Customer Reviews

ESPN Major League Baseball

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

What makes this game the best of the main three(mvp, All-star baseball) is the REALISTIC GAMEPLAY. Graphics are fine but if the game looks pretty, but doesn't play well whats the point? Reasons why ESPN is the best on the market
1. Gameplay is real. I played MVP and the computer gets inside the park homeruns or a triple off of routine base hits(and there always in the gap).
2.If you play on the highest level (Legend) the game is not too difficult yet not too easy to beat. I get scores like 7-5 or 4-3 all the time.
3.Fielding is as good as last years game. The only problem is the infielders tend to hold on to the ball too long after they pick it up for some reason.
4. The computer doesnt do any late game tendencies (like Madden 2004)
5. Its not as easy to steal like last years game.
I like this game because the computer can still be competitive without being programmed to cheat(something the EA sports programmers need to take heed).
No sports game is perfect but Sega sports and Visual concepts will eventually surpass EA because they focus more on game play not graphics. EA's sports games are becoming arcadish. The graphics aren't perfect on ESPN because ps2 graphics are not like Xbox but to be honest with you i personally liked the graphics.
6. Presentation. Jon miller is the best color commentator in baseball. It makes you feel like your watching a real game on ESPN. I just cant figure out why they didnt have Joe Morgan along with him. Maybe in next years game. MVP's presentation isn't bad but ESPN's looks like the real deal.
I am not a huge baseball fan but if you like arcade games get MVP. If you want real baseball simulation get ESPN baseball 2K4!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MVP lacks a seasonal mode, and that's the main reason I buy a
new baseball game each year. Outfielders struggle to find "reverse" when they bang their faces against the outfield wall, and the metered pitching system is tiring. The CPU starts
warming up the bullpen in the 4th inning on a regular (and unbelievable)basis. And the inclusion of minor league teams is
not something I care about, just like when EA's college basketball game used to have women's teams. Sorry. Finally
the reward system that opens up extra players, stadiums etc. would require you to play 24/7.

MLB is better, but as stated elsewhere having your roster limited to carrying only 10 pitchers is just not right. Missing
1 or 2 players from your favorite team is sad, and unrealistic.
The CPU throws strikes, there are no walks, unless intentional.

ESPN is graphically not perfect, but the realism of the gameplay is. Playing as the Cubs, against the Dodgers, Hideo Nomo at one point walked Corey Patterson on 4 pitches, something
I don't think I have ever experienced in a video game. It brought a huge smile to my baseball loving face. If you were a High Heat fan, this is your game.

I spent the past two years playing 3DO's High Heat, and was very disappointed to hear of their bankruptcy. Would there be a baseball game from the other companies that could compete? It didn't look good early on. EA Sports MVP Baseball has great graphics, but the gameplay (especially fielding) is clumsy, and the rosters are extremely inaccurate. 989 Sports' MLB 2005 has some decent features (the menu music features Black Eyed Peas and Jane's Addiction!), but it's entirely too easy, and you are only allowed to carry 10 pitchers on your roster. The new All-Star Baseball game is a complete joke (give it up, Akklaim!), and I will say nothing further about it...
Which leads me to ESPN Baseball. Released by Sega Sports, and only just recently hitting stores after a lengthy delay, it's a winner. The animations are fluid and life-like, the graphics are gorgeous, and you can make it as simple or complicated as you like. Like the other ESPN videogames, this is set up just like a broadcast from the sports network, complete with the Baseball Tonight theme music. Jon Miller and Rex Hudler offer fun commentary that does get a tad repetitive after a while, and the stadiums look just like their real-life counterpart. True double-switches aren't possible (is High Heat the only baseball game to get this right?), but that's the only major complaint I have about this game.
Bottom line: if you're a frustrated High Heat fan that was not impressed by MVP Baseball (DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!!), this is the game to get. Well done!

I just picked up ESPN Major League Baseball for PS2...I've been waiting for this game for a long time. I think I was the first to purchase it. I went 1st thing in the morning. First of all...I've played each baseball game because I rented them all and played them before I went out to buy ESPN Baseball. In MLB 2005 the whole presentation seemed like u were watching some high school baseball game...the gameplay was average but the hitting and pitching was weak. In ALL STAR baseball, the graphics were weird and stadiums werent up to Par, the commentary was good tho. And MVP baseball had many bugs in it. Any time you hit a ball in the gap..its a inside the park homerun....and also lefty hitters have not much power. So now comes ESPN baseball....outstanding commentators...john miller makes the game feel so life like...the whole espn presentation is exactly like watching sunday night baseball and karl ravech does great in the studio. Theres a lot new animations than last year...the gameplay is a lot smoother. The GM mode is outstanding as well. If gives you total control of a team and you have to complete certain goals and ur boss will give u more money if u keep winning. I also love the power pitching meter...it gives u so much control of the speed of each pitch...and the confidence meter is an awesome option. I use the same batting as last years cuz im use to it. I jus went to options and put the batting cursor on. The players look just like their counterparts. So if any of you baseball fans want a GREAT baseball game...then buy ESPN Baseball right now.

ESPN MLB Baseball is the best! It has a lot better graphics than MLB 2005, and ASB '05. One of the best parts this amazing game, is the First Person Baseball mode. With this, you could play a normal game through the eyes of any actual baseball player. Another part is the 3-D K-ZONE. This would tell you where the ball was thrown by the pitcher. The part I like the most is the pre-game show before any game. In an exhibition game, the pre-game would tell you who is pithing and what there 2003 statistics are. In Feason, Franchise, or Dynasty Mode, Karl Raveach would tell you the standings. There is also the Duel Mode. This is sort of a fast paced mini game. You could pick anyone in this including legends like Stan Musial, and Catfish Hunter. In the Dynasty Mode, you have to pick a job with any team. Then the manager gives you a contract. After he gives you a contract, he gives you goals to do. (e.i. Limit your spending to 465 BP.) The more goals you suceed goals the longer you stay with the team. The more goals you fail the shorter you stay with the team. Eventually you are fired and have to find another job. When there are no jobs left, you are forced to retire. There is much that you can do in this incredible game.

So the graphics arent that great, but if your are just looking for that you need to pick a different sport. All the things that this game offers makes it one of the best games that you can buy. It is just like watching Sunday Night Baseball, except you are interactive with it. Plus it is updated, like A-Rod in pinstripes. I would certainly advise you to pick this game over any other.

I played MVP for a week and quickly gave up on it when i got my hands on ESPN Major League Baseball. This game is really terrific. Pitching, hitting, fielding - it's all good. Really good. Gameplay is rock solid. I haven't put this game down in about 7 days. Oh and it's online too. EA should probably work on getting MVP online ;)

ESPN's 2003 (World Series Baseball) game was indeed the best on the market. Sure, it could be improved, and it seems they are with the different options and graphics: power pitching, mound visits, broken bats and curtain calls. Plus, Jon Miller is the best announcer around. Everything sounds great. However, I wonder if they are not tampering with it too much when they say, "Clutch Gameplay - A new momentum meter allows you to tap into the power of your player when you need it most." What? As if a manger could decide when his player is going to be hot? Hopefully that will be an option one can turn off. Please, someone let us know if the gameplay is still as good or better than 2003's version. As far as I'm concerned, that's all that matters. The graphics are great in All-Star Baseball and in EA Sport's baseball game, but the game is far from great. What made ESPN the best was the realistic game play. Let's hope that remains.

It's better than I previously thought. In the past several weeks, cracked bats, intuitive AI, and really nice realistic baseball, games, scores, stats etc.
And another thing, the LEGENDS team and stadiums are available at the get go......I don't have the time to play countless hours of videogames just to unlock Honus Wagner. MVP is ridiculous in this regard.

I've played ESPN MLB while i was renting baseball games while
deciding which game to buy.I played ASB 2005 and i didn't like it.I played MVP 2004 and it was a good game.But when i played
ESPN MLB I was hooked.I then knew what game to buy.I like the choices in uniforms you can use.the only thing that stunk was no
Barry Bonds.