Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

[dlk90514]

I'm a teacher and yesterday we had an unexpected early dismissal, so I had more free time than I usually do. I spent that playing my favorite game (MLB The Show of course), but I was feeling a little nostalgic. I ended up going all the way back to the first iteration of The Show that I ever played... MLB The Show 09 for PS3. Surprisingly, or maybe not, it actually holds up over time better than I thought it would. The graphics are still pretty good especially for a game developed in 2008. The gameplay hasn't changed too much either, I missed being able to swing for contact (not yet in the franchise at that time). I actually was enjoying a lot of the cutscenes that were in the game back then, again this was before the realtime presentation. I played two games Yankees @ Red Sox (me) and Chicago Cubs @ Philly (me). Overall I saw some things that I miss that I think could definitely be brought back. The fielding, to me, was a little more varied in that version. Guys would misplay balls, bobble them, have balls go right under their glove for errors, dive with balls bouncing off their glove, etc. It just seemed a little more dynamic than what I'm used to with MLB The Show 15. I liked how the fielders always hit the cutoff unless they needed to throw to a base, and would just run the ball in instead of making unnecessary throws a base ahead. Overall, playing with those rosters, which was fun in-itself, made me realize why I feel in love with this series.

Anyways, to get back on track, I think my favorite iteration of the show might be MLB The Show 09 on PS3. It was such a change from playing MLB 2k7, 8, and 9 on the 360 that it really has a special place in my heart. I played full seasons in franchise mode in The Show 09, 10, 11, 12 (two full seasons with the Orioles; got me threw my senior year of college; still play from time to time), 14, and 15. MLB The Show 13 didn't get played a ton, because I got a new TV and it really lagged for me, plus the changes made to guess pitch that year made it almost impossible for me to adjust.

It happened again... MLB The Show 09 is my favorite. What is yours?

[armymule]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

MLB13 for the PS3 was my favorite. MLB14 on the PS4 felt like a step backward. It was expected though because it was a new system. I was hoping MLB15 would be better but was disappointed. Some things got removed that made the game less enjoyable for me.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

On PS3 - MLB 12

On PS4 - easily MLB 15


MLB 15 for me is the best period. I have gone back and played previous versions (especially MLB 12 as I have such a deep catalog of classic rosters for that version) and they all hold up. I do miss certain presentation aspects of 11 and 12 that were neutered on 14 and 15. But for me gameplay wise 15 is supreme no question about it. From AI, fielding, pitching, pitch trajectories, ball physics and the new speed paradigm it's no wonder I play 15 almost daily.

[MatrixTN]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

Probably 09 on PS3, 08 on PS2 was my first. Best laughers were doing Ricky Vaughn (Major League) as a closer in RTTS.

Drafted by Marlins, MLB debut with them. Also played for Brewers (500th career save was with them against Indians IN Cleveland, bet Harry Doyle/Bob Uecker had a cow with that one!), Phils and Braves. Retired with at least 1000 saves while getting into a career saves fight with Mo Rivera. Also passed K-Rod for the season saves record (though commentary still had Bobby Thigpen's 57 at the time). I think I still have some newspaper screens from it, I'll check next time I flip on the PS3. Best one I read was probably after a road A hauling of the Red Sox. (the only thing intriguing about the game were the boat races they show on the jumbo between innings).

Incidentally, MLB 09 was how I met TN - Braves Fan (who had an SotS ? that I answered if memory serves).

[Turbojugend]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

15/PS4, without a a doubt. Sure I miss stuff like SotS and classic stadiums, but 15 is the most complete and enjoyable baseball video game I've ever played, going all the way back to Baseball Stars on NES.

[tnixen]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

Far from perfect but MLB 15 The Show PS4 version is the best!!!

[dalger21]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

MLB '08. It was the most time I spent with and it was the most fun to me.

[dlk90514]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

Far from perfect but MLB 15 The Show PS4 version is the best!!!

I would agree with you 15 is the best, but SCEA wouldn't be the company they are, with the following they have for this game if every version wasn't better than the one preceding it, at least in someway. Does that make MLB 15 The Show on PS4 your favorite?

[TheWarmWind]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

09 was also my first. MLB 15 is easily my favourite hands down, but to put up a less boring answer, I really enjoyed MLB 12 the show. Definitely the one I played the most. It was also the only one where I played a fantasy draft team. I have fond memories of that team, I thought I did a really good job drafting it (also I got lucky).

[brrmikey]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

I've been playing since PS2 days...MLB 15 The Show PS4 is the best baseball game every made...no question for me and my personal opinion. But I did:

1. Love Zone+Analog Hitting with Stride
2. Love when they added to one year's title the 'Real Broadcast' option...can't remember exactly what it was called but it was when there were no cutscenes...I just knew they were going to take that to the next level, but it seemed to get scrapped
3. Love the slow pace and realistic approach the game took at the representation of real life baseball; I don't like the fact that things are cut short to speed up the pace of the game when using Broadcast Mode (i.e throw back from catcher to pitcher is interrupted mid throw; certain instances where batter walk-up sequence is truncated; the camera not following fouls into the stands very much anymore)

#3 above is my biggest gripe. I loved the days I could sit back and take in the slow pace of baseball when I had the time (weekends) and only have to hit x to rush through a game when I was strapped for time....because of this, I feel a bit of baseball authenticity was lost with this year's version. But overall, all things considered, I feel this years game is still the best to date.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

I've been playing since PS2 days...MLB 15 The Show PS4 is the best baseball game every made...no question for me and my personal opinion. But I did:

1. Love Zone+Analog Hitting with Stride
2. Love when they added to one year's title the 'Real Broadcast' option...can't remember exactly what it was called but it was when there were no cutscenes...I just knew they were going to take that to the next level, but it seemed to get scrapped
3. Love the slow pace and realistic approach the game took at the representation of real life baseball; I don't like the fact that things are cut short to speed up the pace of the game when using Broadcast Mode (i.e throw back from catcher to pitcher is interrupted mid throw; certain instances where batter walk-up sequence is truncated; the camera not following fouls into the stands very much anymore)

#3 above is my biggest gripe. I loved the days I could sit back and take in the slow pace of baseball when I had the time (weekends) and only have to hit x to rush through a game when I was strapped for time....because of this, I feel a bit of baseball authenticity was lost with this year's version. But overall, all things considered, I feel this years game is still the best to date.

I agree with number 3 big time.

[bukktown]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

Mlb 11.

They introduced challenge of the week and I won a bunch of prizes.
It was pretty incredible.

[Turbojugend]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

3. Love the slow pace and realistic approach the game took at the representation of real life baseball; I don't like the fact that things are cut short to speed up the pace of the game when using Broadcast Mode (i.e throw back from catcher to pitcher is interrupted mid throw; certain instances where batter walk-up sequence is truncated; the camera not following fouls into the stands very much anymore)

So true. I forgot how much they cut out of 15 until you mentioned it.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

Ps3 2011 - 2013 mainly because of SOTS but the last two years on ps4 have been almost as good

[NEOPARADIGM]

Re: Favorite Iteration of MLB The Show

3. Love the slow pace and realistic approach the game took at the representation of real life baseball; I don't like the fact that things are cut short to speed up the pace of the game when using Broadcast Mode (i.e throw back from catcher to pitcher is interrupted mid throw; certain instances where batter walk-up sequence is truncated; the camera not following fouls into the stands very much anymore)

This is my #1 complaint with 15. Like you said, the catcher can't even finish his throw back to the pitcher before it jump-cuts half the time; while batting, the between-pitches animations are almost never allowed to finish.

They mentioned something about them doing this because people didn't like it or something, but then they had no problem leaving in 15-second cuts of the ballboy or consistently long closeup cutscenes of the pitcher. Makes no sense.