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MLB Bobblehead Pros News Post


Back at E3, I previewed MLB Bobblehead Pros and pretty much could not say enough nice things about it. Konami's Power Pros baseball franchise is beloved for all the right reasons, and this $10 XBLA arcade game seems to be just another way for more people to experience the franchise.

Many folks may have missed out on the series because it has mostly been known for being released on Nintendo platforms this generation, but it's a simulation baseball series that is hidden under a cartoon-like graphical facade. While this version is not quite as in-depth as some of the earlier retail versions of the game, it seems like there is still local co-op online, an edit player feature (although it seems to be locked when you first play the game), full 162-game season and create-a-team elements as well.

Some members here at Operation Sports have already picked up the title and have some nice things to say about it:

Quote:
Originally Posted by bluengold34_OS
And the game is incredibly realistic..I just started a season and the Pirates blasted the Cubs 8-5. The Cubs starting pitching was atrocious, and the they had 2 errors in the field. You can't ask a game to be anymore realistic than that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by philliesfan136
It is looking good, and it feels exactly like Power Pros. It's just as easy to play.
There is a demo for folks to try, and it appears more content will be coming to the game later in the summer. Some of the content coming at a later date includes a home run derby, as well as My Bobble mode, which seems like it will be some sort of career mode where you control one single player for a whole season. I doubt it will be as in depth as "The Life" mode found in other Power Pros games, but it would still be a welcomed addition regardless.

Lastly, while the Xbox Live Arcade version is the only one out right now, it seems like a PS3 version will be coming at a later date.

Game: MLB Bobblehead ProsReader Score: 8.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 3 - View All
MLB Bobblehead Pros Videos
Member Comments
# 181 ELDoro @ 07/10/11 09:28 PM
Is there an online multiplayer season type mode?
 
# 182 jyoung @ 07/10/11 09:33 PM
Online is limited to quick matches, private matches, and online co-op.

So no.

Online also lags a bit, but is still fun IMO.

Reds are a beast in this game. When I simmed a season, they won the NL Central by 35 games.
 
# 183 jyoung @ 07/10/11 10:56 PM
It's amazing for all of this game's flaws just how much fun it is.

I can make a huge list of all the things missing from it, but when I pick up the controller and play, it's a ton of fun!

Just set a new personal best with 3 HRs in a game with Rickie Weeks in a come-from-behind 6 - 7, walk-off-win over the Reds. I was down 6 - 0 after the 2nd inning but just kept chipping away at the lead and came back to win it in on the last swing of the game in the 9th.
 
# 184 areobee401 @ 07/10/11 11:42 PM
I've been playing on Pro across the board and think its time to bump up CPU pitching and defense to All Star.

I'm finding it too easy to on defense. If I switch to All Star what effects will I see?
 
# 185 falcons2003 @ 07/11/11 12:14 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by areobee401
I've been playing on Pro across the board and think its time to bump up CPU pitching and defense to All Star.

I'm finding it too easy to on defense. If I switch to All Star what effects will I see?
I've moved on to the CPU hitting on ALL STAR. I was pretty much shutting the CPU offense down, and they weren't hitting any HRS om pro. First couple of games on all star were rough, but I'll be able to handle it. You just cannot make any mistakes in the field, and really concentrate pitching wise. Gotta win the turning points and Key batter situations. You gotta yank your pitchers out of there right when they get tired or start getting rocked, or it gets ugly.

I really like the defense. The diving plays, and jumping plays happen here and there, but it's done subtly and not overdone, which makes it even better when you can pull one off. I'm sticking with CPU pitching vs. me on PRO it seems to be realistic at this point.
 
# 186 Deltron @ 07/11/11 02:28 AM
Is there an option to turn off power swings?

I don't really like having to bounce back and forth between contact and power swing -- it doesn't seem entirely realistic to me. I much prefer the Ken Griffey style cursor hitting, where it's simplified and HRs seem to come more naturally when making solid contact.
 
# 187 SportsGamerShow @ 07/11/11 03:08 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deltron
Is there an option to turn off power swings?

I don't really like having to bounce back and forth between contact and power swing -- it doesn't seem entirely realistic to me. I much prefer the Ken Griffey style cursor hitting, where it's simplified and HRs seem to come more naturally when making solid contact.
There's isn't an option to turn off power swings.
 
# 188 nunogomes @ 07/11/11 05:54 AM
Im having a hard time finding a good balance in this game... i can only hit good shot´s whith the power swing!

the cpu NEVER chases a pitch even SLIGHTLY outside the strike zone...

In Pro hitting the CPU scores well BUT never swings at anything that it´s a strike!

And im able to hit well BUT only have power with the Power swing, the Contact swing only hit´s weak shot´s...
 
# 189 Fiddy @ 07/11/11 09:54 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by areobee401
I've been playing on Pro across the board and think its time to bump up CPU pitching and defense to All Star.

I'm finding it too easy to on defense. If I switch to All Star what effects will I see?
I wondered the same thing about the user CPU defense. I just keep it the same as the CPU. Which for me is legend. I just think the user CPU level is for when games are simmed.

Like Weeman stated you can make a huge list of what's missing and issues. It just don't matter bc this game is a blast.

They need to stop the MLB2K series and just make this their baseball sim and then make the bigs as well. They would be better off.
 
# 190 jyoung @ 07/11/11 01:50 PM
So I hit a 380 foot home run yesterday with Brewers pitcher Shaun Marcum, who is rated 1 contact and 50 power. For some reason the pitchers in this game are all on the juice.

My staff's #2 pitcher, Yovani Gallardo, leads my team in batting average for the season.
 
# 191 falcons2003 @ 07/11/11 01:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by wEEman33
So I hit a 380 foot home run yesterday with Brewers pitcher Shaun Marcum, who is rated 1 contact and 50 power. For some reason the pitchers in this game are all on the juice.
Where does it have Home run distances???
 
# 192 falcons2003 @ 07/11/11 02:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by falcons2003
I've moved on to the CPU hitting on ALL STAR. I was pretty much shutting the CPU offense down, and they weren't hitting any HRS om pro. First couple of games on all star were rough, but I'll be able to handle it. You just cannot make any mistakes in the field, and really concentrate pitching wise. Gotta win the turning points and Key batter situations. You gotta yank your pitchers out of there right when they get tired or start getting rocked, or it gets ugly.
CPU hitting was pounding me on All STAR Hitting. I would have a bunch of good innings shutting down the CPU, and then a few horrendous ones, just awful awful ones. It wasn't working.

So I found a better mix. Since CPU PRO was getting to easy to shutdown, I went back to CPU PRO Hitting, but I turned off my pitching cursor so I couldn't paint the corners or my pitches. That seems to be the right mix right now.
 
# 193 jyoung @ 07/11/11 02:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by falcons2003
Where does it have Home run distances???
They are not listed on-screen (disappointing), but the home run went right over a wall where the distance was marked.
 
# 194 ch46647 @ 07/11/11 02:15 PM
This game is amazingly fun to play. Probably the best $10 I have ever spent. However, when I play against a friend our games are very high scoring. Does anybody else have this problem? It seems like it is very difficult to pitch against someone playing with you because they can see the pitch marker where you want to originally place it.

I know you can turn the pitch marker off but then I can't tell where I am placing the pitch...
 
# 195 falcons2003 @ 07/11/11 03:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ch46647
I know you can turn the pitch marker off but then I can't tell where I am placing the pitch...
Keep playing with the marker/cursor off you will get used to it. At first it is really tough, but once you play for awhile, you will get the hang of it. That's probably your best bet vs. someone. I'm playing with the cursor off now, and I've gotten use to it pretty quickly. Still leaves a good level of uncertainty, but that's good, you don't want to be able to paint the corners all the time.
 
# 196 falcons2003 @ 07/11/11 03:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by wEEman33
They are not listed on-screen (disappointing), but the home run went right over a wall where the distance was marked.
I gotcha, you were estimating. I thought it might be in the game somewhere and I missed it, I was pumped for a second,,,hahaha. Marcum does sting the ball for some reason. Dude it a rocket down the line on me and I was like what the hell??
 
# 197 ch46647 @ 07/11/11 03:43 PM
Is there any point to using anything other then "power" swing? I cant even get the ball out of the outfield using a "regular" swing...
 
# 198 The Cleaner III @ 07/11/11 04:14 PM
According to this article, http://www.xboxhornet.com/wordpress/?p=8034 you will be able to unlock "edit player" when you buy the upcoming downloadable content. Pretty stupid.
 
# 199 areobee401 @ 07/11/11 06:33 PM
Switch everything to All Star and I'm happy to say the game is giving me a challenge now. On defense you have to pay attention and make sure you are on top of the ball. Also diving and jumping catches aren't as easy to come by. CPU throws more balls and its not as easy to hit. Also nice to see the CPU scoring some runs too.
 
# 200 philliesfan136 @ 07/11/11 06:50 PM
In the article (http://www.xboxhornet.com/wordpress/?p=8034), they say we'll have to pay about $30 to get all the features:

Spoiler


Attached is a look at part of the Edit Player feature to be unlocked.
 


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