Product Description

MVP Baseball 2005 offers serious baseball fans an unprecedented level of control and variety. Whether you want total control of your at-bat, read the pitch, or try your skill sas an owner, it's all here. Make your run for the pennant in a fully featured Spring Training mode, playing in unbelievable 3D stadiums. With all-new unlockable legends and gear and head-to-head online play, MVP Baseball 2005 is the most fun, polished, innovative, and authentic baseball simulation ever created. Hitter's Eye visual indicator picks up the pitch as soon as it leaves a pitcher's hand Take your game online and track fantasy baseball stats in-game with the latest MLB news and live scores

---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3943 in Video Games
• Brand: Electronic Arts
• Model: 14633148909
• Released on: 2005-02-23
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: Xbox
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .50 pounds

Features

• Enhanced Big Play controls - Make your players stretch and dive, beat pickoff throws and more
• Precision pitching lets you paint the corners, or own the plate by moving in the batter's box
• Become an Owner and control every aspect of your team's lineup, building players during Spring Training and other mini-games
• New tools for creating your own ballpark - Build a pitcher's paradise or a hitter's dream
• Advanced Single-A squads and new stadiums to expand the Minor Leagues

Amazon.com

After working your way through all of the new content in this year's Major League Baseball, you can't help but eye MVP like you would an old pair of cleats. The new material that EA has implemented is minimal at best, and most of the additions don't generate a lot of excitement. With that said, this is still the best-playing baseball game on the market. It may feel old hat, but it handles the fundamentals and nuances of the game much better than Major League. You really get the distinct feeling that the team spent a lot of time polishing the game to attain the highest level of authenticity possible.

Fielding is tighter than last year, allowing players to really get a good feel for each position on the diamond. The implementation of a perfect marker on the pitching meter makes it more difficult to paint the corners, so you shouldn't throw as many no-hitters as you did last year. Batters can also read pitchers thanks to the new Hitter's Eye feature, which briefly color-coats the ball as it is thrown to tell you what you are swinging at. This looks a bit goofy in my opinion, but since you can't read the spin on the laces like players do, it's a nice solution.

Most of the changes are found in the frontend. As in the Madden games, players can now run the finances of their team and build their own stadium. I really got a kick out of this new feature. Enticing people to come to games by selecting free gifts for fan appreciation days is a lot of fun, and actually having to build a winning team that brings in enough funds to upgrade the stadium facilities makes sense. It's very gratifying to watch your stadium grow from a rinky dink park to a colossal sporting venue. The only drawback is that unlike football's quick 16-game season, you'll need to play or sim through hundreds, maybe thousands of games to get your team where you want it. Going even further with the minor leagues, players can now play and manage rosters for their club's A-ball team. Franchise options don't get much deeper than this.

EA has also included addictive minigames for both batting and pitching. Like Tetris, you can't seem to put the controller down once you start playing. Thankfully, you'll receive points for performing well in these games that can be used to purchase legendary players (new Hall of Famers like Carlton Fisk are included), classic stadiums (Bloomington, anyone?), and tons of throwback jerseys.

This game is put together incredibly well, but fans who vested hundreds of hours in last year's iteration will likely be let down by the familiarity on the field. Conversely, if you are just looking for a solid gameplay package, MVP is still the game to beat.

Concept:
A highly polished, yet only slightly changed follow-up to last year's release

Graphics:
Virtually identical to last year. The detail of the created stadiums is exceptional, however

Sound:
he commentary team doesn't even come close to delivering on the same level of Major League's dynamic duo. The soundtrack is better than last year, however

Playability:
Pitching is a bit more difficult this time around (as it should be), fielding is easier to get a grasp on, and batters can now read pitches

Entertainment:
Owner mode offers an unprecedented level of depth, and the gameplay is still in a league of its own

Replay:
Moderate

Rated: 8.5 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
Issue: March 2005

2nd Opinion:
With a methodical, Yankees-like approach, MVP continues to build its dynasty brick by brick. However, 2005's gameplay remains largely unchanged. It seems that additions like Hitter's Eye were only introduced to make things easier for people – so I suggest you turn this unexciting feature off. Owner's mode gives you some stadium options to play with, but the Spring Training minigames were what I was most excited about. It's just too bad that there isn't more to scouting in the off-season. If you're still slogging through a 162-game season from last year, I could see you not getting this title and being fine with that. It's still the best, but it hasn't gotten much better in the meantime.

Rated: 8.5 out of 10
Editor: Matthew Kato


Subscribe to Game Informer

---

Customer Reviews

E.A. Steals football, they lose baseball after 05, sigh.
Ahh, the ability to play a 30 year season after season mode called "Owner Mode" Ouch. Do you have that much time on your hands? Shame on if you do!!

I have 04 and I played it to death, so I was ready for a change, not just roster updates, but a change in the game to make it fresh and appealing. Yes, as you read above, the new Owner Mode will keep you playing until you're in a nursing home, but the the big addition this year of course is the ability to take your skills on XBOX Live which is a big plus compared to 04 and if you have XBOX Live, this certainly gives it more replay value by allowing you to play with anyone anytime.

Putting it to the test, I looked for some other changes in the game. E.A. added the "batters or hitters" eye feature. It gives you a quick glimpse with a flash of light right when the ball leaves the pitchers hand. The ball changes colors as it's thrown to show you what type of pitch is being launched. The ball leaves a contrail, a lot like a comet that helps players to tell the the speed and trajectory of the pitch. The better a player's batting attributes, the longer a pitch will retain its color and contrail as it comes down the shoot. It gives you a split second to determine where the ball will probably end up giving you the chance to swing accordingly. It's definitely in favor of the batter and can be turned on or off in the options screen. For me, its just for a little glitz and something new, but I don't feel it's a neat or cool addition to the game. I also don't seem to hit better with or without it, I suppose in the end, it's up to you.

The graphics are better than last year, this time supporting 780HD TV's and people with wide screen will be in love. The graphics overall have also been heaved up the mark. The players faces looked quite bad last year, flat faces, with no character. E.A. listened, the players faces look more lifelike and show more emotion than ever and you can recognize the big name boys at first glance. Signature batting stances are also more pronounced this year and each year I see them getting closer to the real guys signature moves and stance. I'd like to see a little spitting and player mannerisms before they go to bat, but the stances will have to do. Crotch grabbing also is not one of E.A.'s focuses this year either, thank goodness. I noticed a few more diving catches and some fantastic motion captured throws and dives than '04. I really couldn't notice them at first glance, but the more you play, the more you appreciate the time spent in the varied and countless motion captured moves througout the game. The most important part of any baseball game is fluid gameplay and MVP baseball plays as smooth as you could want especially when you field, it just seems so natural.

The sound is right on the mark, teriffic sound effects, sounds of the bat smaking the ball, trash talking in the stands, screaming fans, good announcing and great Digital Music, they got that right. The owner mode is right on mark too and is the dynasty mode for baseball. It's a bit different than other E.A games though, it's more or less about pricing tickets for your stadium, concessions, and trying to get fans to the games that don't bring in revenues usually. Owner mode is about making money and keeping your players happy. If you got the time, and shame on you if you do, the game allows you 30 years to make your organization successful. 30 years of gaming, hmmm, how do people find time to do this??

But don't cry, sports games is about multiplayer action anyway, and with the ability to go at it online and play with a friend on your couch, that is how the game should be played anyway.

Anyhoo, as many people know, this could be the last MVP baseball, at least for some years anyway due to the licensing issues with other companies, but since E.A. stole the NFL license in return, I'm happy to see someone else do it to them. I find it appauling the world allows rich game companies to buy out licenses to keep other game companies from competing. E.A. may say otherwise, but that is basically what they are doing. Mind you, I love E.A. but with less competition for the future, does this mean less quality for their games? Let's pray and hope not.

Back to the game, this game is very fun. The graphics are a lot better than 04 and I was happy to see it on XBOX Live too. I have to say it plays great so far, and I have not seen any XBOX Lag issues for it yet.I just hope more people join the bandwagon, (I think everyone is playing NBA Street) If you don't have XBOX Live, the Owner mode will keep you happy for 30 years though, so don't think this game doesn't have any replay value. Enjoy it this year, it could be the last E.A. baseball game this decade. Pooh!

The Elite of 2005's Lineup
MVP Baseball 2005 is the closest game currently on the market to give you the most in-depth baseball experience possible. In my opinion, the only people not liking some aspects of this game will be New York Yankees fans. It's not only Manny on the cover, but also the intro video, cracks and comments throughout the games and even a song praising Boston's first title in 86 years. Well, all I can say is, if you can't overlook those things, you're missing one fantastic game. Let's break it down:

Owner Mode:
New this year is Owner Mode where you begin with picking a stadium (not one of the existing ballparks, but a starter stadium) and making a few upgrades (seating, lights, whatever you can afford before opening day). You can add a restaurant, set ticket prices, make promotional days and on and on.

You have a financial advisor for the season, budget reports, player contracts, etc. One note: Yes, you can be the owner and play the game just like you would in Dynasty Mode. You can sim, play individual games, manage the game or sit in your luxury box and watch it all take place. There is so much to this mode that I couldn't possibly fit it into this review.

Dynasty Mode:
This mode is essentially the same as last year. Keep the owner happy, the players, do contracts and play the games. It's been updated and tweaked for more user friendly experience. And I can't leave out that this year, you even have single-A teams in addition to AA, AAA, and MLB.

Mini Games:
Instead of just a Home Run Derby, EA has included a variety of features that can teach you different aspects of the game. There is batting practice, pitching practice and also a scenario editor. To me, I found it to be an enjoyable experience especially when hitting the cars and busses over the outfield wall. This seems like a throw back to Triple-Play 2000 when you had target practice.

Graphics:
Simply amazing. Need I say more? The players faces and stances are mirrored to their real-life counterparts. Cutscenes, and animations are gorgeous. The only thing I found a proble with was the crowd...even in 2005, they are still wooden-looking. That's a sacrifice you have to make and it doesn't detract from the game experience.

Gameplay:
What a shift from last year! Pitching is now a lot more realistic with the way you use the meter. Instead on the old meter where you set power and tried to hit right spot, they have upgraded it to you having to stop it and exactly the right moment, if not, you risk and early or late breaking pitch. In rookie mode, it's not as big of a deal as it is in MVP mode. Make some mistake pitches in the higher levels and you're asking for trouble.

Batting is great! When you foul off a pitch, a little screen comes up and shows you how you hit it. Fouling off a pitch is a mistimed swing, same as a swing through. Gone is the animation where you swung, missed the ball and it popped up the crazy box to show you missing it. Instead, this year, they have the popup box, yet include the ball trail so you see how you missed it.

Fielding & baserunning is comparable to last years version with some great upgrades to visuals. There are plenty of dives, showboating grabs, wall jumps, and take-out slides.

Ok, I could go on & on with this review because, like I said, this is the most in-depth baseball game I have ever seen. If you want the best out there, MVP Baseball 2005 hits a Home Run.

MVP goes out with style
You know what really irks me about the recent exclusivity licenses given to EA (Football) and Take Two (Baseball)? It's the fact that the licenses had been taken away from the games I liked (NFL 2K5 and MVP Baseball) and got awarded to their statistically worse opponents, Madden and MLB 2K5 (at least in my mind they are). Sigh! At least MVP doesn't give a dismal, or even a decent performance in it's final show (for at least a while anyway), MVP stole the show and then burned the stage to the ground! I will be looking forward to the ending of the exclusive licensing of the MLB, since I will have this game to come back to when it ends...

Pros: 1. Owner Mode (Choose to be a George Steinbrenner or a Bud Selig with your franchise for 30 years!)

2. Better fan sound (very loud chants of LETS GO BUCS in my stadium... and I only have a 12,000 seating capacity!)

3. The A league farm teams are added to round out the minor league system (who doesn't want to be the Lynchburg Hillcats?)

4. Oodles and oodles of Unlockables (I haven't unlocked anything yet, but I hear that is is deeper than last year)

5. You can still manage a ball club long after your grandkids are dead in Dynasty Mode (it and Owner mode are two separate modes)

6. Mini-games to give that extra boost to a prospect or star player (in Dynasty or Owner Mode)

7. Common bugs from last year are fixed (progression is less erratic and Players develop into stars and the lefty bug is gane as well)

8. Hitting and pitching are a lot harder this year (realism)

9. Allows for 720p picture on a high definiton TV (If I had my Xbox hooked up to one, i'd still be ogling right now)

10. The Hitters eye (have an easier time hitting... It hasn't helped me though...)

11. Send the manager out and argue with the umpire!

12. Filters on the managers e-mail (no more spam!)

13. Online play

Cons: 1. Hitting and Pitching are a lot harder this year (frustration)

2. Hitter's eye (too hitting-oriented?)

3. The EA Trax stink (the Trax this year are all forgettable and at many times annoying songs from who-the-heck-is-this bands)

4. No custom soundtrack options (this has always irked me about EA. They have custom soundtrack options for titles such as Madden and NASCAR, but they do not have it for some of the other titles)

5. The commentary is basically recycled from last year and with no new dialogue

6. Curse the Vortex from the hitting mini-game... it makes the ball fly back beyond the foul line

7. Online play is just so-so

Final Verdict: Definite buy. This is probably going the be the last MVP title for a long time and even with the limited online options, the single-player modes will keep you busier for most likely longer than the actual MLB Season this year. I probably wouldn't be suprised if some people actually play MVP 2005 until the exclusive license agreement has ended... that's how addictive this game is.