MLB Bobblehead Pros News Post

MLB Bobblehead Pros Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (XBLA)

12:40 PM - July 6, 2011 by ChaseB

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

# 281 Fiddy @ 07/21/11 01:49 PM

man, to bad only a select few of us here at OS playing this game. such a good time!!

do you guys think this will become a yearly game from 2k? i sure hope so!!

# 282 ComfortablyLomb @ 07/21/11 02:06 PM

I'm really hoping this sells well and 2k decides to release a version without the front office stuff ripped out in the future. It's not like they built this from scratch or anything.

# 283 areobee401 @ 07/21/11 02:08 PM

If they used the resources they have for their 2k series this game could be a major hit in the sports market. The look and easy to pick up and play would appeal to non sports fans. Roster updates , online leagues , broadcast style presentation , and the like for serious baseball fans.

# 284 jyoung @ 07/21/11 02:10 PM

I think the graphical style prevents this game from ever becoming a major financial success.

People these days are just too "hard" to play a game with cartoon graphics.

Now if they just took the awesome gameplay engine and used a different graphical approach, I think it would sell a lot.

# 285 falcons2003 @ 07/21/11 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33


	I think the graphical style prevents this game from ever becoming a major financial success. People these days are just too "hard" to play a game with cartoon graphics. Now if they just took the awesome gameplay engine and used a different graphical approach, I think it would sell a lot.

I disagree, look at OOTP, hardly any graphics and still holds its own.

No idea what 2K's plan is. They had something going with PowerPros, but ditched it (here in the US). Plus they made it only avialable to ps 2 / ps3 backward compatables, and Wii. When you go that route, we can almost guess what the result is going to be.

However, people who bought the product liked it, but your really aren;t getting your game out there if you are limiting yourself to two consoles, one of which is old, the other isn't made to play a realistic baseball gameplay wise on as far as the controls.

What happaned to the Bigs 3? Is there going to be a Bigs 3? Did they ditch that and go with Nicktoones baseball for the Kinect instead?

# 286 falcons2003 @ 07/21/11 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misterkrabz


	Hehe...Kinect baseball...they probably will dedicate resources to that knowing all the crappy decisions they make (and or have made). If there's one thing I can live with out it's "motion control" games (Kinect, Wii, Move)....and that probably means they'll be building them. If I were them I would scrap anything "motion control" and "3D" and work on things like in game ball physics, CPU AI, online leagues, ect....

Right. It seems companies are getting obsessed with the next wave of the future, motion control and virtual reality stuff. But some games/genres you just cannot pull it off, and others will be novelties you will play for 10 min and that's it.

Dance Central is a perfect game for the Kinect. I don't dance, but I've played the game, that game is fun and legit, and replicates dancing pretty good. I can see people hooked on that if that's their thing. Same goes for the music games like Rock Band.

# 287 Earl1963 @ 07/21/11 07:23 PM

I agree as well. Motion controls pretty much suck and can ruin gaming.

# 288 Blzer @ 07/21/11 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulls23


	2K agrees with you at least for baseball. During the MLB 2K11 conference call, they mentioned setting up a motion control prototype and the testers tired out their arm after throwing like 40 pitches. LOL

Which is exactly why they need to implement a bullpen warm-up session before entering the game, duh.

# 289 ComfortablyLomb @ 07/24/11 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl1963


	I agree as well. Motion controls pretty much suck and can ruin gaming.

Agreed. A stupid, stupid fad.

And so this isn't totally off-topic: any news on Bobblehead Pros coming to PSN?

# 290 inkcil @ 07/24/11 09:08 PM

Any idea on a date for the PSN version?

# 291 babythug23 @ 07/25/11 01:00 AM

Anyone know if this going to be a every year release? Prolly have to do with how it sells? If not is there ways to share rosters with a download game? I'm still amaze at how fun this game is without being a arcade game. Don't mind the looks.

# 292 allBthere @ 07/25/11 02:07 AM

is this game like power pros? same engine? if it is I'll buy immediately since I don't have a wii.

the graphics are fine with me...I'd rather play lassorda's baseball on genesis than many modern baseball games.

# 293 DXZeke @ 07/25/11 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33


	I think the graphical style prevents this game from ever becoming a major financial success. People these days are just too "hard" to play a game with cartoon graphics. Now if they just took the awesome gameplay engine and used a different graphical approach, I think it would sell a lot.

Make the bodies look full it would work. The cartoon look is ok since Madden has had a slightly cartoonish look on it for years. All it takes is one solid year of great reviews and the game could be a hit if people talk about it enough. If they get some marketing behind the game.

Tout it as an "easy to pick up game for all, but fully customizable to be a near sim for the hardcore."

Then as stated by others, throw in roster updates and a mini-franchise mode for offline and online leagues for online, it could and would sell. The thing is, they'd have to price point the game in the $20-40 range to get their name out there. It would be a good game for those disenchanted with the other baseball games.

# 294 DXZeke @ 07/25/11 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allBthere


	is this game like power pros? same engine? if it is I'll buy immediately since I don't have a wii. the graphics are fine with me...I'd rather play lassorda's baseball on genesis than many modern baseball games.

Yes, it's the same Power Pro's Engine

Play the Trial and you'll see for yourself. It's worth the time and download.
BTW, if you don't like the bobblehead aspect you can turn the bobbling off in the options with the full game.

# 295 Fiddy @ 07/25/11 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DXZeke


	Make the bodies look full it would work. The cartoon look is ok since Madden has had a slightly cartoonish look on it for years. All it takes is one solid year of great reviews and the game could be a hit if people talk about it enough. If they get some marketing behind the game. Tout it as an "easy to pick up game for all, but fully customizable to be a near sim for the hardcore." Then as stated by others, throw in roster updates and a mini-franchise mode for offline and online leagues for online, it could and would sell. The thing is, they'd have to price point the game in the $20-40 range to get their name out there. It would be a good game for those disenchanted with the other baseball games.

This.

Thing is all these sports games now a days say they producing a realistic sim version of the sport they making. But also say they want it to be easy for causal fans to pick up and play. That ruins the whole experience half the time. So with that said, this game is perfect for that. Easy to pick up and play while also producing great realistic results!!

# 296 DXZeke @ 07/27/11 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiddy


	This. Thing is all these sports games now a days say they producing a realistic sim version of the sport they making. But also say they want it to be easy for causal fans to pick up and play. That ruins the whole experience half the time. So with that said, this game is perfect for that. Easy to pick up and play while also producing great realistic results!!

I completely agree.

It's amazing to me how this dev team, Power Pros, can get so much of it right that the other companies are missing. I like The Show, a lot, but this game is really a good 2nd choice since you can make it what you want.

Put it all on easy and MURDER the CPU. Or put it on hard and have it feel more like a sim with less base hits, etc. It's nice that the settings actually do and will change the game play.

If only this could be a big box retail game with a $30-40 price point. Heck, if they could get in a lite-franchise mode where you have free agents, trades, and rookies (don't have to make it overkill) with continual seasons and put it as a download title for $20. I'd buy it. No questions.

# 297 falcons2003 @ 07/27/11 03:54 PM

I'm really hoping the Bobblehead Battle DLC comes out this week. I really want that player editor feature. Waiting to start my season to fix up the rosters a little bit.

# 298 falcons2003 @ 07/29/11 10:32 AM

I haven't been able to check for the Bobblehead Battle Bonus the last few days.

Still not out yet right?

# 299 philliesfan136 @ 07/29/11 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falcons2003


	I haven't been able to check for the Bobblehead Battle Bonus the last few days. Still not out yet right?

Nope.

# 300 philliesfan136 @ 07/30/11 03:31 PM

Anything new as to "Bobblehead Battle Bonus"?

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