera on top of the existing Low, Medium and High views.

For me, the good definitely out-weighs the bad. Bring it on!

# 46 Player9 @ 02/28/09 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbz06


	I would seriously hate this game if they change the batter/pitcher interface to something gimmicky like 2k9 It's so perfect right now, smooth, and a lot deeper than it seems. It makes for better human vs. human duels when turning off the pitch location icon and strike zone

hi,i agree with pbz06. If the pitcher/batter interface change is a bad move! Head to head (in the Show)is great without the meter and strikes location zone.I don't like the lock at batting in the show, isn't simulation.When I played vs computer in the past,the MVP series with the meter was apropiated because was challengin to control a fatigue pitcher.But the show is fine too.I 'm sure that some baseball games was great, MVP,High Heat ,Ken Griffey jr and now The Show.The baseball's 2k series needs more things to "catch" me.I will play the demo again to try to feel the best of the game.i bougth 2k baseball game in the past and lost my money except for play the manager mode for some weeks with intensity.The cover athlete was Giambi.Remember this game?I played a lot of sports videogames.Be happy!

# 47 lunkergrabber @ 03/02/09 03:59 PM

the day light would have been cool but lets face it this game is the best baseball game since MVP baseball. I actually played 21 seasons on 2008 version and it was cool to retire. I would like to see 3 things:1 is when you retire make it cool, and make it so that I can creat a new player and start a new career in the year my other guy retired...2. is let me continue my 2008 saved games on 09, like transfer my stats over..I know with new players on new teams would be tough so I would just make it like your transporting your guy in as a free agent on the off season 3. hrs i like watching where my hrs land...but sometimes its tough to get the angle over the fence make the camera go out there...

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