MLB 2k8 for Wii

[K.C.]

I read a lot of mixed things about this...namely all three versions of the game for the different consoles have issues (with Wii, no online play or online updates, a couple glitches....Xbox360 and PS3, badly put
together online play and frame rate issues).

Still, it's the only legitimate baseball game that's really coming out for the console this year (other than maybe MLB Power Pros), so I figured I'd pick it up.


I like the way it plays so far...the pitching is unique, and the hitting is pretty sweet as it's sensitive to the force behind your swing (although you have to make sure you follow through with a full swing...you just can't flick your wrist, or the thing will start check swinging).

The graphics, of course, are shitty in comparison to the other consoles, but as far as people being so down on the game for Wii because of no online play...I'll be honest...I don't miss it at all, or at least not yet. It plays well enough by itself.

Besides, the with the way 2k appears to have f'd up the online for the other systems...it'd probably be just as bad on the Wii.

The no automatic roster update is the worst thing about the Wii version, but I can make most of the moves to update them myself in about 15 minutes.


So I don't get why so many places are down on this game...it plays nicely.

[HBox]

I'm glad to hear this. Finally a real baseball game on Wii. I'll check this out eventually.

[Tall_James]

I'm looking for a baseball game for the Xbox, this may be the one.

[K.C.]

I'm looking for a baseball game for the Xbox, this may be the one.

I was a big fan of the MVP Baseball series on Xbox, especially the '05 version...but the exclusive contracts over sports games have squashed that, so it's pretty much 2k8 or bust as far as playing baseball games goes.

Same with Madden and the NFL.



But hey...even if I end up hating this game...they're at least sending me a free Jose Reyes bobblehead that I can symbolically burn at the first Phils/Mets game...I think that offer's good until the 25th.

[HBox]

If Microsoft themselves decided to make a MLB game they could. Sony already does it with The Show. First party companies are allowed to make games for their console. That is it. Since Microsoft isn't making a baseball game you're only choice is 2K8.

[K.C.]

A few more observations after playing my first franchise mode game (which I lost 6-4 to the Nats)

-There's a setting for the CPU difficulty that will automatically adjust, supposedly with pretty good precision to your game play. What I think this means is that if you start running off a string of victories, or get hot with certain hitters, the computer AI will automatically adjust to your gameplay to make it harder. This setting is optional, but I put it on.

-The commentary track is the best I've ever heard for a baseball game. The smoothness of it is actually pretty amazing. John Miller and Joe Morgan call the game...Jeanine Zylasko does the pre and post game stuff.

-Another cool AI feature is how all the players adjust to the in-game events. When I started giving up some hits with Cole Hamels, the pitching rhythm changes a little bit and you as the player have to bear down and resettle yourself as a pitcher. Not sure if certain pitchers get rattled easier than others yet.

-There's a lot of neat little things...for instance, on a high pop up...you as the player have to drift back with the ball when you get under. The CPU doesn't take over once you get in the fielding circle...so if the circle keeps drifting back and you don't, you'll miss or drop the ball. Adds some realism to it.

-The hitting is hard with the Wii and will take some getting used to...I was early on a lot of pitches and struck out a bunch.

-Looks like it's going to be hard to draw walks in this game...but that usually is the case with these baseball games.

-I did notice the little check swing glitch people were talking about in some of the reviews...I'm not sure if it has something to do with the way I'm swinging the WiiMote or not...I'll run a few more tests.

Overall...a lot of fun so far. Not sure how the game translates to Xbox or PS3, but it's pretty sweet for the Wii.

[BeerBandit]

Am I correct in assuming that there currently are no Baseball games for the Wii with online play. I would've gotten 2K8 if it had online, but I suppose I'll wait until next year.