MVP Baseball 2003

THE BAD:
-Non-current rosters...you can update them manually, however.

SUMMARY:
I picked this game up a while back and it was great. I'm not really into sports games, but this is all I played until I finished its ten-year Franchise mode. With the recent release of 2004, this game is being ignored. It doesn't change the fact it's a great game.

The graphics were good, with realistic player models. Also, it had a music soundtrakc from various artists...however, it gets annoying when you've heard the same song 20 times. This game 2-player mode, Franchise, Season, Tournament, and a Home Run Derby mode.

The Franchise mode was what was the reall fun part of the game. You havr total control of rosters, salaries, transactions, and games. There were ten 162-game seasons to complete Franchise mode. Based on your team's performance, your salary at the end of the season was either increased or decreased. You can also make it to the playoffs, the World Series, and your players can win the various awards. Each player ahs his own record, just like in real life. There was also a very realisitc post-season (with rookie drafts and such).

Also, in the game, you had total control over everything. Each different pitcher had different pithces with different effectiveness. When pitching to the other team, you could select the pitch, location of the pitch (you had a strike zone), and how effective it will be according to how long you hold the button and whether it is accurate. You can also pick off baserunners. As your pitcher tires, his pithces become less effective and harder to make accurate. Of course, you could always call to the bullpen. Each player ahd his own strengths and weaknesses in hitting, baserunning, and fielding. When hitting, you can choose whether to send the ball to left or right field, whether it should be a fly ball or ground ball, you can bunt, or you can leave the analog stick alone for Full Swing Control. You can also take total control over fielding, and throw it to any base you want. Each hitter has his hot zones (stengths) and cold zones (weaknesses) in the strike zone. You can also choose to steal bases or advance runners.

All in all, a great game, a must buy if you're a baseball fan.