Major League Baseball 2K9

Major League Baseball 2K9
Xbox 360box art featuringTim Lincecumas the cover athlete
Developer(s)	Visual Concepts Wii:2K China
Publisher(s)	2K
Series	2K Sports Major League Baseball
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows,Xbox 360,PlayStation 2,PlayStation 3,PlayStation Portable,Wii
Release	NA:March 3, 2009 JP:July 7, 2009
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single-player,multiplayer

Major League Baseball 2K9,orMLB 2K9for short, is anMLB-licensedbaseballsimulation video game published by2K.The game was developed forMicrosoft Windows,Xbox 360,PlayStation 2,PlayStation 3,PlayStation PortableandWii.The game was released on March 3, 2009, to mixed-to-positive reviews.

Gameplay

Tim Lincecumon the mound.

New features were implemented for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 versions. Pitching had been simplified from2K8to "2-step pitching", with "hold and gesture", eliminating the third "Release Timing" step of2K8,simplifying the motion while retaining the style."Meatballs" (mistake pitches) have been removed - instead, badly released pitches will be less effective (fastballs will be straighter, curveballs will hang, and so forth.)The AI's pitch selection was also improved.(Players may elect to use the third step as an option, and users may also still use the older Precision Pitching from2K7.)"Influence hitting" allowed users to control fly and ground balls, and bunt with improved precision. The developers added a zone hitting feature, improved hit distribution, and improved fielding realism and AI. Also added is the ability to cancel a throw and hold the ball, or pump fake during a rundown. A player can also attempt a "Quick Throw" which gets the ball to a base faster but also increases the chance of an error.Baserunning control has been simplified; a player only needs to hold down the trigger until it vibrates, for instance, then release it when ready to attempt a steal. There are also separate "Steal" and "Speed" ratings for runners.

The ballpark realism has been changed as well. Players graphically move from the dugout to the batter's box, from the bullpen to the mound, warm up by throwing around the horn, swing the bat in the on deck circle, run out to their positions, and so forth. Umpires, ball boys, and coaches will perform their actions, while fans react realistically. For example, foul balls will cause people in the crowd to jump out of their seats and try to catch the ball, however some fans that have no real chance to get the ball will make a foolish jump in the air.Stadiums will have their unique fan signatures; for example,Turner Fieldwill have theTomahawk ChopwhileTropicana Fieldwill have the Cow Bell.Players will react properly to such events as a walk-off home run, a no-hitter or a World Series celebration. There are also 300 new Signature Style animations.Rain delays have also been mentioned. Arguing with the umpires is not featured in the Xbox 360 version of the game or the PS3 version.

The game also had "Living Rosters", active rosters that are automatically updated when the user logs in online; players' ratings will be constantly updated, while up-to-date trades and acquisitions will be reflected in-game.Living Rosters are not active during Franchise mode, however.The game also features a revamped stat simulation engine for the Franchise mode, while players' career arcs are based on how they play rather than preset stat curves.In other words, in order for a rookie to develop, he must receive playing time - he will not develop if he sits on the bench.An entire season can be simulated in a matter of minutes.Other improvements to the Franchise mode include adding a new revamped trade simulator and over 200 individual MLB.com headlines.2K9’s franchise mode allows for 30 user controlled teams. The mode also has added stats; for example they have included wins divided by teams' payroll.

The game has been updated with anMLB.com-licensed in-game "Virtual Director" website featuring a presentation style similar toNBA 2K9,where the user may check up on league events, trade rumors, player and team performances.The game has improved upon2K8's Inside Edge scouting system. The game boasts a new level of CPU customization, multi-player functionality, and real player ambitions; for example,Milton Bradleycan decline a contract because of lack of playing time, not for monetary considerations.Record-breaking and milestone performances, whether single game, season or career, are acknowledged with headlines and snapshots of the event.There is also a new gameplay mode, "Playoff Mode", in which the user only plays in the postseason. The PC version, like itsNBA 2K9counterpart, will not feature online play or Living Rosters.UnlikeMLB 2K6,2K9will not feature the2009 World Baseball Classic.

In other improvements, users can now add SFX and graphic overlays to in-game replays to create highlight reels, as well as upload the reel to 2KSports.com, while online users' performances are graphed out, displayed in chart form, and can be compared against league averages. TheToppsTrading Cards system from2K8has been improved, while theHome Run Derbymode has also been revamped.Unlike the previousMLBtitles, there are no pre-rendered cutscenes; all cutscenes are done in real-time with in-game assets.

The game also implementsPlayStation 3 Trophies,while Xbox 360Achievementsare represented as trophies in-game.

The Wii, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable versions are not as fully featured as on the primary platforms, but have their own platform-specific features. The Wii version takes advantage of theWii Remote,with "Wii Remote pitching" (players use the Wii Remote to control every pitch) and "Wiimote hitting" (players use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk for hitting, allowing the player to place their hits in relation to theirswing timing,swing speed and swing angle.) The PlayStation 2 allows a player to control up to 4 different franchises simultaneously, and will allow PS2 online play. The PSP version features "True to Form Fielding", featuring improved fielding control and single player control. It also has a minor league farm system, allowing AAA scouting and managing, as well as allowing the player to play full games with AAA clubs.

Commentators

Game trading screen.

MLB 2K9has a new broadcasting team withGary Thorneproviding the play-by-play andSteve Phillipsfilling in the color commentary. The duo replacesJon MillerandJoe Morgan,who had been the commentators in past2Kinstallments for the previous 4 years. All four personalities are regularESPN Major League Baseball broadcasters.Fox Sports'Jeanne ZelaskoandSteve Physiocremain the reporters, giving 7th inning and post game updates, as well as on-field reports.

Cover athlete

Main article:Tim Lincecum

2008 NL Cy Young Award winnerTim Lincecumof theSan Francisco Giantsis the cover athlete for2K9,replacingJosé Reyes.

Development

Then-lead developer Ben Brinkman's1UP.com logclaimed thatMLB 2K9represented the final act of a planned three year development cycle for 2K's baseball series for next gen systems.He restated the "three year plan" in a January 18, 2008 podcast withOfficial Xbox Magazine.In both interviews, Brinkman stated that2K9,the third game, would represent the final, most polished version of the next gen series. However, Brinkman walked away from the series after the release ofMLB 2K8,handing the reins back toVisual Concepts.

The game received a day one patch on March 3, 2009, to fix a compromised franchise mode and connectivity issues.A second patch has been released for the PS3 on April 1, 2009, and for PC and Xbox 360 on April 3, 2009. The patch has addressed many issues, but most notably the AI batting aggression and the ease of home runs in online mode and certain difficulties.

Reception

Reception

Aggregate scores

Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	70.00% (PC) 66.00% (PS2) 64.11% (X360) 60.00% (PSP) 59.53 (PS3) 59.30% (Wii)
Metacritic	64/100 (X360) 61/100 (PS3) 61/100 (Wii)

Review scores

Publication	Score
1Up.com	D+ (X360) D (PS3)
GameSpot	4.5/10 (X360/PS3)
GameSpy	3.5/5
GamesRadar+	7/10
IGN	6.8/10 6.4/10 (Wii)
Official Xbox Magazine(US)	6.5/10
TeamXbox	7.1/10

The high expectations forMLB 2K9resulted in disappointment, as2K9actually received worse average reviews than its derided predecessor,2K8.GameSpotcomplained, "Either MLB 2K9 shipped in a half-finished state or the developers have never seen a baseball, much less thrown one around, "citing bizarre gameplay and noting the game was"crammed with bugs."1UP.comcalled it "...a game that tries so hard to prove that the series is progressing, but ignores fixing the issues that have plagued it for years: poor defense, sloppy animations, and catering to the home run..."IGNstated, "Major League Baseball 2K9fixes some of the issues from the past and sets the groundwork for a great game, but there are far too many bugs to recommend. "TeamXboxsaid that it had, "Lots of great improvements to the game's core mechanics, but the bugs will drive you insane".Official Xbox Magazinesaid that its "laundry list of annoying little problems is too substantial."GamesRadarcalled the game a "paradox", calling it "fun and accessible", but "suffers from too many gaffes that are impossible to ignore."Operation Sportsnoted that "...most games play out like a high-pitch summersoftballleague game... one of those leagues where all the players have $500 NASA engineered bats."GameSpystated that casual fans would be attracted to the game, while "hardcore" simmers would be turned off by it.

IGN's review of the Wii version had some diametrically opposed criticism of2K9,stating it was too easy to strike out hitters with too-precise pitching, as well as a "laughable" franchise mode that featured 1 year, $40 million salaries for players likeDanys Báezand no online play despite promises for one after2K8was released.

DS spin-off

As with2K8,a more "baseball-lite" version ofMLB 2K9was released for theNintendo DScalledMajor League Baseball 2K9 Fantasy All-Stars,which features fantasy elements such as power-ups and fantasy stadiums. The game retains similar gameplay toits predecessor.

Reception

IGNgaveMajor League Baseball 2K9 Fantasy All-Starsa 6.2 out of 10, deeming it a significant step up from its predecessor and citing the improvements made to pitching and touch controls as positives.IGNalso criticized the stadium gimmicks, pacing, and the lack of an in-depth season or franchise mode.

Soundtrack

The following songs appear in the soundtrack:

Band	Song
Boys Like Girls	On Top of the World
Cheap Trick	Hello There
Coheed and Cambria	A Favor House Atlantic
Dirty Secrets	White Lies
Europe	The Final Countdown
Hey Monday	Should've Tried Harder
Len	Steal My Sunshine
Daniel Lenz	Groovin' Now
Lit	Lipstick and Bruises
The Killers	Human
Nortec Collective	Tengo la Voz
Ted Nugent	Motor City Madhouse
Judas Priest	You've Got Another Thing Comin'
The Romantics	What I Like About You
Royal Temple	World Wide
Chris Sernel	Take It or Leave It
SR-71	Right Now
Loverboy	The Kid is Hot Tonite

See also

• MLB 09: The Show
• Major League Baseball 2K8
• Major League Baseball 2K10

External links

• Official site
• 2K Sports