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MLB '09: The Show Review

07:06 PM - March 6, 2009 by RaychelSnr

Let us just get one thing out of the way, MLB 09: The Show is the best next-gen sports game yet. It is a must-own title, and anyone who is even remotely interested in baseball should consider checking it out.

It is also one of the deeper, more complex and realistic sports games I have ever gotten the chance to play. Simply put, games like High Heat and MVP can now be put on the shelf in the Sanner household because The Show has finally surpassed them.

Now, at this point of the review, I must stress that MLB 09: The Show is not perfect. There are several little bugs and interesting happenings that will make you shake your head like catchers sometimes do after a foul ball. But from my experience, these negatives only slightly detract from the overall package.

Read More - MLB '09: The Show Review

MLB '09: The Show screenshot gallery - Click to view

Game: MLB '09: The ShowReader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSPVotes for game: 90 - View All

MLB '09: The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 1 buzzguy @ 03/06/09 07:09 PM

Wow...higher score than FIFA 09 and NHL 09!
I'm skeptical...since I keep hearing the online is kind of lame compared to the EA sports titles I just mentioned...

# 2 Papi34 @ 03/06/09 07:09 PM

Thanks bud, been waiting for this and hoping for that first sentence!

# 3 Rob_NYY @ 03/06/09 07:38 PM

Great review!

Quote:


	One bug that I hope will be patched involves the Cubs playing all of their franchise home games at night (sans Sundays). This is baseball blasphemy, and the folks at SCE Studios San Diego should rectify this egregious sin.

I agree, I really hope they take care of this. People can shrug it off all they want, but it's a big deal to me and I'm not even a Cubs fan.

Other than the day games mistake, the game is as near perfect as you can get. It's amazing how great it plays right out of the box. I haven't even touched one slider. Hell, I haven't even looked at them!!

# 4 Jamin23 @ 03/06/09 07:45 PM

the commentary is not better than mlb 2k9 I'm not trying to start a war. I haven't played either game but from watching the videos of both games I think 2k9 has the better commentary, but the commentary is still great in this game from what I have heard and from playing 08 on psp

# 5 bkrich83 @ 03/06/09 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamin23


	the commentary is not better than mlb 2k9 I'm not trying to start a war. I haven't played either game but from watching the videos of both games I think 2k9 has the better commentary, but the commentary is still great in this game from what I have heard and from playing 08 on psp

Wait you're saying the commentary is better on one game than another based on video's of the game? You have actually played them?

That makes perfect sense.

# 6 Jamin23 @ 03/06/09 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrich83


	Wait you're saying the commentary is better on one game than another based on video's of the game? You have actually played them? That makes perfect sense.

I'm not trying to start a war here can't one thing be better in the other game. I love the show and am trying to get a ps3 to play it. This game is much better and it is true baseball but the commentary is better in 2k9.

# 7 HustlinOwl @ 03/06/09 08:01 PM

Agree with everything and very good post

# 8 Zorb @ 03/06/09 08:07 PM

nice review, I couldn't agree more.

# 9 Jamin23 @ 03/06/09 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottdau


	You are missing what he is saying. He is talking about how can you make that decision without playing the retail version? He only heard the video clips.

no I get his point but from the videos of both games you can clearly tell that the commentary is better in 2k9. I do like the commentary in the show also. Both games commentary has pros and cons.

# 10 longshadow11 @ 03/06/09 08:07 PM

I have to agree the one and only area 2K outdoes The Show is the commentary.

# 11 SoxFan01605 @ 03/06/09 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamin23


	no I get his point but from the videos of both games you can clearly tell that the commentary is better in 2k9. I do like the commentary in the show also. Both games commentary has pros and cons.

I think when you look at commentary, you have to look at the whole package. You are speaking on preference more than actuality, I think.

Having played both games, I can tell you that I like the flow of 2K9's commentary between the guys much better than The Show. That said, The Show's commentary has always had value in it's subtleties throughout your time with it. I heard lines just a couple months ago in 08 that I hadn't heard all year. There is very good varience there.

In 2K9, I've already heard many repeats and miscues and it's early. Seems that team specific commentary doesn't deviate from script much. This is to be expected as it's a new team.

That's the point people are trying to get you to understand...you can't base it off of watching a few videos. Obvisouly people will prefer what they prefer, but overall The Show's commentary is deeper.

Anyway, as for the review, I think it's a bit high. I love this game and am having a blast. BUT, if we're going to take 2K to task for all their bugs, the The Show deserves it too.

There is the Cubs thing (actually, the schedules as a whole apparently), The lineup issue, numerous little oddities that crop up from year to year. The fielding, while improved, is still holding this game back from perfection on the field, RTTS baserunning controls are questionable (or brutal depending on your level of drama) etc, etc.

None of those things hurt the overall quality of the game, but picture it for a moment if those things were fixed

.

I'd probably agree with the 9.5 if they patch some of the little bugs. For now, I'd say maybe 8.8-9.0 if I'm being wholly objective. Still a d*mn fine game and worth every penny IMHO.

# 12 Jamin23 @ 03/06/09 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbz06


	nice review, pretty much spot on but i sooo hope they fix the terrible online experience. It's not only the lag, but the out of sync between the animations/sounds/players is just terrible. I've had a couple of games where it was lag free for the most part, but the out of syncness kills it anyway. but offline, the game is almost flawless and i have to agree with the person that said that 2k9's commentary is better. Not saying The Show is "bad", because it's great....I just think that 2k9's sounds more realistic and natural

thank you for backing me up on the commentary. I'm not saying the game is bad because obviously I would be lying but the commentary is not up to par with 2k9

# 13 Inhocmark @ 03/06/09 08:34 PM

I'm partial to the The Show commentary, if only because I'm Gary Thorne(d) out after NHL 09

# 14 ChaseB @ 03/06/09 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoxFan01605


	I think when you look at commentary, you have to look at the whole package. You are speaking on preference more than actuality, I think. Having played both games, I can tell you that I like the flow of 2K9's commentary between the guys much better than The Show. That said, The Show's commentary has always had value in it's subtleties throughout your time with it. I heard lines just a couple months ago in 08 that I hadn't heard all year. There is very good varience there. In 2K9, I've already heard many repeats and miscues and it's early. Seems that team specific commentary doesn't deviate from script much. This is to be expected as it's a new team. That's the point people are trying to get you to understand...you can't base it off of watching a few videos. Obvisouly people will prefer what they prefer, but overall The Show's commentary is deeper. Anyway, as for the review, I think it's a bit high. I love this game and am having a blast. BUT, if we're going to take 2K to task for all their bugs, the The Show deserves it too. There is the Cubs thing (actually, the schedules as a whole apparently), The lineup issue, numerous little oddities that crop up from year to year. The fielding, while improved, is still holding this game back from perfection on the field, RTTS baserunning controls are questionable (or brutal depending on your level of drama) etc, etc. None of those things hurt the overall quality of the game, but picture it for a moment if those things were fixed. I'd probably agree with the 9.5 if they patch some of the little bugs. For now, I'd say maybe 8.8-9.0 if I'm being wholly objective. Still a d*mn fine game and worth every penny IMHO.

Yea, that's why I think the commentary is still better in The Show. More fluid and natural in 2k? Yes. But there is way more detail and so many lines etc. that The Show commentary will still feel fresh a while down the line, where as I already hear many things in 2K over and over.

I think the difference between the bugs in both games is that, The Show's you can mostly avoid from a on-the-field/controls perspective (which is obviously most important aspect to any game), but in 2K, many bugs are gameplay related, which makes them way more frustrating.

# 15 statum71 @ 03/06/09 08:47 PM

I agree 100% that this is the best sports video game period.

Now I just wish football can start to measure up.

# 16 SoxFan01605 @ 03/06/09 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseB


	Yea, that's why I think the commentary is still better in The Show. More fluid and natural in 2k? Yes. But there is way more detail and so many lines etc. that The Show commentary will still feel fresh a while down the line, where as I already hear many things in 2K over and over. I think the difference between the bugs in both games is that, The Show's you can mostly avoid from a on-the-field/controls perspective (which is obviously most important aspect to any game), but in 2K, many bugs are gameplay related, which makes them way more frustrating.

Oh, I agree. I think though, that The Show gets a bit more leeway on it's bugs than 2K does. Rightfully so in some respects, but the bugs (IMO) in The Show while not big, aren't the only thing keeping it from a "10". So a score of 9.5 doesn't even seem to take them into much consideration at all.

Plus, the reviewer's biggest gripe, besides franchise interface, was online. I don't see how a game with mediocre to poor online function PLUS a fair amount of bugs deserves such a high score...and I don't even play online...lol

Just seems that 2K9 ended up getting the critique piled on (on top of the bigger issues) while The Show's were kind of like "oh yeah...it's not perfect."

I used to do QA work and when we audited people, the more we found, the more we looked. The more we looked, the more we found...lol. I think that's likely at play a bit here.

Different reviewers though, I get it. Plus, it's all opinion and as I said, without the bugs I could buy it as a 9.5.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbz06


	The difference between The Show's bugs and 2k9's, is that The Show's bugs don't derail the gameplay and arn't core design or AI glitches that ruin the experience. In The Show, the small bugs are very basic and can go unnoticed for the most part. I mean, yea the Cubs schedule thing might be a big deal but it doesn't affect gameplay at all. Same thing with some of the franchise and RTTS "bugs". They're more like complaints than actual bugs.

lol...I had a feeling that comment would generate the most attention...oops. It wasn't the main point. Forgot that mentioning the "other game" in the opposing forums is dangerous...lol.

Seriously though, I get that. I'm not saying the games should be anywhere close in score

.

I'm just saying that even the smaller gripes in 2K9 got attention, while The Show's got mostly brushed aside. Some of them are quite legit and can detract from an otherwise great experience. Not saying that from a personal standpoint (I only have issue with the lineup issue...which can seemingly be worked around anyway).

anyway, it's no biggie, and as I said above, it's different reviewers and opinions. that leads to different focus as well. Just an observation is all.

# 17 RaychelSnr @ 03/06/09 08:59 PM

Yeah, to me....the bugs weren't a huge deal at all. To some people it might be, but none of them particularly made the gameplay experience any less. I honestly feel this game was so very close to being our first 10 in a long time, I'm going to post a blog on it this weekend or early next week.

But I mean, just earlier today I saw that the guys in the bullpen disappeared for an inning but you could still see the ball floating out there like a ghost was throwing in the bullpen. There are a ton of little things like that which happen but are more comedic than anything else. They do take away from being able to suspend belief, as they remind you that you are playing a game, but in the end....09 The Show is the best next-gen game and probably the best baseball game released to this point. MVP 05 modded up on the PC is pretty close, but I think we have a new king for the sport.

# 18 SoxFan01605 @ 03/06/09 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMChrisS


	Yeah, to me....the bugs weren't a huge deal at all. To some people it might be, but none of them particularly made the gameplay experience any less. I honestly feel this game was so very close to being our first 10 in a long time, I'm going to post a blog on it this weekend or early next week. in the end....09 The Show is the best next-gen game and probably the best baseball game released to this point. MVP 05 modded up on the PC is pretty close, but I think we have a new king for the sport.

All nit-picking on details aside, in the end this is the main point. You're right. Best console sports game by a pretty fair margin, IMO. I personally thought it outshined MVP already, but with the upgrades made this year, it's even more clear. The only thing I still like better about MVP is the way the fielding was.

I always thought this series felt more like a much more refined version of ASB...I see a lot of influence from that series here in terms of appearance and details (which is fine by me. ASB 04/05 was tops for console baseball to me). Gameplay though is another story...lol...as ASB was not near the same level as MVP or The Show.

Anyway, looking forward to the blog

# 19 teambayern @ 03/06/09 09:25 PM

Let's end the debate on commentary. You guys want more variation, and he wants a more natural, flowing, broadcast style. He heard it on a video, but I'm guessing it sounds the same as when you hear it through your tv, He doesn't care that there might be repeats, he cares about the style of it. Both games have great commentary.

# 20 Spaced Ace @ 03/06/09 09:32 PM

Nice review, I expected it t get between a 9 and a 9.5.

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