Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

**ehh** · 02-17-2009, 12:36 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

Thanks for the honest review so far Steve. The two big issues mentioned in the article are pretty serious concerns, it will be interesting to see how the retail is.

**Jistic** · 02-17-2009, 01:06 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

Great stuff Steve, thanks. Please let us know when 2K gets back to you about the issues being fixed in the retail version.

**Speaklogic** · 02-17-2009, 02:10 PM

Im sorry, I just can't forgive 2K for putting out such a HORRENDOUS & FLAWED baseball game last year. I'd rather go out and buy a PS3 and play the other sim game.

**NumberOneRB** · 02-17-2009, 02:18 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

I guess all defensive dives/jumps have been delegated to the "X" button now? Maybe I'm mistaken and this was actually how it was done in 2K8, but I use to love being able to do certain dives and jumps defensively with the right stick. I suppose that would interfere with the base throwing though.

**BadKermit** · 02-17-2009, 03:17 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

Originally posted by NumberOneRB

I guess all defensive dives/jumps have been delegated to the "X" button now? Maybe I'm mistaken and this was actually how it was done in 2K8, but I use to love being able to do certain dives and jumps defensively with the right stick. I suppose that would interfere with the base throwing though.

Not really, though. MVP NCAA 2006 had the dives and the throws mapped to the right thumbstick, and I never had a problem with it.

Qb · 02-17-2009, 03:52 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

Late to the party... Steve's impressions are encouraging in some ways and discouraging in others. I watched most of the videos and things look OK, but I'm left with some basic issues/questions regarding the game:

1. Framerate -- No need to elaborate, hopefully it will be ironed out. I'll be really disappointed if online is unplayable again...

2. AI Pitching Logic -- I didn't see any mention of this by Steve, but will the AI still throw illogical pitches? All the high breaking & offspeed stuff grew very tiresome after a month or two in 2K8, especially since it was overly effective.

3. AI Baserunning -- Another issue that wore on me over time last year. It takes so much away from the strategy of the game when you never have to worry about the running game. Hopefully we'll see steals and hit & runs in appropriate situations...

4. AI Batting -- I was able to get the AI batters to behave somewhat realistically via sliders in 2K8, but it sounds like it could be an issue. If they removed the AI Batting tendency sliders, that would be a bummer...

5. AI Fielding -- The overdone diving and uber-range of CPU fielders was as big a drag on hit variety as any bat/ball physics issues.

A few positives -- As I said before, things look good... Commentary sounds passable, but repetition is inevitable and I guess must be accepted... I really like the 'dead-center' pitching camera that ESPN & other networks use occasionally, so it was awesome that it's there or can be made with customization... Pitch trajectories/movement look good and it was nice to see batters fooled by speed... NO MEATBALLS! (right?

)

And a question for Steve if he can answer it -- can we turn off the pitching cursor? I always found that this upped the difficulty and lead to more balls/walks by the user when pitching...

**wsu_gb23** · 02-17-2009, 03:55 PM

Why is there never any info on the PS3 version? Is this cause for concern?

**bigfnjoe96** · 02-17-2009, 04:11 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

Originally posted by wsu_gb23

Why is there never any info on the PS3 version? Is this cause for concern?

It's a port from the 360 version. So most info out right now should pertain also to the PS3

**fistofrage** · 02-17-2009, 04:18 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

Originally posted by wsu_gb23

Why is there never any info on the PS3 version? Is this cause for concern?

Probably because if you had a PS3 you wouldn't be considering this as an option.

**JoshCA916** · 02-17-2009, 04:51 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

Originally posted by fistofrage

Probably because if you had a PS3 you wouldn't be considering this as an option.

wow how i grow tired of reading this statement, just because somebody owns a ps3 means they can't prefer 2k over the show, i chose to go with a ps3 over 360 because i had a ps2 and liked it, i played 2k baseball on my ps2 and it was the same on the xbox and ps2 so since i upgraded to next gen and chose the ps3 that means i can't like 2k baseball and if they were just as good on both systems then doesnt mean that 2k should not try to make a good game for the ps3 vs. the 360 now, there is no excuse for the game not to be the same, i am sorry but the show wasn't a good game until 07 i played it in 06 vs. 2k6 and the show was a sad game then, it has come along way now and i think is a good game, but i prefer 2k baseball as it gives me more of a next gen feel

**K_GUN** · 02-17-2009, 05:15 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

have player sunglasses been removed?

**fistofrage** · 02-17-2009, 05:53 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

Originally posted by JoshCA916

wow how i grow tired of reading this statement, just because somebody owns a ps3 means they can't prefer 2k over the show, i chose to go with a ps3 over 360 because i had a ps2 and liked it, i played 2k baseball on my ps2 and it was the same on the xbox and ps2 so since i upgraded to next gen and chose the ps3 that means i can't like 2k baseball and if they were just as good on both systems then doesnt mean that 2k should not try to make a good game for the ps3 vs. the 360 now, there is no excuse for the game not to be the same, i am sorry but the show wasn't a good game until 07 i played it in 06 vs. 2k6 and the show was a sad game then, it has come along way now and i think is a good game, but i prefer 2k baseball as it gives me more of a next gen feel

I've never played the show because I don'tr have a PS3, but I will tell you that you would be in the vast majority of people I have encountered who have a Ps3 and prefer 2k over the show. In fact I know numerous people who have purchased a PS3 for the sole purpose of playing The Show.

**scoobywho** · 02-17-2009, 08:36 PM

wont be better than the show 09 no matter what 2k does.. they never put enough effort into there GAMEPLAY department

**stealyerface** · 02-17-2009, 09:41 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

They're putting their effort into the gameplay. But, hopefully there will be some great strides made there. Not unlike your grammar.

**ShowTyme15** · 02-17-2009, 11:49 PM

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Hands-On Preview

Originally posted by K_GUN

have player sunglasses been removed?

no they still have sunglasses.