Home
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
# 381 Money99 @ 01/07/12 02:17 PM
Downloaded the game yesterday and got a bunch of games in.
It's fun, but there's a few things that are annoying me (which have been well documented here)
- The CPU never chases balls. You're forced to pitch strikes or else the CPU simply refuses to swing.
- Diving and throwing on same button.
- CPU picks the wrong player to field ball. There were several balls where I could have easily gotten with someone else, but it ends up dropping in between because I'm controlling a player that's farther away.
- 90% of my hits go to 2B or 1B. I can't seem to pull any balls that are pitched on the outside.
I've done it once or twice, but most times, I'm forced to push the ball and it almost always goes right at either player.

It's still fun, and I'm sure a lot of it has to do with my inexperience. I just hope I can iron some of these things.
 
# 382 jyoung @ 01/07/12 03:01 PM
Yeah unfortunately, there's no way to get the CPU to swing at first pitches more often or chase pitches that are out of the zone.

Those are the two biggest gameplay flaws IMO.
 
# 383 babythug23 @ 01/12/12 07:09 PM
So Bobblehead battle is a new game? I got Bobblehead Pros! What is bobblehead battle
 
# 384 jyoung @ 01/12/12 08:12 PM
Buying Bobblehead Battle unlocks the player editor in Bobblehead Pros.

It's also a separate minigame:

http://www.operationsports.com/revie...lehead-battle/
 
# 385 michfan16 @ 02/14/12 08:12 PM
Anyone know if we'll be lucky enough for another roster update?
 
# 386 boomhauertjs @ 02/15/12 09:14 AM
Thinking about checking this out since the idea of games under thirty minutes is appealing to me. How well does the roster editor work? Would it be feasible to update the rosters myself to get them up to date for this season? Thanks.
 
# 387 michfan16 @ 02/15/12 05:45 PM
Roster editing allows you to edit everything, but to get it you have to buy bobble head pros and battle
 
# 388 boomhauertjs @ 02/15/12 07:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by michfan16
Roster editing allows you to edit everything, but to get it you have to buy bobble head pros and battle
Can you transfer players between teams, i.e. Pujols to Angels, Fielder to Tigers? What about creating players?
 
# 389 jyoung @ 02/15/12 08:04 PM
You can make trades without buying the roster editor (AKA Bobblehead Battle).

But to create players, you need both Bobblehead Pros and Bobblehead Battle.

This is still my favorite baseball game this generation.

Konami was just real dumb and tried to piecemeal all these different modes into three separate DLC games. The games have sold horribly as a result.

Had they packaged everything into one $15 title, I think it would've done much better. But they got greedy and tried to pull a "Castlevania" by turning this game into a DLC fest.
 
# 390 falcons2003 @ 02/16/12 04:12 PM
About ready to dust off my 360, do some roster editing, and start a new season with this game.

I wonder what happened to the PS3 version?

It just never came out or got canceled or who knows. The PowerPros series is such a great baseball series. Once you get passed the simple graphics, it plays a great game of baseball. I don't think 2k, Konami or whomever has rights to this in the states over the last few years truely knew how to market this game to be successful. What a bummer.
 
# 391 Blzer @ 02/18/12 12:07 AM
I just sat here thinking to myself that Bobblehead Pros for Vita would be amazing.
 
# 392 areobee401 @ 02/18/12 12:29 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blzer
I just sat here thinking to myself that Bobblehead Pros for Vita would be amazing.
The pick up and play style Power Pro Baseball offers is perfect for Vita.
 
# 393 tvman @ 02/18/12 11:03 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by falcons2003
About ready to dust off my 360, do some roster editing, and start a new season with this game.

I wonder what happened to the PS3 version?

It just never came out or got canceled or who knows. The PowerPros series is such a great baseball series. Once you get passed the simple graphics, it plays a great game of baseball. I don't think 2k, Konami or whomever has rights to this in the states over the last few years truely knew how to market this game to be successful. What a bummer.
A PS3 version was released on a disk in Japan this past summer.

http://www.famitsu.com/news/201107/i...c2K561qLB.html

You just can't beat that cursor style hitting!!!
 
# 394 jyoung @ 02/18/12 12:15 PM
I think Konami gave up on this game a while ago.

Shame, because it seems like it would be a good idea to port the PS3 version to Vita.
 
# 395 jyoung @ 03/09/12 12:36 PM
I booted up my Brewers season again last night now that baseball is back. This game is still a ton of fun!

I'm debating whether or not to start a new season with updated rosters.

Mainly, I just want to get Prince Fielder off my team and move Pujols out of the division. I wish there was an in-season trading option so I didn't have to lose 80 games of progress.
 
# 396 Fiddy @ 03/09/12 02:22 PM
they updated the rosters?

errr.. nvm, read it wrong..

thought you said they updated them.. bah.. LOL
 
# 397 jyoung @ 03/09/12 03:01 PM
Nope, rosters have to be updated manually.

Here's my list of new players that I'm working from:

Quote:

American League

Rays - Jose Molina, Carlos Pena, Luke Scott, Jeff Keppinger, Fernando Rodney, Burke Badenhop
Blue Jays - Francisco Cordero, Sergio Santos, Jason Frasor, Darren Oliver, Ben Francisco
Yankees - Michael Pineda, Hiroki Kuroda
Red Sox - Andrew Bailey, Clayton Mortenson,
Orioles -

Royals - Jonathan Sanchez, Jonathan Broxton
Twins - Jamey Carroll, Josh Willingham, Ryan Doumit, Joel Zumaya
Tigers - Prince Fielder
Indians - Derek Lowe
White Sox -

Angels - Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson
Rangers - Yu Darvish, Joe Nathan
Mariners - Hisashi Iwakuma, George Sherrill, Aaron Heilman, Jesus Montero, Hector Noesi
A's - Jarrod Parker, A.J. Cole, Brad Peacock, Tom Milone, Raul Alcantara, Derek Norris, Collin Cowgill, Josh Reddick, Seth Smith

National league

Phillies - Jonathan Papelbon, Dontrelle Willis, Jim Thome, Ty Wiggington, Laynce Nix
Mets - Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch, Ramon Ramirez, Andres Torres
Braves -
Marlins - Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Heath Bell, moved Hanley Rameriz to 3B, Carlos Zambrano
Nationals - Gio Gonzalex, Brad lidge, Mark DeRosa, Mike Cameron

Reds - Mat Latos, Sean Marshall, Ryan Madson
Cubs - Anthony Rizzo, Travis Wood, Paul Maholm, David DeJesus, Chris Volstad
Cardinals - Carolos Beltran, Adam Wainwright
Astros -
Brewers - Aramis Ramirez, Alex Gonzalez, Norichika Aoki
Pirates - Clint Barmes, Erik Bedard

Dodgers - Aaron Harang, Chris Capuano
Rockies - Casey Blake, Michael Cuddyer, Ramon Hernandex, Marco Scutaro, Jamie Moyer, Guillermo Moscoso, Josh Outman
Padres - Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Brad Boxberger, Edinson Volquez, Andrew Cashner, Huston Street, Carlos Quentin
Diamondbacks - Willie Bloomquist, John McDonald, Jason Kubel, Trevor Cahill, Joe Saunders, Craig Breslow
Giants - Melky Cabrera, Angel Pagan
Anything I missed? I just compiled this list from various online articles.
 
# 398 Fiddy @ 03/25/12 10:28 AM
i wonder if we will see an updated version of this game or a new one drop this year?
 
# 399 jyoung @ 03/28/12 03:32 PM
My guess is if Konami does anything with the Power Pros series from this point on, it will be a cell phone game or just a Japan-only release.

The sales for Bobblehead Pros were awful, despite it getting pretty good reviews.
 
# 400 dsk @ 03/31/12 11:41 AM
I bought this last summer and played a game last night and had a blast. With The Show sitting over there in my PS3, i'd kind of forgotten about this. I might just have to make a few roster changes and start a new season.
 


Post A Comment
Only OS members can post comments
Please login or register to post a comment.