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Developer: SCEA
Publisher: SCEA
Genre: Sports
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 12 Apr 05
User Rating
9.2 (21 votes) -
- One of 989 Studios' better titles and now you can play it on the go. Retains the playability, but not the depth of its PS2 version.
More Screens (3 total)
Overview
Is it just me or does the game of baseball seem to have a lot of problems? Whether it is fans taking swings at a player, or the players "juicing" it up, the sport of baseball is going through a lot this year. So if you're tired of all the hustle and bustle of the actual MLB, then 989 Sports has a nice alternative for you in MLB for the Sony PSP. Is the first baseball game on the PSP a great one? Read our full review to find out!
Gameplay
You know when you think about such a vast game like the game of baseball making its way onto a handheld I think you just sit back and wonder if the game is really going to be up to snuff with today's standards. So did 989 Sports make a good transition from the PS2 to the PSP?
So from the transition we did lose some of the PS2's mode selections, which include the career and franchise mode being two of probably the more important modes that are left out in this game. With that being said, you get the basic selection of game modes that really doesn't give you a whole lot of depth that I think we have become pretty accustomed to with this generation of sports titles.
Even with the absence of those modes, the game does however retain the pretty solid gameplay of its PS2 version on the PSP. Batting on the PSP is done how you would expect it to, just by aiming at where the pitch is going and then pressing the hit button. Pitching on the other hand can be done pretty simply as well just picking one of four pitches aiming and working with the meter. And finally onto fielding which once again works as easy as it gets and it just works on the PSP.
The whole process is pretty easy, and to be honest anyone who has played a baseball game on the consoles could easily pick up and play this game. Going into this review, I really was worried about the game of baseball fitting onto the PSP but I must say 989 Sports proved me wrong by offering up an experience that just quite plainly worked. The gameplay wasn't anything revolutionary and it was kind of disappointing that the game didn't include either the career or the franchise, but I guess that just leaves more room for the next iteration (if there is one). Overall the gameplay of MLB was just plain solid. and although there are things we would have liked to see in the game like a franchise mode, the gameplay and the game itself do make for an entertaining baseball game.
Graphics
The translation for the visuals from the PS2 to the PSP was actually some of the better ones that the PSP has seen thus far. I must say that the overall look of the PS2 version was good and to be able to take this to the PSP was probably even more of an accomplishment then was the PS2 version.
The character models in the game take a little hit, but to be honest they just don't seem as detailed as they were. The one thing I must say I was impressed with was how well the game performed with little to no slowdown and a very nice sleek look. Also the environments in the game were just really well done and I just think the actual look of the game I just really was quite impressed.
Fun Factor
MLB is a game that really just takes a good game on the PS2 and translates into an equally good game on the PSP. I must say that the game just plays quite well and although there is not a whole of depth, there is the multiplayer support, which is always a great addition to any sports games. Although I would have had more fun with a bit more depth what was offered up in this game was fun enough.
Overall
If you ok with not getting a whole lot of depth, but are just looking for a fun baseball game to play on your PSP, then MLB is a great game for you. But if you're looking for depth, this game just does not have all the ingredients we are used to.
- Gameplay
8.0 - Graphics
8.0 - Fun Factor
8.0 - Overall
8.0
