MVP Baseball 2004

by EA

Product Features

• Realistic baseball simulation
• New batting model offers extra control
• New features and gameplay modes
• Play one game or play a lifetime's worth of seasons
• For 1 or 2 players

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: B0001FFHBQ
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: March 9, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,315 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #13 in Video Games > PC Games > Sports > Baseball
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: PC

From the Manufacturer

Step up to the plate with MVP Baseball 2004. The fundamentals of hitting, pitching, fielding, and base running have been reproduced like never before to give you complete control over every aspect of the game. From swinging for the fences or protecting the plate when you have a two-strike count, the all-new batting model provides unprecedented command of each type of swing in every situation. With great gameplay and many additional features such as Pitching Challenge and Dynasty Mode, MVP Baseball 2004 wins the pennant as the most innovative and realistic baseball experience ever created.

Product Description

MVP Baseball 2004 wins the pennant for realistic baseball action. You get complete control over the entire baseball experience: from hitting, pitching, fielding, and base running to managing and coaching. Swing for the fences or create a baseball dynasty -- it's completely up to you!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could have been great, March 23, 2004

By 

Pauly C. (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MVP Baseball 2004 (CD-ROM)

I get a new PC baseball game every year. After being disappointed by the recent Triple Play and High Heat games, this MVP Baseball 2004 looked like a winner.

It almost is.

The pitching control is outstanding. The batting control is much improved. You can also control so many more facets of the game, including how and where your runners slide (to avoid the tag). You can even "railroad" the catcher.

I was one of those that were suprised that my controller (MS Sidewinder Gamepad) did not work with this game! I went out and purchased a new Logitech Dual Action Gamepad. Although there was nothing wrong with my old gamepad, I really do like this new one, and its NEEDED to fully enjoy this game (you need both analog sticks to control runners and special fielding plays).

The MVP Points system gives you something to strive for. You can unlock old-time players, stadiums, uniforms, etc.

However, the game does have some MAJOR flaws.

Playing Online: Online play is riddled with bugs. Including one that restarts your game anytime you steal a base! EA should have never shipped with this kind of bug. I'm sure there will be a patch eventually - if you can wait.

Controllers: You must own one of the following controllers
Logitech Dual Action Gamepad
Wingman Cordless Rumblepad
Wingman Rumblepad
Gravis Eliminator Aftershock
Saikek P880 controller

Playing with the keyboard is useless. I have read that you can hack your Windows registry to make your older controller work, but I'm sure you will be missing some functionality. EA should have included support for older controllers and simplified the controls for them.

Game modes: There is a "Dynasty Mode" where you build your team and progress through the years. Creating players in the minors and progressing them is useless. They will never be better than an avg. player.

It would have been nice if EA included a Single Season mode, or even a Playoff-tree mode (a la their NHL games).

When and if EA releases a patch - the game should be improved, and I would add another star.

Found yet another BUG: If you minimize the program, and then try to go back into the game, it will crash and leave you back at the desktop. I suggest you kill all other apps running (especially IMs) when playing.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Minor flaws;Major (league) gameplay & graphics, April 16, 2004

By 

Kent Stallard (Gilbert, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MVP Baseball 2004 (CD-ROM)

These game reviewers are a tough bunch. Yes, the controller issue was a serious faux pas on the part of EA. I, too, had to go buy a new controller just to play this game. (It was WELL worth it) And, as one individual pointed out, you can't set the prices for your concession stands in the "Dynasty" mode(what were they thinking!) ;-) (Note: I can't speak for the online problems mentioned, because I have not yet attempted to play online)

Still, this is an awesome game. The level of realism achieved is not only better than any other baseball simulation to date--it's better than most sports simulations in any genre. The detail in the graphics, the movements of the players, the rendering of the stadiums, and the overall gameplay are all top notch.

There are significant improvements over EA's previous (and very good) simulation MVP Baseball 2003. For example, there are a lot more very close plays at first base on grounders in the infield. You must now warm up relief pitchers before they enter the game, otherwise their effectiveness will be greatly diminished. There are various types of slides, including hook slides and slides intended to take out the defender at 2nd base on a double-play; the catcher is more involved defensively in the gameplay; etc., etc.

One aspect of the game that was not improved in this version, IMO, is the commentating. Kuiper and Krukow no longer discuss each team's results in the previous season, or elaborate on the individual players. Their commentary is pretty much limited to describing the action on the field (I suppose some might prefer that), and there is a lot of the dialogue that is borrowed from MVP 2003. Still, it's a relatively minor issue, as are--IMHO--all of the complaints lodged here about this game (with the exception of the controller compatibility and--if true--the online bug).

EA has done a great job overall with this game. Traditionally, baseball simulations for gaming consoles and the PC have been very disappointing, which is surprising since the sport is well-suited for a videogame format. MVP 2003 was a huge step in the right direction. MVP 2004 takes baseball simulation to yet another level of realism. An excellent game despite some relatively minor flaws. Don't let the controller issue and all of the negative reviews here discourage you from trying this out.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Buy, For the Serious and Casual Fan Alike......, May 24, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: MVP Baseball 2004 (CD-ROM)

I have played baseball games in my day, many of them, and I have always encountered one problem or another. Either the pitching stinks or it is the batting. Maybe the game graphics were awesome were awesome and the gameplay stunk. Or even the graphics stunk because they were sacrificed to make the gameplay better. Or even the whole game stunk... WHEW!

Well, this game comes to the rescue. The graphics are really the best I have ever seen and could really imagine. Every single detail is perfect - eyebrows, eyes, mustaches, goutees, hair style/color - on every single player. Kazuo Matsui (who is in this game!) has the little red lock of hair on this neck. Ichiro's whole face characteristics are incredible. And the batting stances are just right. Ichiro's impressed me the most since his is probably the hardest in baseball to imitate in a game. They did it classically and perfectly. Nothing is flawed as far as graphics go.

Gameplay is too awesome. Pitching is a breeze to figure out, but that's just figuring out. You must practice to perfect your location, velocity, etc. Batting is a little easier, but on the harder levels of difficulty, it is very hard. You really have to decide quickly whether that next pitch coming is a 95 mph fastball or just a slow uncle charlie curve ball. Bunting, like in real life, is difficult to master, but when perfected, it is a sweet thing. Ichiro is very capable of beating out a bunt if it is placed right.

Nothing in this game is downright EASY. The difficulty level is such that it takes a while to master Rookie - then there is pro, advanced and MVP level. Never even tried MVP level - it is, I'm sure, for the expert baseball gamer.

The gameplay announcing is nice too. It is not annoying with repeated sayings, clich'es, etc., rather, they are quite intelligent. And they do take notice and point out whether some has hit his 30th hr of the year, is throwing 7 innings of perfect baseball, and that sort of thing. Intelligent, like I said.

The different managerial modes are awesome, you have free reign of your MLB, AAA, and AA clubs. Creating a player is fun, too. But if you make his generics 100%, you will have to pay him the money he's worth. Make sure your team can afford him!

Get this game, whether you have doubts or not because they will be completely put to rest once you spend just one day on the game.

Signing Out... PLAY BALL!

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