Product Description

Major League Baseball 2K8 returns to the diamond.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #726 in Video Games
• Brand: 2K Sports
• Released on: 2008-03-04
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: Nintendo Wii
• Dimensions: .40 pounds

Features

• Broadcast booth with Jon Miller and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan
• Point and flick pitching
• Swing the Wii remote like a bat
• "Smart Throw" technology helps players to field easily and throw to the best base
• Control the speed of their baserunning by shaking the Wii Remote and Nunchuk simultaneously

Amazon.com
Major League Baseball 2K8 takes full advantage of the Wii remote with fun, new gameplay controls.

Features:

• Pitching - To pitch, players simply point the Wii Remote at the screen, pull back to start the pitcher's motion, then flick the Wii Remote forward. The quicker the player flicks the remote, the more velocity and movement the pitch will have. The Nunchuk can be used to view a player’s pitch arsenal and to select which pitch to throw.
• Batting - Swinging for the fences with Major League Baseball 2K8 on Wii will provide fans with even more fun when they control the Wii Remote as if they were swinging a real bat. The Nunchuk acts to control the direction of the ball.
• Fielding - While controlling their designated player using the Nunchuk, players can snag fly balls and use the Wii Remote to throw to the appropriate base. Players can use Major League Baseball 2K8's "Smart Throw" technology to throw to the best base by simply flicking the Wii Remote or can manually choose which base to throw to by pressing a direction on the directional pad.
• Baserunning - Players can control the speed of their baserunning by shaking the Wii Remote and Nunchuk simultaneously, then pushing both controllers to slide.
• Best Booth in the Business - 2K Sports proudly brings back the duo Jon Miller and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan to the broadcast booth, delivering the deepest commentary available.

Customer Reviews

MLB 2K8...Swing...and a miss
Wow...this game could have been absolutely fantastic for the Wii. However, there are some MAJOR components missing or severely lacking with this game.

1) The graphics are Playstation 2 quality...and that's being nice. I understand the Wii isn't a graphics powerhouse like the 360 or PS3, but after playing Super Mario Galaxy and seeing screenshots of Super Smash Brothers, it's obvious that the 2K team on this project dropped the ball.

2) Hitting is insanely difficult. I have played seven exhibition games now and am having a rather difficult time with it.

3) No online multiplayer. I don't get that decision.

4) No minor leagues. I've checked and can't find it...although the box has the official minor league sticker on the case. Not really a big deal in my opinion.


There are some good points to the game...

1) The commentators are insanely good. Actually the best in any sports game that I have played.

2) The pitching controls are really good. You choose a type of pitch, then point your remote to where you want the ball to go, then flick your wrist to begin the pitch...a bullseye will appear with red, yellow, and green areas. You want to get it in the green area. You use a throwing motion to lock in that bullseye location.

3) Defense motion is very realistic. I've had my shortstop dive at a ground ball and then make the throw to first from his knees. I've had several double play balls that are just crazy realistic.

If you can get over the pathetic graphics and lack of online play, then my guess is that you would really enjoy this game. I have a feeling that I will improve on the hitting over time...so I can't dog that too much. If the graphics were better I would have given this four stars. Add the online play, and I would give it five stars.

Good Baseball Game
Baseball games have long been my favorite use of gaming consoles. From Super Baseball on the Atari 2600 to MVP Baseball 2005 on the Game Cube, I've played more innings than the average major leaguer does in his career.

Now I've got this game to round out my arsenal. I was a bit hesitant at first given the reluctance to move to 2K sports games by some MVP players, but I figured I'd give it a shot. I've been very satisfied with it and find the controls are the next best thing to playing the real deal.

If you're expecting flat out real life hitting like you get on the Wii Sports game, you won't find it here. However, you still have to swing the controller to hit the ball. It's actually easier than it sounds although you will probably fare better if you play or used to play baseball. I caught on right away, since I am used to swinging bats in real life, but an opponent I played had never played baseball and had a lot of trouble with hitting at first.

Pitching, to me, was the harder of the two elements. Perhaps the same logic applies to pitching as it does to hitting--I'm an infielder in real life--and having experience helps. It took me about three games to get used to the style of pitching. Be warned that you will wind up having half your staff ejected for hitting everyone when you're still getting used to the controls...

Two player mode is well done. Be aware that you can select the pitch by moving the analog stick--the screen doesn't display that but now that I examine it a bit more I realize that feature is intentional--otherwise you're essentially tipping pitches.

Rosters can be managed and players can be created. Existing players can be modified (Adam La Roche on the Pirates, for example, will need his number changed from 17 to 25).

Some have commented on graphics of this game. Keep in mind that this is the Wii, not the X-Box 360. I have no problems with the graphics and believe the face rendering is the best in any game you'll find out there. I also have noticed the players have every move of their batting stance in the game, making it seem even more realistic.

I recommend this game for anyone who is interested in baseball and has played at least a season or two in real life. Baseball games have come a long way from pressing the "A" button to swing at a pitch and now require the user to actually play the game. (If you're strictly an armchair manager, I suggest Out of the Park Baseball instead).

Three steps away from great
Okay, if you're reading this review after having read a whole bunch from a lot of sites, including Amazon, you are probably as confused as I was before I picked this game up a couple of weeks ago. Well, I will try to be as up-front as I can about this game and hope that my comments help you decide to buy it.

I titled the review "three steps away..." because the game is just that: GOOD, but not quite at "great" yet. The basics:

Batting: This is only difficult if you can't get the hang of Wii Sports. It's all about timing. Hitting in a specific direction has never been easier, and I love the ease of bunting and hitting fly balls. (A)

Pitching: I actually really enjoy the pitching. It is also timing based, but the fact that this sports game uses the Wii-mote effectively is a big plus. I also like the realistic movement on MOST pitches. There are a couple that move too much for a low-caliber pitcher, but nonetheless, pitching is solid. (A-)

Fielding: The fielding controls are a little sensitive, but not unreasonable. I found myself diving when I didn't want to once or twice, but climbing the wall and sprinting when necessary are still pretty easy to accomplish. (B-)

Depth: The lack of complete minors rosters is a bit frustrating. I am a fantasy baseball fan, so I'm seeing a few guys hit the majors right now that aren't in the game. BUT, for the most part, the rosters are okay. Some complain that trades weren't accounted for, but not having Santana on the Mets, while frustrating, isn't earth-shattering.
The game modes are solid, but the lack of minors involvment is tough to have missed. I also enjoy the trading card system, which is NOT in this game. (C)

So, the "three steps" are:
- Graphics: No, this Wii isn't as advanced as 360 and PS3, BUT it should look better than PS2, right?!?
- Depth: I think the lack of minors and trading cards is acceptable for the first year of this game, but I hope it makes it into 2K9 and beyond.
- Fielding: The fielding is a bit choppy and inconsistent at times. This is the only gameplay gripe I've found, and it's not a huge one.

I'd grade MLB 2K8 as a B-. I think the game is good, not great. I think that this first effort is a baseball sim that isn't complete. If they can get the graphics slightly better, add some depth, and tweak the minor gameplay issues, it will be an "A" game.