MLB '09: The Show

by Sony

Product Features

• Hotshot Fielding - The game now includes more dynamic fielder reactions and animations, as well as improved bare-handed flips.
• Road to the Show 3.0 - The new version of the popular mode includes an all-new steal and leadoff system, and more interaction with the player's coaches.
• Franchise 2.0 - Now includes salary arbitration, waiver transactions, September call-ups, and the 40-man roster.
• Improved online play - Now includes flex scheduling to allow players to play out-of-order games, and Roster Vault option to allow gamers can create their own custom rosters and upload them online for other gamers to use.
• Custom Music/Replays - Gamers will now be able to store their favorite songs to their PS3 and assign them to be played at various points in the game, including a batter's walk-up animation. Players may also create custom taunts.

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B001O0EGLE
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 3, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (89 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,256 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #5 in Video Games > PlayStation 3 > Sports > Baseball
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: PLAYSTATION 3

Amazon.com Product Description

MLB 09: The Show is back for the 2009 baseball season with all the authentic baseball action that baseball and video game fans have come to expect from the longest running officially licensed Major League Baseball game series on PlayStation platforms. The fourth game in the series, MLB 09 also includes a wealth of new features such as Road to the Show 3.0, Franchise Mode 2.0, Online Season Leagues and Hotshot Fielding.

Swing for the cheap seats. View larger.

Squeeze victory from the bases. View larger.

Play your position like a star. View larger.

See the game from every view. View larger.

Authenticity
Dedicated to authenticity in gameplay, as well as keeping up with current superstars of the National Pastime, MLB 09: The Show contains over 700 new gameplay animations, more than 150 new personalized pitcher and batter routines and hundreds of new presentation animations. In addition, the game also recognizes subtleties surrounding the action that are as much a part of the game as anything on the field. Just a few of these are the creeping shadows of a twilight game, the wear and tear a field will show as the season progresses, scoreboard animations, and changes in the clothing of the fans as the season moves from spring, summer and into fall.

An Update to 'The Road to the Show'
Previous versions of The Road to the Show functionality have allowed not only for extensive customization of in-game players, but also for the ability to play offense and defense through that player's eyes. This year with Road to the Show 3.0 players can take this fine tuning even further with a new steal and lead off system, inter-active training through mini-games and enhanced interaction with managers and coaches as customized players make their way off the bench and into MLB superstardom.

Hotshot Fielding
In the past all too often fielding functionality simply consisted of positioning your player somewhere near the ball, no matter how the ball appears to be hit. But MLB 09's Hotshot Fielding changes all that. Now if a ball looks too hot to handle without a little extra effort then it probably is. If you can master the dynamic player reactions possible through Hotshot Fielding then there may be a golden glove in your future, otherwise your fielder may bungle that shot to the gap or line drive.

Online League Play
Providing you with the ability to set up leagues with up to 30 teams offering full stat tracking, point benefits and rewards. Customize as you see fit; choose your players, teams, length, rules and much more. Whether it’s you and a couple buddies or 29 of your closest friends, bragging rights are on the line.

Key Game Features:

• Road to the Show 3.0 - The new version of the popular mode includes an all-new steal and leadoff system, and more interaction with the player's coaches.
• Franchise 2.0 - Now includes salary arbitration, waiver transactions, September call-ups, and the 40-man roster.
• Improved online play - Now includes flex scheduling to allow players to play out-of-order games, and Roster Vault option to allow gamers can create their own custom rosters and upload them online for other gamers to use.
• Custom Music/Replays - Gamers will also be able to store their favorite songs to their PlayStation 3 and assign them to be played at various points in the game, including a batter's walk-up animation. Players may also create custom taunts.
• Hotshot Fielding - The game now includes more dynamic fielder reactions and animations, as well as improved bare-handed flips.
• MLB Player Motion Captures - MLB 09 The Show features authentically captured motions from dozens of professional athletes including David Wright, David Ortiz, Eric Chavez, Roger Clemens, Trevor Hoffman, Tim Hudson, Darryl Hamilton and more.
• Progressive Batting Performance - Player abilities can improve or regress depending on how the gamer plays.
• Post Game/In Game Pitcher and Batter Analysis - Pitch Analysis is a breakdown of all the pitches thrown during the current game being played. Gamers will be able sort by pitcher, LHB or RHB, pitch type and result. This feature is also available for Batters, and the batter analysis allows for a breakdown of how a batter has performed based on LHP or RHP, Pitch Type, and result.
• Pitch Grips - The game will accurately graphically reflect the pitch being thrown on the pitcher's hand, and will include 17 different pitch types including five fastball variations (four-seamer, two-seamer, cutter, splitter, sinker), five breaking pitches (10-4 curve, 12-6 curve, slider, slurve, screwball), four change-ups (straight, circle change-up, palmball, forkball), and three specialty pitches (knuckle, knuckle-curve, and the gyro).
• SportsConnect Online User Tracking (SCOUT) - SCOUT allows gamers to set their game preferences, store them on the server, and then allows the system to look for a Quick Match with an opponent that fits their criteria.
• Live Sports Updates - # Live MLB updates in-game, as well as SportsConnect Headline News.
• Multi-Branch Fielding - Branch Point Technology goes to a new level as gamers you can now take full control of fielders and break out of any animation in the process. Change a fielding decision and branch out of any animation after the first branch point.
• Adaptive Pitching Intelligence (API) - Catchers will call the game based on individual strengths and weaknesses of each pitcher and analyze tendencies of batters.
• Pitch Command System (PCs) - Pitchers' abilities to throw a specific pitch change depending on how often the pitcher throws it.
• Revamped Umpire Personalities - Umpire personalities have been tweaked further.

Product Description

MLB 09 PS3

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best sports title ever on any console bar none., August 18, 2009

By 

Todem ""The Most Endangered Species the H... (Parkland, FL) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: MLB 09 The Show (Video Game)

I am a little late to the "show" but I am sure glad I finally arrived here! I just picked up the PS3 system 2 weeks ago. I am from the school that felt MVP baseball 2005 was hands down the best baseball game ever made for console gaming. I read numerous reviews on this game at various sites and was really shocked at the clear line of love it or hate it type of write ups. A little background on my gaming expereince for you youngens out there. I have been playing video games since the Atari 2600 (I still have that thing in fine working condition in a box with over 100 carts). Back then Intellevision was the bomb for baseball.Nintendo had Baseball Stars, and Bases Loaded the Second Season (both classics). On Sega Genesis we had RBI Baseball, and the sweet World Series Baseball. Then the Playstation had EA's Triple Play baseball,All Star Baseball and of course the legendary MVP 2005 for PS2. For this review I can tell you this game is being played on a 32' Sony XBR Bravia 1080P LCD with Digital Surround and HDMI video.

I will list my custom settings which I have found to be very challenging and at the same time very rewarding. These settings thus far have made for a very realistic gaming experience without the extreme amount of frustration that some have shared. Over time I am sure I will turn down and turn up these various settings as my skill in the game gets better with repeated play. I recommend these particular settings if you have had a good amount of baseball video gaming experience with either The Show or the MVP series, have a good working knowledge of the game and also if you are/were a ball player.

All Star difficulty

No hot/cold zones

No Strike Zone marker

No hitter zone marker

Yes - to ball marker to line up the pitches - even though the controller shakes if your out of the strike zone it does make things a tad easier and more enjoyable.

Yes - to 1/6 guess pitch and location - I believe part of baseball is to anticipate certain pitches and location at crucial times and to be rewarded like you would in real life with a solid hit or a majestic blast out of the park! This allows you to sit on a pitch that you guessed right. Or if you don't want to guess the pitch but know he will pitch you down and away that helps and you should be rewarded. Knowing location has it's rewards too! I played a game last night and just knew this pitcher was going to come at me inside....I promptly crushed one over the right field wall BOOYA!!!!!!

New Running control set up - very easy to use as I will explain below.

Yes - to API (Adaptive pitching intelligence) where the cather calls the game for you and you can either shake him off or follow his lead. I like this a lot! And don't be afraid to shake off your catcher. They do call for more fastballs then they should....shake him off and throw that change up or breaking ball!

All throwing, fielding, running, and sliding set to manuel

Yes - to the Fielding ball marker and steal the HR marker.

Yes - to umpire strike zone variabilty

No - CPU comebacks.

As far as my sliders go without being long winded the only adjustments I made were:

Turning up 2 clicks each:

Hitting Power
Solid Contact
Starting Pitcher Stamina
Relief Pitcher Stamina
Foul balls

Turning down 3 clicks:

Throwing errors.

Turned down 1 click

AI Pitch speed - if your a novice turn it dowm some more to get a feel for what different pitches do. Once you get the hang of it...turn it up!

On to the game.

Presentation - Never have I been so blown away by a sports games presentation than MLB 2009 The Show. From the moment you load in the game and hearing all the great radio calls to the opening lineup introductions, the umpire crew calling the game, the panning in the stadiums, the lighting and shading....I mean this is top notch stuff. The play by play is great. Without question you feel like your watching a baseball game. The menus are very in depth and easy to navigate. I love seeing in spring training games the beach balls being hit around. The crowd is very active and looks so real! The player models are nothing short of beautiful. The fielding animations are so life like...back hand stabs, flips to turn 2, scoops, fist pumping after a great play, dives and slides....all the most realisitc I have ever seen. Guys getting thrown out of arguing calls, Replays are awesome!!!! Custom walk up music, and recording your own cheers and jeers.....friggin sweet!

Gameplay - this is where the biggest debate has been on the reviews. I will say this. MLB 2009 is not for pick up and play gamers, gamers who do not have much baseball knowledge, and gamers who do not have patience. This is a game that was designed for true baseball fans, players, and sports gamers who want the ultimate in true realisim. If you don't fit into that description....buy MLB The Bigs.

The degree of difficulty in hitting is just that. It is not easy. This is not dependent on button mashing and pure timing. You must understand the sweet science of hitting, taking pitches, going with the pitch, fighting off pitches, having some sense of what pitch is coming depending on the count, the baserunners etc. The hitting aspect of this game is just flat out amazing. If you are patient and willing to practice you will be able to be successful. One of the biggest keys to hitting on this game is the left stick. You need to understand that if a pitcher is throwing it down and away and you swing at it....you better have the left stick pressed down and away as you time your button push and then maybe you either fight off the pitch, get a dribbler down the line you can leg out, hit an opposite field single...pop up, line out, my point is there is no guarantee you will get on base...but if you don't press that left stick down and away chances are you will whiff. If you have a man on third....tap the right stick up to induce a fly ball to tag up that runner!! Drag bunts are awesome on this game and they work well (tap your right stick either left or right before the pitch). I wish you could move the hitter around the box though...amazing a game with this much detail left that out. The hitters eye is a nice touch to see how the defense is playing you. Back to the hitting aspect. What I love is that even if you get the timing right sometimes your going to hit it hard....but it is going to find a glove. That is baseball. No one hits .375 year round....most hitters hit .275 to .280. Sometimes you time it right but you don't swing your bat high enough or low enough with the left stick. Again...ultimate realism. I still have not hit a HR using the power swing. I have hit a dozen (in 14 spring games) though using the normal swing button, with perfect timing and placing the sweet spot of the bat in the right area. I also do not like to use the power swing button because you can't check your swing at all. Check swinging is a major aspect of this game. The batter/pitcher duals are flat out sick!

Pitching - Wow...I love this. Even when you line up the ball right....sometimes your pitcher just does not have his best stuff. Know this and start thinking about getting your long reliever up earlier than you would like! I love the fact that you must work the zone....throw pitches high and away, low and outside, or give them a sweet splitter down the middle...whoops and then it drops like a rock! Also....make sure you get ahead in the count...because the great hitters will make you pay for mistakes all the time. Study your hitters with the pitcher/batter menu....amazing the amount of info you can gather from those screens. Also check the streak arrow direction next to their name and stats as they approach the batters box....is A-Rod on a cold steak? Then challenge him!! If he's hot and first base is open....pitch him carefully. Watch your pitchers confidence closley. If he is getting into trouble...get out there and talk to him. If he can't seem to get out trouble....send him to an early shower!

The plethora of pitches in the game is sweet. Screwballs, slurves, 2 seamers, 4 seamers, 12-6 curves, spliters, sliders, sinkers, knuckleballs, knuckle curves, changeups....awesome. The variability on the umpires is also a very nice touch. Sometimes you get calls...sometimes you don't. Adjust and adapt just like in real life!!!!

Fielding - Ok here is where there are a couple of quirks. Sometimes the AI chooses the wrong fielder for you intially and you need to hit that L2 quick...also sometimes you hit dive and meant it let's say for your 3rd baseman but the AI chose your LF instead and he is flat on his face and it turns into a double. It does not happen that often. In fact it is becoming less of an occurence as you get used to the speed of the game. The fielding though for the most part is very solid. I love the smoothness of the animations and man it feels so real. Throwing is a breeze as is diving and jumping. Throwing errors were happening too often on the "out of the box settings" so take my advice on the slider adjustments mentioned above. The fielding guide marker is very helpful and a must for novices and even vet's like me...it makes for a more enjoyable experience. Last night I perefectly timed a R2 dive for Hanley Ramirez to lay out up the middle on a grounder... he then flipped the ball up from his stomach to Uggla who was getting taken out on the throw to turn the 6-4-3 DP. AMAZING FIELDING ANIMATIONS!!!!!

Baserunning - Ok MVP 2005 has the best baserunning controls hands down with the use of the game pad....why MLB 2009 does not use that same scheme is anyone's guess....but the new running control scheme... Read more ›

35 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They made it perfect, March 3, 2009

By 

Robert Pace "Hugs and Curses." (Smithtown, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: MLB 09 The Show (Video Game)

Here we are, another long winter over and another amazing spring to begin, and what better way to ring in the best time of year than with MLB 09 The Show.

Sony has done it, they have taken an amazing franchise and made it perfect. I could tell you about the perfect graphics and amazing sounds, but this game has literally everything. They have batters that react like their real-life counterparts and pitchers that are accurate down to the grip of the ball. Each player is rendered with extreme precision, and with the ability to manually add their actual walk up music and HR celebration music, nothing is more life-like.

They team at Sony has added well over 400 animations to an already extraordinary library of ones that existed previously. I could probably play 100 games and still see something new. From speaking to one of the developers, there are now over 100 animation simply for the first baseman catching a throw to first. That's just unreal. Also, as you play the game the infield wears down, if you dive for a ball on the back of the infield in the third inning, that large swipe of dirt will still be there the rest of the game, this is amazing. Score a runner from second base, and you'll see the footprints in the dirt until they get covered by even more footprints.

The crowd is intenase this year, it's dynamic. If there's a blow out, they might leave early. Also, you'll see Yankee fans in Fenway and vice-versa, as that's how it really is. Sony has made this as close to reality as possible. Also, the fans dress for the weather. I was playing an early April game in Chicago, and the announcers stated it was 43 degrees. Everyone in the crowd had hats, sweaters and jackets on. For a game in late May, it was t-shirts and shorts.

The lighting is another VAST improvement this season. The game actually has lighting that transitions throughout the game. It doesn't just go from light to dark, it follows a real nights subtle changes. Also, the lighting will hit players at certain angles that mimic a real sun, so the shadows will make a difference this year.

Add to all this, online leagues and Road to the Show 3.0, and yes you have a perfect baseball game.

Thank you Sony.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect baseball game.., March 10, 2009

By 

Dayton C - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: MLB 09 The Show (Video Game)

First of all, my review is not gonna tell you why this game is perfect because of how great the stadiums look, or how lifelike Manny Ramirez's dreads look. I love graphics as much as the next guy, but that is not what I am looking for in a baseball game. I am an obsessive Baseball fan and the only thing I am looking for is realism...and this game has done baseball perfectly.

You hear that a lot in reviews of this game don't you? Perfect. How many times have most of the reviewers of anything said something like that?

The only baseball game I have continued to play since like 1999 has been High Heat Baseball for PC. I have seriously continued to update the rosters year after year for the 2003 edition, keeping it current. Well, this game not only made me finally put that game away, but single-handedly made me buy a PS3.

That is saying a lot! Console Baseball games have continued to get it wrong, time after time, after sad disc throwing time for me. I can not say enough for how amazing this game is. The batter/pitcher battle, the most important part of baseball, is excellent. High pitch counts, countless foul balls, CPU actually throwing balls, strike outs looking, amazing.

The trajectory of batted balls is great too, lots of balls up the middle, and looping fly balls, like real baseball. Lots of little things too with feeling, balls are bobbled but plays are still made... adding more of a human feeling to the game. One of the other cool features on the game, is that on the higher up difficulty modes.. you are to use actual catcher signs to call pitches, 1 for fastball, 2 usually for curve etc.. and your catcher even calls what side of the plate its going too.

This game is perfect, 10 out of 10, 5 out of 5, whatever the ratings are. This game looks equally good when compared to how atrocious that Major league Baseball game is. Go BUY NOW.

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