Why all my love now goes to MLB 09 The Show and MLB 2k9 won't even get a sniff - thescoop's Blog

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Why all my love now goes to MLB 09 The Show and MLB 2k9 won't even get a sniff Stuck

Posted on January 14, 2009 at 12:20 AM.

(6)

Color me impressed. I was already going to get this game day one, but now I'm pre-ordering it tomorrow. One thing is clear, the developers of this game listen to boards.

The franchise mode seems to have every improvement we could want. I'm blown away with what they've added this year. In an age where we are often disappointed by our sports titles, it seems the devs behind The Show isn't ready to disappoint us.

Last year I picked up MLB 2k8 on day one because I didn't have a Playstation 3, just a 360. While I didn't hate it as much as some, I did feel all the hype didn't match the finished product.

Then I got a PS3 and shortly after, I picked up the show. After that it was off to the trade-in bin for 2k8 and the 2k series I'm leaving behind for good.

I'm not hating on those that still are going to pick up MLB 2k9, but I'm done. I felt they stole my money with 2k6. The game was released with a killing bug that wasn't fixed for a month. I couldn't get my money back. I just had to wait till they actually fixed it. And the graphics looked like they could have been the Xbox 1 version.

Then came MLB 2k7. A good game, but it was more what 2k6 should have been. I enjoyed it and logged some time with that game, but it was still lacking. It was a shame that they just released the game that should have been released a year earlier.

Finally the death nail for me: MLB 2k8. It was buggy mess that never felt right. I did like what they did with the pitching, but at the same time I didn't. And the hit stick was just so easy to get a hit with. The graphics were a step backwards from 2k7.

The biggest new feature was a card game I couldn't have card less about. Instead of focusing on features we actually wanted, they gave us a card game. Some found it to be fun, but I could have cared less about the feature.

I was trapped. Now for the second time in two years I had a game I couldn't play and a company that proved it was lost. Once a patch came, I made myself like the game, but was never in love with it. I only made myself like it cause I needed my baseball fix and as I just said, I was trapped.

I had read all these great things on these very forums about MLB 08 The Show, but with no PS3 it wasn't an option. That was until May. I picked up the new GB with Metal Gear Solid 4. I was such a huge fan of the MGS series I knew I was getting one when 4 came out.

Still, I didn't get The Show right away. I already had 2k8 and was set to just end the season with it. I mean I had already played past the all-star game so I must stick to it. But then I found The Show on sale for $39.99 and decided to give it a try.

I was wowed right away. The reactions of the crowd, the announcers, it just seemed like real baseball. I was finally home. After a few years of no choice, I had one and it was a clear one.

Now that I see what we are getting with our dynasty options, stuff like 40 man rosters, Rule V Draft (see my blog about why I wanted it), waiver wire and other things we've wanted for a long time I know this is still going to be home for me.

Now to all those without a PS3, I'm not hating on 2k9. I really hope its a good game. I believe it will be better too than last year. I just finally have a choice and for me it is too little, too late. I gave them three shots. After 2k6, I shouldn't have even given them a second.

So sorry to the 2k team. Sony and their brilliant MLB The Show is now my love and I hope it is a long lasting one.

Comments

# 1 rudyjuly2 @ Jan 14

Definitely a great game. I honestly don't know why people would buy the PS3 version of 2K baseball when the Show is so good.

# 2 ASB37 @ Jan 14

Yeah the Show really restored my faith in baseball video games after ASB and MVP stopped making their games. I doubt I'd be playing baseball on any system if not for them. The guys at devs are really the best that I've seen at listening to what we want and delivering (for the most part). That is why I voted for them when it came for best company interaction. I can't wait for 09!

# 3 RaychelSnr @ Jan 14

Definitely agree with ya on this one...The Show has renewed my faith not just in baseball games, but the sport in general.

# 4 magoo1967 @ Jan 15

I also felt completely ripped off by 2K6, but I was lucky enough to get a decent store mgr to issue me a refund (whew). I was so jazzed for that game because it was the first baseball game on a "next gen" system (PS3 wasn't out yet). I remember all those months of anticipation quickly turning to crushing disappointment at I experienced game killing crash after crash. On the upside, this is how I discovered The Show (used refund $$ to buy the PS2 version of MLB 06). Now that I've experienced how good baseball gaming can be with The Show, I doubt I'll ever buy a 2K baseball game again. I will continue to rent each year's version just to see what it has to offer, but I've yet to feel like I want to fork over my $60 again.