Major League Baseball 2K8

by 2K Sports

Product Features

• Broadcast booth with Jon Miller and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan
• Point and flick pitching
• Swing the Wii remote like a bat
• "Smart Throw" technology helps players to field easily and throw to the best base
• Control the speed of their baserunning by shaking the Wii Remote and Nunchuk simultaneously

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00118T6FU
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches ; 6.4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 4, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,100 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #13 in Video Games > Wii > Sports > Baseball
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com

Major League Baseball 2K8 takes full advantage of the Wii remote with fun, new gameplay controls.

Features:

• Pitching - To pitch, players simply point the Wii Remote at the screen, pull back to start the pitcher's motion, then flick the Wii Remote forward. The quicker the player flicks the remote, the more velocity and movement the pitch will have. The Nunchuk can be used to view a player’s pitch arsenal and to select which pitch to throw.
• Batting - Swinging for the fences with Major League Baseball 2K8 on Wii will provide fans with even more fun when they control the Wii Remote as if they were swinging a real bat. The Nunchuk acts to control the direction of the ball.
• Fielding - While controlling their designated player using the Nunchuk, players can snag fly balls and use the Wii Remote to throw to the appropriate base. Players can use Major League Baseball 2K8's "Smart Throw" technology to throw to the best base by simply flicking the Wii Remote or can manually choose which base to throw to by pressing a direction on the directional pad.
• Baserunning - Players can control the speed of their baserunning by shaking the Wii Remote and Nunchuk simultaneously, then pushing both controllers to slide.
• Best Booth in the Business - 2K Sports proudly brings back the duo Jon Miller and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan to the broadcast booth, delivering the deepest commentary available.

Product Description

Major League Baseball 2K8 returns to the diamond.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars MLB 2K8...Swing...and a miss, March 7, 2008

By 

fenwah (Ohio) - See all my reviews

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Major League Baseball 2K8 (Video Game)

Wow...this game could have been absolutely fantastic for the Wii. However, there are some MAJOR components missing or severely lacking with this game.

1) The graphics are Playstation 2 quality...and that's being nice. I understand the Wii isn't a graphics powerhouse like the 360 or PS3, but after playing Super Mario Galaxy and seeing screenshots of Super Smash Brothers, it's obvious that the 2K team on this project dropped the ball.

2) Hitting is insanely difficult. I have played seven exhibition games now and am having a rather difficult time with it.

3) No online multiplayer. I don't get that decision.

4) No minor leagues. I've checked and can't find it...although the box has the official minor league sticker on the case. Not really a big deal in my opinion.


There are some good points to the game...

1) The commentators are insanely good. Actually the best in any sports game that I have played.

2) The pitching controls are really good. You choose a type of pitch, then point your remote to where you want the ball to go, then flick your wrist to begin the pitch...a bullseye will appear with red, yellow, and green areas. You want to get it in the green area. You use a throwing motion to lock in that bullseye location.

3) Defense motion is very realistic. I've had my shortstop dive at a ground ball and then make the throw to first from his knees. I've had several double play balls that are just crazy realistic.

If you can get over the pathetic graphics and lack of online play, then my guess is that you would really enjoy this game. I have a feeling that I will improve on the hitting over time...so I can't dog that too much. If the graphics were better I would have given this four stars. Add the online play, and I would give it five stars.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Three steps away from great, May 6, 2008

By 

M. Grimes "DizBumpBaby" (Christiansburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Major League Baseball 2K8 (Video Game)

Okay, if you're reading this review after having read a whole bunch from a lot of sites, including Amazon, you are probably as confused as I was before I picked this game up a couple of weeks ago. Well, I will try to be as up-front as I can about this game and hope that my comments help you decide to buy it.

I titled the review "three steps away..." because the game is just that: GOOD, but not quite at "great" yet. The basics:

Batting: This is only difficult if you can't get the hang of Wii Sports. It's all about timing. Hitting in a specific direction has never been easier, and I love the ease of bunting and hitting fly balls. (A)

Pitching: I actually really enjoy the pitching. It is also timing based, but the fact that this sports game uses the Wii-mote effectively is a big plus. I also like the realistic movement on MOST pitches. There are a couple that move too much for a low-caliber pitcher, but nonetheless, pitching is solid. (A-)

Fielding: The fielding controls are a little sensitive, but not unreasonable. I found myself diving when I didn't want to once or twice, but climbing the wall and sprinting when necessary are still pretty easy to accomplish. (B-)

Depth: The lack of complete minors rosters is a bit frustrating. I am a fantasy baseball fan, so I'm seeing a few guys hit the majors right now that aren't in the game. BUT, for the most part, the rosters are okay. Some complain that trades weren't accounted for, but not having Santana on the Mets, while frustrating, isn't earth-shattering.
The game modes are solid, but the lack of minors involvment is tough to have missed. I also enjoy the trading card system, which is NOT in this game. (C)

So, the "three steps" are:
- Graphics: No, this Wii isn't as advanced as 360 and PS3, BUT it should look better than PS2, right?!?
- Depth: I think the lack of minors and trading cards is acceptable for the first year of this game, but I hope it makes it into 2K9 and beyond.
- Fielding: The fielding is a bit choppy and inconsistent at times. This is the only gameplay gripe I've found, and it's not a huge one.

I'd grade MLB 2K8 as a B-. I think the game is good, not great. I think that this first effort is a baseball sim that isn't complete. If they can get the graphics slightly better, add some depth, and tweak the minor gameplay issues, it will be an "A" game.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Fun. Intuitive Controls. There are Minor Leaguers (just not teams), March 6, 2008

By 

Denver A Man (Earth) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Major League Baseball 2K8 (Video Game)

Here are some Pro's and Con's to this game in case people are looking to buy it:

PROS:

Pitching feels awesome

Hitting is very satisfying especially when you crush a home run. And the fact you can bat left or righty with one hand makes this game playable even on the couch.

Great Animations

Interface is easy to use with the Wiimote

Rosters mostly up to date

In Depth Franchise Mode

AMAZING Commentary: I love Jim and Joe and my GF, also a baseball fan, said she actually thought I was watching a baseball game it sounded so good. Yea they goof up here and there but mostly its very good.

Feels like you are watching a game especially with Pre-Game and Post Game comments which are actually very cool to listen too.

Day/Night, Weather, Rain Delays etc..

Minor League Players are available but only to a certain extent. Don't think you will find some Single A players. However, the Rox's had a good bit of their minor league prospects.

Tracking a pitch out of the pitchers hand is pretty easy. I can see the ball much better then MVP2005 which is awesome BTW.

CONS:

Base running is complicated (I think it'll get easier as I go along). There are more baserunning commands/buttons then anything else.

Fielding seems a little goofy. You have a blue square and if you aren't dead center you tend to miss the ball or lunge for it. Again practice makes perfect.

Graphics are AWFUL. It is the Wii. However, the presentation of the game is very good so it makes up for it. Animation graphics are not awfu,l however, but game play graphics are.

At time the game seems a bit clunky when you try to turn a double play. Just slow on the reflexes. I guess I can probably get better though. Some minor Frame Issues (stuttering).

Sometimes when you swing you check swing accidentally or the other way around. Seems to be a 50/50 thing probably happens 3-4 times a game. probably will reduce with practice. However, I just chalk it up to "realism" or odds of baseball or something. Doesn't ruin much.

No Minor Leagues: I don't care at all about this

No Online Play: This kinda stinks but I think this game took the disc to the limit. Maybe they should have used a double sided disk like Smash Brothers and included Online play. However, with the pitching and hitting degree of accuracy it might be hard.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

All in all this game is lots of fun. I'm a graphics/PC guy with an 8800gtx. I love high performance uber graphical games. I also LOVE baseball. The fact that I think this game is so good without amazing performance / graphics shows how good the motion controls work and how AMAZING the presentation is. Seriously you feel like you are listening to a Live Broadcast. The game's learning curve is relatively quick and easy when it comes to the basics.

I'd recommend this game to any baseball fan on the Wii. Its not MVP 2005 but its very very good in a completely different way.

Since this is WII I'd give it 4 out of 5 , I can see this getting worse grades on non motion based systems.