MLB 2K12: Innovative New Features We're Excited To See

Despite having one of the best sports video games with the NBA series, 2K Sports is still working out some of the bugs with its Major League Baseball franchise. 

This year—just as in previous years—the team is trying some new, innovative features that are going to make it one of the best sports video games of the year. While we still have to wait another week to get our hands on the finished product, we can still look at what to expect. 

Aside from Kate Upton starring a new commercial for MLB2K12, there are plenty of reasons to give this new installment a go. Here are the best ones that we want to try. 

Finger Mechanics

Speaking of Upton, she teaches David Price, Justin Verlander and others to use the all new pitching mechanics that will make the game different. 

Players will have to perfect the new system in order to ensure they will have success on the mound. It is an adjustment to get used to, but once you do, there is no limit to what you can accomplish on the mound. 

Plus, you will be able to conquer the "Perfect Game Challenge" that could win you $1 million and more importantly, bragging rights over all your friends who are still fiddling around with the new mechanics. 

MLB Today Season Mode

While most games will let you just play through the season however you want, MLB2K12 will take you through the season at the same pace as a real team. 

It is one of the most innovative features in the game, because it challenges you to tone down your playing schedule and follow along with what's going on in real games. 

Without seeing this one up close and personal, it is difficult to say just how this is going to work for players who like to have marathon sessions. It sounds like one of the most creative ideas that the series has developed in a long time. 

All New "Perfect Game Challenge"

Ending with the biggest change for the series—and also the most marketable for fans on the fence about buying the game—is the revamped "Perfect Game Challenge."

In the past, MLB2K12 was marketed around the first person being able to pitch a perfect game would win $1 million.

Now, there is a new format that will rank the top-eight players to throw a perfect game. They will then face off against each other to determine the grand prize winner. 

It sounds a lot like this feature will make use of the Bill James' Game Scores that you can find on ESPN.com after each game, or at least some variation of it. Bringing Sabermetric analysis to video games is a big step in the right direction, if you ask me.

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