MVP Baseball 2004 Review

Video baseball games have been around since the beginning of the electronics era. When I was a boy, I had a silly little handheld baseball game, that I loved, even though it was just some blinking lights and sound effects. Now, 30 years later, we live in an era where a game can be made to look and feel as realistic as real baseball. One of the better games simulating the American pastime is MVP Baseball 2004.

This game includes all the perks that stats nuts want in a game, complete breakdowns of all the numbers of the major leaguers, so the game plays very close to the real thing. One of the new innovations featured in this game is the way the pitching is handled. You choose a pitch and location, as per most baseball simulators, but the speed of the pitch is determined by how long the players hold down the power meter. Want to go high and tight? Gold the meter all the way down. Want a change up low and away, hold the meter a lot less. This really changes the game up a bit, especially when playing head to head.

The hitting is equally innovative. One thing is important to mention here, you really need analog controllers to enjoy this kind of game, you can play without them, but the game losses a lot. Unlike the normal procedure for hitting, where you try and meet the ball and as it comes, this game requires you start your swing at the correct time. If you swing late, you will miss the pitch, if you swing to early, you will be swatting air. It really takes a different approach to hitting to do well in this game, with an analog controller, you can also place the ball to the opposite field, even attempt to get under it for a homer attempt, or over it for a ground ball. This game actually lets you try to move a runner over via the ground ball.

Another feature is the ability to make great fielding plays. By correct use of the controller, you can jump, dive, and make stabs at balls that would normally be passed you. This is a reminder of older video games that had attempts to include great plays, but usually went overboard with it. Not here though, the attempts can only be made if you have a real chance of making the play.

This game also includes more cool and unseen features from previous baseball products. The best is the Dynasty feature, you can select any team, and play through, get this, 120 years of baseball history! And not just with the big league club, you also control the minor league clubs that go with it, so you can develop players, promote rookies, send down disappointments, trade with other organizations, you name it. This makes this game pretty close to the ultimate baseball simulator.

The other modes, Home run derby and Pitcher Showdown are pretty standard fare. The game includes all the major league parks, and even includes small details like the rising apple in Shea Stadium in NY and the special effects you see in other parks around the majors. The game has an excellent look to it, the players are fluid and move well, and the camera angles are also nice. The music is pretty good, and you can even make out the actual players from their video representations.

This game pretty much has it all for the baseball fan. Detailed statistical play, all out action, great plays, even the roar of the crowd. Baseball games have certainly advanced since that little hand held of mine from the 1970s, in fact, I can't remember when I enjoyed a sports game more. Everyone who loves baseball, or wants a good gift for a baseball fan should run out and get this game, its worth every penny.