MVP Baseball 2004

THE BAD:
Not many that I can think off that are major

SUMMARY:
This is for sure the best baseball game out there. Its got graphics, gameplay, online play, and is very realistic.

Here are a few aspects of gameplay:

Hitting: Hitting in MVP 2004 is great, better than any other baseball game I have played. Mainly for his "Pure swing control system". This allows you to swing the bat and hit the ball in a certain direction/angle. For example, if you recieve a fast ball to the left you would then push the L3 button to the left side, causing the ball to go down the left side. Although if you try pushing it to the right then the ball will be getting hit the opposite direction-- making the ball either a foul or a very poor hit. Its not that easy as it sounds-- you have to figure out where the pitch is going, press the stick in that direction, and hope that the ball doesn't curve away and cause you to get a poor ball. Not to mention the ball may not even be hittable, or you could swing to late trying to figure out where its going. You could also just press "X" and swing at it without using the L3 stick, but then it may not be as effective. For example, if a ball went right down the middle of the plate and all you did was push "x" then you will most likely hit a nice ball down the middle-- but it could still be caught, and you will most likely only get a single, double, or triple. But if you recieved the same pitch--a fastball right down the middle, and you holded up on the L3 stick when you swing, then you will hit a power/fly ball, meaning you will most likely hit a homerun. Of course though you won't always hit a HR-- thats only if the pitch is in the right spot and you do a power hit. If you tried to do a power hit on a low ball then it may cause a groundout or a pop up foul. So a somewhat complex, yet very easy and very effective way to use the batting engine. For sure, the best one I have played.

Pitching is also new unlike other games. In this one you have to wind up the pitch in the pitch meter, and then release it when it gets in the red zone of the meter, then press it again when its in the green zone. Timing here is key, as if you mess up and throw off balance the batter will see the ball coming (if you miss the accuarcy meter then a small indicator shows up meaning its a miss pitch). This makes pitching more skillfull and also more challenging-- but that can easily for used in your favor. Pitching is very fun in MVP-- again better than any other baseball game I have played.

I mostly play online though, and it has a nice online mode. I can get games going in no time as there is a "Play now" mode (quickmatch) and I can also play with buddies of mine using EA messenger.

Also Roster are updated when you go into PS2 online, so all you need to do is save it onto your memory card and you have the new rosters! A-Rod is a Yankee, Alfonso a Ranger, etc.