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MLB '09: The Show Midseason Report

12:37 PM - July 13, 2009 by RaychelSnr

It has now been four months since MLB 09: The Show was released. When the game was released, it received rave reviews from a number of different sources and still is generating passionate discussions on forums across the Internet.

But now that consumers have been able to reflect on "The Most Realistic Baseball Game Ever," what are some aspects of the game that are already polished and excellent, and what are some aspects that still need to be worked on for next year?

To begin with, MLB 09: The Show is still the best baseball game on the market. The few positives I will mention in this article only scratch the surface of what this game offers to both hardcore and casual fans of the sport, and the nuances that are only discovered after playing scores of games really set it apart from other baseball games available.

Read More - MLB '09: The Show Midseason Report

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 Eski33 @ 07/20/09 03:31 PM

Things that can be improved:

1) Presentation
--In-game scoreboard from around the league
--In-game highlights from around the league with critical games
--Improved atmosphere of rivalry games

2) Weather (cold, rain, snow, rainouts, makeup DH's)

3) More inform options (more classic options)

4) Classic teams and stadiums

5) Mini-games

6) Not to bite off of 2K but have a "Crib"-type area where you can unlock items such as classic-style pennants, mini-helmets, Customizeable jerseys that can be framed and hung on the walls, etc.

7) More options in regards to bats (pine, oak, length and weight)...Have aluminum as an unlockable...

8) Fly-bys of stadiums during pre-game that shows the exterior

9) Fix AI lineup glitches

My list is primarily presentation oriented....The game is the best on any console....

# 42 RVD @ 07/20/09 04:28 PM

MLB 09 is a great game, but there are definitely things that need to be addressed...

1) Consistency in the Pitching/Batter matchup...it's so frustrating to hit a pop up or ground into a double play when you hit a good pitch with Wheelhouse/Perfect, and then pull a low and away pitch for a homerun.... That definitely contributes to some of the "scripted" feeling of the game IMO

2) I find it very very difficult to read high fastballs in this game. They need to work on the camera angle or figure out a way to make it easier to read high pitches. I seem to aim under a lot of high meaty fastballs (which seems to take away from the pitching/batter matchup because I barely ever crush high fastballs (in the zone) that should be mashed. (i play on pitch speed 3 btw)

3). Baserunning is still very awkward. I swear I still cannot hook right slide towards homeplate...I always seem to slide towards the infield and get thrown out-- copy MVP's base running controls.

3) The color commentary needs to be fixed/scrapped/get new guys. The play by play guy is ace, but the color guys are always chastising the hitters or saying something dumb that really takes away from the realism.

4) Add a different home run cam....follow the ball without it leaving view if you turn it off and don't immediately zoom in to the batter showboating...it just looks awkward. There is that one cutscene where it shows the hitter and the ball from a lower view that is the best imo...i wanna see the ball leave the park.

5) Scrap the rating bars and give numerical ratings...this has always been something that really made no sense to me for such a simulation

# 43 TheGameV30 @ 07/21/09 04:06 PM

RVD, u can turn off hr celebration and then it will follow the ball. i can't remember if it's in the regular options menu or just in-game options. also, they have numerical ratings in this game so....?

# 44 Shadymamba @ 07/21/09 06:19 PM

I have also had a problem with the past balls in critical situations and the baserunning in RTTS is just too confusing L1 to advance R1 to retreat thats it..you hit it 3 times you want to head home from 1st hit it twice you want to go to third. and for franchise or exhibition let the buttons be the runner selected circle 1B, triangle 2nd, square 3B along with the L1 sequence and you good the ol MVP format 05..other than that this game plays great i just use auto baserunning for the time being def a 10 for gameplay in my book

# 45 Avordo99 @ 07/22/09 04:34 AM

This game is great! Only gripes are as follows:

1. Rex needs to go! Cannot stand the negative comments as this really detracts from the great commentary Matt projects.

2. Would like to see something like 2K's throwing/batting interface. Give the gamer the choice of user either buttons or analog sticks.

That's really it! Again, cannot stand the negative commentary Rex brings to the game. That's my biggest gripe! 2K9 has the commentary nailed (IMO). Thanks.

# 46 Avordo99 @ 07/22/09 04:37 AM

Well said!

# 47 countryboy @ 07/22/09 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avordo99


	This game is great! Only gripes are as follows: 1. Rex needs to go! Cannot stand the negative comments as this really detracts from the great commentary Matt projects. 2. Would like to see something like 2K's throwing/batting interface. Give the gamer the choice of user either buttons or analog sticks. That's really it! Again, cannot stand the negative commentary Rex brings to the game. That's my biggest gripe! 2K9 has the commentary nailed (IMO). Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avordo99


	Well said!

# 48 TheGameV30 @ 07/24/09 02:07 PM

can someone please tell me how to properly play a ball off of the walls??? (green monster or reg walls) i think this could use some fixing. i've tried real close to the wall and further away and either way i end up running 5-10 ft after the ball.

# 49 timmuh1515 @ 09/18/09 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorismary


	I would prefer gameplay more based off of user skill and slider adjustment like in 08 . Not all gameplay but to mainly to address the lack of USER control in key situations . Options to turn ON/OFF Pitcher hitter confidence uber boosts. Would like more Gear options old time mits , bats ect , better weekly DLC roster gear/wise and out of the box as I fully edited 3 rosters 50 hours a piece . I know its tuff as players always switch gear but even a decent base would help Manny blue mit , Halladay Black glove ect . Old time parks. Everything else is dead on PERFECT the best ever ! I can see how many older hardcore sim gamers ( numbers ) would enjoy this but at that point why even attempt to play so I broke out my old strat o matic baseball man was Ryan express tough and the dice are never loaded. My final thoughts not since the last MLB strike has my heart ever felt so disappointed due to this one issue so My final autopsy of 09 is "when keeping it too real went wrong" Cant wait for 10 !

I'm shocked to hear such a disappointing review.

First off, I believe you can turn off the confidence influence for pitchers in the global setting.

You obviously haven't played mlb 2k the past 3 years...it makes it incredibly easy to love this game.

I think if you change levels and/or fool with the sliders you can find the perfect game for you. It's impossible for a game to be perfect for every gamer out of the box. That being said...i'm not sure how you can say there is no user control so i'd like a follow up to that if you get a chance.

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