Official Website

Platform: PSP

Genre: Sports

Number of Players: 1 + online

I really do suck at sports games.

With that in mind, I was a bit surprised when Sony shipped a review copy of MLB ’06: The Show for review on the PSP. We’ve long taken a stance against reviewing sports games, simply because there are too many of them for one thing. While racing titles and extreme sports (as well as a wrestling game or two) are all part of our review content, baseball, basketball and anything else that might use the word “ball” in it has been avoided. However, the other stance has been that if it shows up for review, it will in fact get covered. Now, I’m not necessarily a baseball fan. I’ve been to a few Mariners games, I’ve watched games on television a time or two, and I may even have the Mariners game on in the background as I’m writing this, but I’m certainly not one who would go out of his way to watch sports of any sort. However, MLB ’06: The Show is probably on the single best baseball titles that you will find on the PSP and very addictive to play.

For a novice, such as myself, the game fortunately has a number of different settings that can be tweaked in order to get a little more used to the feel and play of the game, but it doesn’t leave all-stars out who buy every new baseball game when they come out. If you’re a beginner, you can stick simply to batting and pitching while letting the computer handle everything else. There are some great features though regardless of how you choose to set up the game. Using the guess pitch method while at bat is a nice touch, and this can either give you an incredible advantage (should you guess right) or put you at a high disadvantage. The pitching of course is done in a familiar style, the “wind up and pitch” method being very similar to another of Sony’s PSP (and PS2) titles, Hot Shots Golf. But, it all comes down to timing of course. I also love the ability to hit a ball right up the center or decide to try and hit it out to left or right field. As with the regular game itself, you can choose to lead off and steal if you find an opening, or throw out that lead runner when he makes his attempt.

MLB ’06 gives baseball fans a new career mode. You can make your own player, put him on the team you want, and then play a full season. This can go on for a full 10 seasons (or more) and it isn’t just about your performance on the mound (or the field.) Promotions, free trade, and virtually all other aspects that you might find in the real game are included here, though I didn’t run across anything like player strikes due to pay demands. But, there is still al little more, and you will have to go through spring training. Should you perform well enough, you will be offered a contract, but if not, it looks like you’ll be staying in the minors. You will find that the game also includes the usual exhibition mode, homerun derby, or even King of the Diamond, a mini game where the goal is to get as many hits as you feasibly can. And, if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to see a great for yesteryear take on a player from today, there’s no reason to further ponder the idea. MLB ’06 allows you to put some of the biggest names from the past up against the greats of today.

One of the best features of MLB ’06 in my opinion isn’t the modes that can be played, but it’s the commentary. Rex Hudler, the voice of the Angels, is joined by Matt Vasgersian (Padres . . . . and actually the XFL) and Dave Campbell for what might be the best play-by-play in sports game history. The script that has been written for the game is utterly amazing, and though there are a few times, the play-by-play fits almost perfectly. You may hear praise from the announcers, or comments along the lines of “what was he thinking,” and although you may hear some phrases repeated, there is more than enough diversity that the game stays interesting. If you get tired of the commentary though, you can opt to turn it off and simply play the game.

The graphics are done very well and the PSP version of the game mirrors the PS2 version almost perfectly. The most impressive thing is the rendering not only of the players, but the stadiums. I may not like baseball, but I have been to Safeco Field a time or two, and the look and feel is perfect, though it would have been nice to see the addition of closing the dome during a game in case of rain. Hey, it’s the northwest, and it DOES happen, quite often actually. The only thing I don’t care much for is the crowd, and they have the standard cardboard cutout look that is featured in many other games. The PSP can only allow for so much though. The replays are where you can really see the ability of the PSP however, and while something might look impressive live, seeing it again, close up or in slow motion is even better. The game also utilizes motion capture, thus brining even more life to the players so the running, batting, and everything else associated with baseball is as accurate as it possibly can be. You will find that many of the players have the same stance and mannerisms as their non-digital counterparts, and if you’re a fan of Ichiro, he does in fact use that should touch that you always see him do at his at-bats. Are you looking for things like broken bats? This game has them, adding even more into the realism.

It comes as no surprise to anyone that the game features online play via Ad-Hoc, Infrastructure, and even the option to download news content so you can keep up on all the latest scores and headlines. No matter if you’re playing alone, against your best friend, or someone on the other side of the country, MLB ’06 has everything that a baseball fan could want.

The only thing missing from MLB ’06 are the popcorn, peanuts, and crackers jacks as well as the overpricing that is a huge part of paying a visit to the ball parks, and maybe some of those unflattering chants that can pop up from fans. I may not be a sports fan, but MLB ’06: The Show is a grand slam hit that is not only going to please fans of the game that’s as American as apple pie, it may have a few non-fans cheering and not able to get enough of the addictive and realistic gameplay.  

-mike-