MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

[kingdevin]

...that own BOTH games. There are many comments/criticisms on the forums made by many who do not have 2k6. dedicate this thread to owners of both games who wish to give their opinions and compare via the use of supported evidence. (I got this idea from another thread).

Please break down comparions in terms of:

Gameplay (i.e. pitching batting interface, baserunning, etc.. take into consideration gameplay BEFORE and AFTER slider adjustments)
AI (Decisions by the computer - are they accurate in terms of representing b-BALL)
Graphics (which includes motion capture animation/throwing animation/Presentation)
Camera angles (i.e. variety and whether each game provides viable angles for hitting and fielding)
Miscellaneous (includes any other areas of comparison u would like to include i.e. )

Those who are reviewing can give a number rating from 1 to 10 and a supported reason for their numerical score (ie concrete examples of what they experienced by playing both games).

PLEASE DONT POST HERE IF U DO NOT OWN BOTH GAMES OR HAVE NOTHING CONSTRUCTIVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS THREAD. WE DO NOT NEED SILLY TROLLING BY THOSE WHO JUST WANT TO SAY SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. THIS THREAD IS FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES BY MATURE GAMERS...

[bkrich83]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

...that own BOTH games. There are many comments/criticisms on the forums made by many who do not have 2k6. dedicate this thread to owners of both games who wish to give their opinions and compare via the use of supported evidence. (I got this idea from another thread).

Please break down comparions in terms of:

Gameplay (i.e. pitching batting interface, baserunning, etc.. take into consideration gameplay BEFORE and AFTER slider adjustments)
AI (Decisions by the computer - are they accurate in terms of representing b-BALL)
Graphics (which includes motion capture animation/throwing animation/Presentation)
Camera angles (i.e. variety and whether each game provides viable angles for hitting and fielding)
Miscellaneous (includes any other areas of comparison u would like to include i.e. )

Those who are reviewing can give a number rating from 1 to 10 and a supported reason for their numerical score (ie concrete examples of what they experienced by playing both games).

PLEASE DONT POST HERE IF U DO NOT OWN BOTH GAMES OR HAVE NOTHING CONSTRUCTIVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS THREAD. WE DO NOT NEED SILLY TROLLING BY THOSE WHO JUST WANT TO SAY SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. THIS THREAD IS FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES BY MATURE GAMERS...

Why not just rent both and see for yourself?

[chknwang321]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

I like the batting in 2k6 batter, becuase they use the analog stick well and the show doesnt have a anolog stick.
I like the pitching in the show better becuase its like mvp, and you dont always pitch it right where you want it. Its more like you pick where you want it to be.
baserunning definetly goes to the show. Becuase 2k6 is glitch running and they round bases at weird times.

AI goes to the show when talking about baserunning, for the reason i stated earlier.
But the AI is better with 2k6 at other times, do to the inside edge feature.

I think the graphics are better in the show compared to the xbox and ps2 2k6. the colors are more dull and realistic.
but im gonna get the 36o version which will have better graphics then both.

I like the behind the pitcher view in 2k6, but the batting view is too far back. the show's batting view is better.

2k6(xbox)=8
the show=9

Since there will be changes in the 360 version im hoping ill give that a 8.5 or 9

[kingdevin]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

I like the batting in 2k6 batter, becuase they use the analog stick well and the show doesnt have a anolog stick.
I like the pitching in the show better becuase its like mvp, and you dont always pitch it right where you want it. Its more like you pick where you want it to be.
baserunning definetly goes to the show. Becuase 2k6 is glitch running and they round bases at weird times.

AI goes to the show when talking about baserunning, for the reason i stated earlier.
But the AI is better with 2k6 at other times, do to the inside edge feature.

I think the graphics are better in the show compared to the xbox and ps2 2k6. the colors are more dull and realistic.
but im gonna get the 36o version which will have better graphics then both.

I like the behind the pitcher view in 2k6, but the batting view is too far back. the show's batting view is better.

2k6(xbox)=8
the show=9

Since there will be changes in the 360 version im hoping ill give that a 8.5 or 9

thank you...your analysis was helpful. Hopefully others will follow suit

[chknwang321]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

glad i could help

[Seton Hall]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

I like the batting in 2k6 batter, becuase they use the analog stick well and the show doesnt have a anolog stick.

The Show does use the analog stick for batting. In fact in Veteran,All-Star, and Hall of Fame mode if you don't use it you will barely ever hit the ball. In The Show you also have the ability to guess the pitch type and location. I also own both games but I disagree with you on this point.

[ehh]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

I played 12-15 games in 2k6 before selling it on Ebay. I've played 9 games in The Show since I purchased it over the weekend. For the record, I've been a huge 2k baseball fan since the game came out on Xbox and I'd never played a previous version of the MLB series since the PSOne days.


Gameplay
Both games play okay out of the box. 2k6 offers way more sliders than The Show. The gameplay in both games is solid and very fun. Hitting and pitching are the highlights for both games, while fielding and baserunning are ehhhh.

The pitching in 2k6 is the best I've ever seen in a video game. Fun, realistic, and I don't think it'll ever get old. I really like the hit-stick feature and you have great control at the plate. Fielding is the downer here. Some people don't have any problems and some people hate it. I guess you'll have to play for yourself and make your own judgement.

The Show's classic pitching is giving me fits so far because I haven't quite figured it out yet (because the instructions are awful) and I'm not a huge fan of meter pitching. Hitting is basic zone hitting - the guess pitching is fun and forces you to be patient but some view it as cheese or being too easy. I absolutely hate the base running in The Show, I turned auto-base running on. The fielding is okay, on too many fly balls I have trouble getting right under the ball and the OF has to lunge to catch it at the last minute - that might be that I suck though. On default, fielder's arms are WAY to strong and accurate but sliders quickly fix that.

Also, the speed of the game feels more natural in The Show than 2k6. 2k6 feels a bit rushed and arcady.

Overall I'd give The Show a slight edge.

AI
The AI in 2k6 is my main gripe with the game. Too many bad decisions and things that just make you scratch your head. One game I had a roller hit to Robinson Cano at 2B, and instead of covering first base Giambi sprinted all the way to the RF wall. I was playing against the Red Sox and they had a runner on 3rd with no one out and Manny hit a fly ball to the warning track in RF but the runner didn't tag and go home. There are several things like this that ultimately ruined the game for me - the CPU always taking their starter out in the 6th inning even if they're throwing a no-hitter, etc. In all fairness though, if you check the slider forum a month from now I'm sure you'll find most these items fixed by the great slider-creators on OS, hopefully at least.

Ultimately, the AI is broken in 2k6 and I'm not going to spend hours and hours fixing the game like with 2k5. Plus, I don't know if things such as runners not tagging/advancing on fly balls can be fixed. No game should be released that has AI as flawed as 2k6. However, like I mentioned above, due to sliders the game may be nearly fixed within a month.

The Show's AI what a baseball game's should be. It's nothing that'll knock you off your feet, but it's rock solid and what you expect.


Graphics
Tons of people bash 2k6's graphics but I love them. I don't think they're bad at all to look at. The animations on the other hands are a little shoddy. The throw and swing animations still leave something to be desired but aren't awful by any means - 2k baseball games have never really had stellar animations or graphics but there gameplay was always amazing, IMO.

The Show's graphics are a little bit better, but the animiations are head and shoulders about 2k6's. The presentation and announcing are about even, though 2k6 seems to make more mistakes in the booth. Miller and Morgan will say something that does not match what's going on on the field a little too often. Not a game-killer to me by any means.

The cutscenes in The Show are quite a bit better than 2k6's, IMO.

Camera angles
I haven't really played with the camera angles too much but I have no problem with them in either game. Both offer several hitting/pitching/fielding views that have custom zooming options. I have no beef in either game. The behind-the-pitching view/interface is much better in 2k6. It's a preference, but I prefer the fielding view in The Show.


Other/Extras
I figured I'd add my own paragraph on this. The Show really shines here, the cutscenes and little things are great. 2k6 often has cutscenes that are out of sequence or don't sync up with what's happening on the field. The only thing that really bugs me with The Show is the lack of free agents in the game (Clemens, Molina, etc). You can create them obvioulsy, but it's definately strange/annoying not having them in there.

I never have and never will play online so I can't comment on that for either game.

The other main thing (depending on how much you play it) is franchise/career/season mode. From what I gathered in the week I owned 2k6, this mode is broken again. The stats during simming are way off and stats for your players go haywire too. I never saw the "pitcher hitting for the DH in an AL park" glitch which is good. If stats aren't that important to you, then you can overlook this issue.


Overall Score for 2k6: 6.5
Overall Score for The Show: 9

Bottom Line
2k6 is simply a flawed game. If you want to take time and try to fix it you may be in for a pleasant suprise. But my feeling is that even if 2k6 is "fixed" it still will not be as good of a baseball experience as The Show. I sold my Xbox simply to buy The Show. That's how good of a game it is.

[jim416]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

ehh,

Think you gave a fair comparison. I use only CLASSIC pitching. It's pressure sensitive. I was throwing way to many wild pitches with men in scoring position. I took advice and backed off the button a bit in pressure situations.
Use the fade ball icon until you get a feel for how the ball breaks as it won't go where you aim, for a curveball for example, but that's where the break will start.

The pressure sensitive pitches really seems to shine when you get ahead of a batter and want to throw a high hard one up and in.

[ehh]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

ehh,

Think you gave a fair comparison. I use only CLASSIC pitching. It's pressure sensitive. I was throwing way to many wild pitches with men in scoring position. I took advice and backed off the button a bit in pressure situations.
Use the fade ball icon until you get a feel for how the ball breaks as it won't go where you aim, for a curveball for example, but that's where the break will start.

The pressure sensitive pitches really seems to shine when you get ahead of a batter and want to throw a high hard one up and in.

It still has my scratching my head. Some of the guys in the thread on classic pitching suggested lowering the Pitch Count slider because I had it maxed and hopefully that will help me.

I'm wondering if each pitch has a different sensativity you have to throw it on for the best accuracy. Eg: breaking balls you have to hold X down longer, fastballs hold X down less? I could be way off.

I just tapped X once on several occassions and still threw wild pitches. I'm pretty much still clueless on how it works.

[Gary Armida]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

I'll ask a question here if I may...Does IE add something that really adds to the strategy of baseball that the Show lacks. I love the show, but IE has always made me curious. If it was that awesome, I would much prefer the scouting area over making advertising decisions (although I like that too). Any thoughts?

[ehh]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

I'll ask a question here if I may...Does IE add something that really adds to the strategy of baseball that the Show lacks. I love the show, but IE has always made me curious. If it was that awesome, I would much prefer the scouting area over making advertising decisions (although I like that too). Any thoughts?

I don't think IE adds anything incredibly amazing because I don't think it works all that realisticlly. It seems to have the same strategy with alot of hitters and it's not all that life-like.

For example, throwing Giambi high fastballs as pitchers do in real life isn't found in the game.

I was playing a game against the Indians and Posada called the exact same pitch six straight times (a slider that missed outside).

Also when hitting, I purchased the IE for several pitchers and most of their IE was the same. On the first pitch of an at bat, the midde-outside zone was red and the zone just outside of the strike zone up and away and low and away was red for tons of pitchers. When they fell behind, the low and in and middle in spots became red. It just seem very scripted and not unique.


It's a nice idea, but I'm afraid it's alot of fluff.

[jim416]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

ehh,

also try this. When you're pitcher gets in a jam, look at his CONFIDENCE. It will be down. Do a mound visit and his CONFIDENCE will increase somewhat. Stay away from those big breaking pitches. Man, if I hold down a slider, for example, and aim for the center of the zone, or corner it will go sailing when CONFIDENCE is down. It is also evident that every pitchers BREAK for particular pitches is really noticeable. Take a look at your team and see how different the breaks are for their breaking pitches. It's obvious, so it takes a little learning of your pitchers tendencies.

[ehh]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

Jim,

Thanks for the advice, I've honestly never checked my pitcher's confidence before. I assume it can be found when you press select?

[jim416]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

Yes, and if he gives up, let's say a single and double back to back, men on first and third, hit SELECT and take a look. It will (may) be down. I'll try it out in a game later today (switching sides and mound visit) to see if it works. If it does it will be a fix, perhaps. I'm not seeing the problem others are, but I understand it. Heck I played my eight game yesterday the the CPU tried two more stolen base attempts.

One thing I did do last night was go in and lower all the catchers arm strength and accuracy a couple clicks as it appears they throw out too many stolen base attempts. Haven't played a game to see if it's made a difference though.

[Gary Armida]

Re: MLB the Show v MLB 2k6 only for those...

I don't think IE adds anything incredibly amazing because I don't think it works all that realisticlly. It seems to have the same strategy with alot of hitters and it's not all that life-like.

For example, throwing Giambi high fastballs as pitchers do in real life isn't found in the game.

I was playing a game against the Indians and Posada called the exact same pitch six straight times (a slider that missed outside).

Also when hitting, I purchased the IE for several pitchers and most of their IE was the same. On the first pitch of an at bat, the midde-outside zone was red and the zone just outside of the strike zone up and away and low and away was red for tons of pitchers. When they fell behind, the low and in and middle in spots became red. It just seem very scripted and not unique.


It's a nice idea, but I'm afraid it's alot of fluff.

That's what I was afraid of. Thanks for getting back to me. I do this every year--I am more than satisfied with a game and then I begin to wonder if I am playing the "best game". I guess I am this year. Thanks again.