Major League Baseball 2K8

Metachronos overall score = 7.5 / 10

Also availalble on PS2, PS3, Wii, PSP

Positive
- Signature styles for pitchers and hitters look great
- 2K cards is a promising new feature
- No shortage of game modes
- Some great new ideas

Negative
- Bugs, glitches, and other technical problems mar nearly every aspect of the game
- Frame rate is extremely poor during fielding
- Online play lags
- Collecting cards is cumbersome

The most notable change to how 2K8 plays when compared to 2K7 is the new pitching mechanic. To throw a pitch, you pull the right analog stick in the direction shown in the pitch's diagram and then wait for the expanding ring to flash. This determines the effectiveness of the pitch. Then you release the stick when the ring has contracted into the release zone to throw the pitch. For example, to throw a curveball, you would move the stick diagonally to the lower left and then make a counterclockwise motion. If you time it all right, the pitch goes where you want it to, but if you're just a bit off, the ball will end up several inches from its intended target--a big problem if you're trying to paint the corners. Certainly, pitchers miss their spots in real life, but very seldom are they punished like in 2K8. If you're really off with your timing or stick movement, you'll throw a meatball, and if you throw a meatball, chances are pretty good that you're giving up a home run. The problem is that the game is extremely demanding when it comes to throwing a pitch properly, but how it determines what is and isn't a good pitch doesn't seem to be as precise. Sometimes you'll see the red flash that indicates you're getting ready to throw a meatball before you've completed the first gesture; at other times, the game will think you're throwing one pitch when you're trying to throw another. This is extremely frustrating and will likely cause you to switch to the traditional button-pressing method of pitching if you care at all about winning close games.



Despite a bevy of technical problems, those of you who are just looking to play a few games and aren't worried about playing a franchise or trying to win close games on a higher difficulty will probably be reasonably pleased with MLB 2K8. With new pitching, hitting, and fielding mechanics, as well as new player cards, there's a lot to like if you're the forgiving type. However, if you're someone who relishes the finer points of the game, you'll walk away in disgust after just a few games. MLB 2K8 is a fine example of how exclusive sports licenses hurt the average consumer. PlayStation 3 owners at least have the option of MLB 08, but if you're an Xbox 360 owner and looking for a baseball game, it's either MLB 2K8 or the highway. And that's just not right.

looks good

it's got alot of great ideas

god of destiny wrote:

it's got alot of great ideas

yeah it does

most of the games are on the ps2. damn i've been looking to buy a baseball game, but no luck, these games are rare to find.

god of destiny wrote:

most of the games are on the ps2. damn i've been looking to buy a baseball game, but no luck, these games are rare to find.

why would u want a baseball game?

just ASK around i'm sure someone would sell you a second hand copy

well the MLB the show series is pretty good, so said my cousin, and if he says a game is good, it worth it. maybe i should ask him to lend me that