Before You Buy, The Tale Of The Tape: MLB 09 Versus MLB 2K9

Playstation 3, XBOX 360, Wii, PSP, Playstation 2. These are some of the Video Gaming consoles necessary to play MLB 09: The Show and MLB 2K9. I went a little bit nerd on this, but I figured it had to be done with the release of these two games on Tuesday, March 3rd.

This is a comparison between Playstation Network's MLB 09: The Show and 2K Sports' MLB 2K9.

Now everyone who has been playing baseball on a video game console knows that the short lived, EA Sports MVP Baseball (2003, 2004, 2005) was graphically and technologically the best baseball series of video games out there with it's MVP game engine. Once EA Sports lost it's exclusive rights to publish Major League Baseball games, two new series took hold.

These two series are: Sony's MLB (Year): The Show and 2K Sports' ESPN Baseball 2K (Year), now known as MLB 2K (number). The MLB 2K series started in 2004, where as the MLB series has been around since 1999, and The Show Series has been around since 2006 with MLB '06: The Show.

The Features of MLB 2K9

• Living Rosters – Active roster updates guarantee your game is current. Rosters are automatically updated behind the scenes, so you're never late on a trade and always have the hottest players in your starting lineup.
• More Signature Style – 2K Sports adds to its impressive library of player–specific animations with more than 300 new signature animations, bringing players to life at the plate, on the mound and in the field, allowing you to play ball like never before.
• Next-Gen Controls – Right stick pitching, batting and responsive fielding bring your virtual baseball experience into the next generation. Improved two-step Precision Pitching controls, deeper Swing Stick batting and quick fielding responses round out your control of the game.
• Franchise Mode – Take charge of your franchise and enjoy the all-new MLB.com presentation style, a new level of CPU customization, multi-player functionality, and real player ambitions.
• Swing Stick Advanced – Now you can really Play Ball. Improved batting controls give batters the ability to influence hits with timing and aim. Improved hit distribution and variety deliver more hit types including spray shots, pulls, line drives and long bombs.
• Inside Edge 2009 – Inside Edge produces remarkably accurate player tendencies. With more than 6 years of scouting reports infused into the action on the field, Inside Edge ensures that players react to in-game situations as they would in real life.
• 2K HD/Real-Time Atmosphere – An all-new Virtual Director brings in-game broadcasts to life in real-time with smart camera placement, angles, and cuts. Real-Time Atmosphere adds to the presentation package by bringing nuances to life throughout the duration of a game. Lighting, umpires, ball boys and coaches all move and progress naturally and seamlessly for a true-to-life ballpark experience.
• New Broadcast Team – Gary Thorne provides the play by play calls alongside color analyst Steve Phillips giving a new perspective and more depth for a true-to-life, insightful broadcast. With improved sound effects including real time crowd noise you'll feel like you're actually sitting in the park.
• New Postseason Mode – Jump right into the postseason without having to play through 162 regular season games. And if you win it all, experience a World Series celebration in true championship style.
• Team 2K – An online competition lasting 10 weeks to compile a team of the best online players. Just play Ranked Quick Matches to compete and win prizes.
• 2K Share – How do you play ball? Create, upload, and share rosters, sliders, and even players created with the all-new Player DNA feature. This also includes the newly added Reelmaker, where you can now direct your own digital video highlight reels and post them on 2KSports.com for all the world to watch and admire.

System Exclusive features of MLB 2K9

Wii Features:

• Pinpoint Pitching – Use the Wii Remote to control every pitch. A Flick of the remote, as you pitch, will increase velocity and movement on your pitches.
• Precise Hitting – Use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk for total control of your hitting. The Wii Remote allows you to place your hits in relation to your swing timing, swing speed and swing angle.
• Signature Style – Individual MLB player-specific batting stances, step-ins, step-outs, home run celebrations, windups and deliveries create a real life game experience.
• New Broadcast Team – Gary Thorne provides the play by play calls alongside color analyst Steve Phillips giving more depth and realism for a true-to-life conversational broadcast. With improved sound effects including real time crowd noise you'll feel like you're actually sitting in the park.
• New 2K Beats – Featuring Judas Priest, Cheap Trick, Coheed & Cambria, Ted Nugent, SR-71, The Romantics, Boys Like Girls, and Europe.

PlayStation 2 Features:

• GM Career Mode – Control up to 4 different franchises simultaneously. Achieve goals set by franchise owners, simulate seasons and attempt to bring home a World Series Championship.
• Updated Rosters – Capitalize on the past winter's biggest moves with updated rosters and Inside Edge data.
• 2K Sports Online Play – Think you got what it takes to Play ball against the rest of the world? Go Head-to-Head against the best players on the planet.
• New Broadcast Team – Gary Thorne provides the play by play calls alongside color analyst Steve Phillips giving more depth and realism for a true-to-life conversational broadcast. With improved sound effects including real time crowd noise you'll feel like you're actually sitting in the park.
• New 2K Beats – Featuring Judas Priest, Cheap Trick, Coheed & Cambria,Ted Nugent, SR-71, The Romantics, Boys Like Girls, and Europe.

PSP system Features:

• True to Form Fielding – Real life fielding structure brings a Big League experience to the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system. Allowing you to play ball anywhere.
• VIP System – Unique user profile for each and every gamer creating individual tendencies for pitching, batting, fielding, baserunning, and managing style.
• New 2K Beats – Featuring Judas Priest, Cheap Trick, Coheed & Cambria, Ted Nugent, SR-71, The Romantics, Boys Like Girls, and Europe
• The Farm System – Practice your skills at scouting and evaluating Minor League talent by playing full games with Triple-A Clubs.

On the cover of MLB 2K9: Tim Lincecum

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