MLB Power Pros (Wii/PS2)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

If you haven't picked up this game, DO IT NOW! Really great game with a ton of options. The nice thing is that it's a game that provides plenty of challenge in all of its modes, but it's also a game that's very easy to pick up and play for newbies and kids.

The Success mode is the 'career' mode in the game. You start as a freshman in college and try to work your way up the ladder. Balancing study, rest, and practice is a constant battle. There's also the constant battle with girlfriends and how to deal with them as well. The obvious goal is to get into the majors and become a great player. I'm through my first year of college and enjoying it a lot.

For those with kids and a Wii, I believe there is a mode where the player can just swing the bat (using motion control) and the baserunning and fielding are auto-control. Should make it fun for them without making it overly complicated.

[Pumpy Tudors]

What better, PS2 version or Wii version?

[Celeval]

I rented the Wii version to try out and have been having a blast with it. Played my first full game last night - it moves quickly, the game took about 25 minutes, but could have been faster as I was still learning the controls. Won 9-8 after giving up 5 in the top of the ninth; Beltran flew out to LF with two outs and the bases loaded to end it.

[Big Fo]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

What better, PS2 version or Wii version?

Wii version sims through seasons twice as fast, has the aforementioned Wiimote only mode, but costs $40 instead of $30. It's worth buying either way.

[MikeVic]

I've played the PS2 version a bit and like it a lot as well. The middle difficulty was too easy in the only game I played on it. But the hardest difficulty is a big challenge so far.

I've lost all four or five games I've played, all my scores of 3-2, 2-1, 5-1, etc... I find it really hard to hit the ball right now.

The thing I like is that there's a crazy amount of stats after the game. And the stats seem so realistic. Pitchers get tired, bad control pitchers will sometimes throw the ball somewhere you don't want, and pitch counts seem realistic. Maddux lasted 90 pitches before he started to show signs of being tired (wiping his forehead).

There's also cool little things, like the player looking back at you angrily if there was a close called strike. If the batter is down 0-2 in the count, his hitting sweet spot gets smaller. A power swing makes the sweet spot really small. It seems like the sweet spot is bigger for better hitters. Ichiro had a pretty damn big one compared to a pitcher that was batting. I like how they implemented the swining and pitching.

I haven't played a baseball game since the original Playstation, but I'm loving this game so far.

[Icy]

Is this available for PSP?

[Fidatelo]

I mentioned in the official Wii games thread that I picked this one up as well. Having a blast so far.

I guess my major complaint with the Wii version is that I can't find a way, either via the Wii "Screen" settings or using the different screen sizes on my TV, to fully stretch the screen over my TV. I end up with black bars on the sides no matter what, which makes me feel that I need to limit my play on my plasma (or at least break it up with some TV viewing or whatnot in between).

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Icy

Is this available for PSP?

No, but it'd be the perfect game for it.

I picked it up for the Wii for kicks. (I was actually going to pick up strikers so MattJonesforHeisman and I could play, but decided to give the MLB thing a shot as I'd heard so much about it.

Simply put, WOW. You know what really sold me on it? I'm playing in Seattle. The game starts with the dome open and in the middle of the third inning it starts to close. (I have no idea what weather settings I had or if the wind was picking up or anything) It was one of those moments that caused my jaw to drop.

I wish to God this were out for the PSP. I have a two week trip coming up (Bend and Portland, OR----weeeeee) and this would be the perfect time filler. As it is, only one game gets my time during this part of the year (NBA2K8) on the main consoles.

Guess I'll have to pick up the new Zelda game for the DS on my trip.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

I mentioned in the official Wii games thread that I picked this one up as well. Having a blast so far.

I guess my major complaint with the Wii version is that I can't find a way, either via the Wii "Screen" settings or using the different screen sizes on my TV, to fully stretch the screen over my TV. I end up with black bars on the sides no matter what, which makes me feel that I need to limit my play on my plasma (or at least break it up with some TV viewing or whatnot in between).

Did you set up to output 480p w/ the component cables? If that's not it, then I have no idea. Might just be designed to only display 4:3

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by TroyF

I was actually going to pick up strikers so MattJonesforHeisman and I could play, but decided to give the MLB thing a shot as I'd heard so much about it.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by MattJones4Heisman

I'll still pick it up. Promise. I can't resist a good baseball game. If the store had been out of it, I'd have picked up Strikers. Give me til next check.

[Big Fo]

I read other places that there is no 16:9 mode, which is kinda weak.

It's strange that no reviews have popped up yet on metacrtic/gameranking, no advertising as far as I know, you basically had to be a regular visitor to gaming messageboards to even find out about this game, a bit of a shame since this game is really good.

[Daimyo]

I can't wait to pick this up as soon as I get home my my business trip. I imported the N64 version when I was in Japan and '98 and played it as much as any console game I've ever owned despite not really caring for baseball much.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

I read other places that there is no 16:9 mode, which is kinda weak.

It's strange that no reviews have popped up yet on metacrtic/gameranking, no advertising as far as I know, you basically had to be a regular visitor to gaming messageboards to even find out about this game, a bit of a shame since this game is really good.

They did not ship advance review copies to the review sites. You'll see reviews pop up.....they'll just come a bit late.

[Celeval]

So. Much. Fun. I had a broken bat line-out to the shortstop earlier (the bat flew off to the side, and the batter got one of those exclamation points over his head). It's also realistic - J.D. Drew struck out looking twice.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by stevew

Did you set up to output 480p w/ the component cables? If that's not it, then I have no idea. Might just be designed to only display 4:3

Well, I might be missing an important step so here's what the things I know about are set at:

- I have my Wii connected to the TV with components cables (blue/green/red + audio).
- In the Wii settings I've gone to Screen Resolution and tried both the standard/EDTV and HDTV options.
- In the Wii settings I've gone to the Screen Display Type and tried both 4:3 and 16:9.
- On my TV, under all of the above settings, I've tried every screen size option I know about (4:3, Full, Wide, Game, Zoom).

The wierdest thing is that even if I set everything to standard 4:3 settings, and have my TV on 4:3 mode, the game still frames the output with black bars _inside_ the grey bars that my TV has. I'm not sure if maybe it is somehow sensing that the TV is an HDTV and ignoring the Wii settings or what, but it is somewhat vexxing.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Celeval

It's also realistic - J.D. Drew struck out looking twice.

2K is sending this. I can't wait to play it.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

2K is sending this. I can't wait to play it.

It's odd. It's like they didn't expect it to do well and then suddenly realized 'Oh, maybe we should send out some review copies'.

[spleen1015]

Got it yesterday and played for about an hour.

I played an exhibition game I was the Red Sox and lost to the Pirates 14-11. After that, I started a Success Mode game. I played for about 30 minutes with that. When do I actually get to play a baseball game?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

Got it yesterday and played for about an hour.

I played an exhibition game I was the Red Sox and lost to the Pirates 14-11. After that, I started a Success Mode game. I played for about 30 minutes with that. When do I actually get to play a baseball game?

The Success mode is mostly a RPG to develop new players for the season/dynasty major league mode. There's not more than 5-6 games to play in the success mode.

[Celeval]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

The Success mode is mostly a RPG to develop new players for the season/dynasty major league mode. There's not more than 5-6 games to play in the success mode.

Yeah - if you're just looking to play games, the League mode is for small leagues (1-6 teams, similar to the old Baseball Stars leagues), or there's the Season(?) mode that is the Franchise/Dynasty thing. Success is more similar to a cross between Inside the Park and Final Fantasy.

[SackAttack]

Deal of the Day over at Amazon.com. $19.99 for the PS2 version.

[Balldog]

This is a great game, might be one of the better baseball games I have played. Its a great mix between fun and sim, it does a lot of little things right. My only beef is the lack of walks and the rosters could use a ton of work.

I started a Season Mode with the Reds and I am off to a 0-3 start. Losing every game by 1, including a 15 inning thriller. Which Encarnacion hit a 2-run HR in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs to send it to extra innings.

Some people will be turned off because of the cartoon look and the fact that Billy Traber doesn't scratch his nuts in between pitches, but if you like baseball - this is a great game. I hope they bring it to XBOX 360 next year and release it in the spring.

[bob]

Is there a way to download a roster update on memory card for this game for the Wii? I'd like to update the game with the Tigers new lineup, but if possible, would like to avoid manually changing everything myself.

[Big Fo]

Originally Posted by bob

Is there a way to download a roster update on memory card for this game for the Wii? I'd like to update the game with the Tigers new lineup, but if possible, would like to avoid manually changing everything myself.

Sadly, I'm pretty sure this isn't possible. Either Konami or 2k made it so would-be roster makers can't copy their roster file from the Wii console and upload it, and I have no clue why they would have done this.

[bob]

oh well - thanks for letting me know.

[dfisher]

What is the best way to increase difficulty in this game? I'm the Phillies in a season and have started off 15-1, with Ryan Howard already at 18 homers, Chase Utley has 10, and Pat Burrell has 8. Pitching-wise, Cole Hamels is my worst with an ERA around 3.5. Heck, Adam freakin' Eaton is pitching well for me (though, fittingly, he has my only loss). A lot of the games haven't been close (10-1, 8-0, etc). I mean, I like winning and everything, but I would like a little more challenge.

Another question, is it possible to hit homeruns with the contact swing? So far, all of my homeruns are with power swing.

[MizzouRah]

Picking up this one tonight for some baseball fever action!!!

[Pumpy Tudors]

I liked playing the Success Mode, but I discovered that I wasn't really a fan of playing the actual games. I kinda wished that I'd rented it instead of buying it, but oh well.

[MikeVic]

Put it in your KING CAKE.

[albionmoonlight]

I am playing the Wii version. I made an Arrange team with the intent of putting them into the league and playing a season with them. Then I realized that I couldn't do that because I had to have a certain amount of points to purchase the rights to do it. I don't mind playing until I get enough points. However, I also notice that the "item" which allows me to do it is on back-order. How can I make sure that I am able to place an arrange team into full season mode? Is there some task that I have to complete beyond getting enough points?

[Celeval]

I think finishing one season will turn the item on.

[Butter]

I see that you can use the Motion Control for batting... what is the pitching mechanism like? This might be a good game for me to play with my 7 year old, as long as the pitching is not too complex.

[albionmoonlight]

Thanks for the answer.

Butter, I am not using the wii-motion controls. Pitching is, I think, pretty simple, but I am not sure what a seven year old can do. Basically, you pick a pitch style, use the nunchuck to aim the pitch, and press A to release the ball.

You might want to rent the game first to check it out. One good thing about it is that you can automate tasks (like base running and fielding)that you don't want to/can't do.

[saldana]

i have been playing this alot lately, and i think the gameplay leaves alot to be desired...the ball physics are horrible, and the fielders have no momentum...the fact that they also dont "reach" out for a ball hit just to the left or right of them is very annoying to me...if you arent directly in front of the ball, it goes right by...hitting the ball down the line is virtually impossible, and the number of popups to the deep infield that are tracked down by the cPU infielders is ridiculously out of proportion...the selection of the active fielder by the computer for me to use is horrendous, and it will randomly switch to a player that I am not intending to use at least once per game, especially on weak ground balls to the infield....at least once every other game i am tempted to just trade it in for a game that doesnt piss me off.

[Celeval]

MLB Power Pros 2008 to be released sometime in July.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/872/872668p1.html

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

New media. Power Pros 2008 screenshots:

http://www.sportsgamerblog.com/mlb-p...8-screenshots/

New trailer for Power Pros 2008:

http://www.2ksports.com/games/mlbpp2008

[Izulde]

I really hope you can import from Success Mode to MLB Life Mode. That would -rock-!

[Big Fo]

Izulde: yes, you can do that.

[MizzouRah]

MUST BUY!!! and I'm on vacation!!!!!!!