MVP BASEBALL 2004

this game is great it lets you get mvp points on which you can get differnt uniforms and stadeums.and players

I love baseball. I've played for years and have followed my hometown Pirates since I was a little boy. I first played simulated baseball on Triple Play 2000 for N64. When I got a GameCube I switched to All Star Baseball because it was the only one available. I liked both games, but found out ASB is no longer made for GameCube. Figuring that I liked EA's Triple Play game, I gave this one a try.

This has everything you'd ever want in a baseball game. The gameplay is excellent in all aspects. It's got any player who played in 2003 and allows for player creation and modification (so you can change numbers, ability, etc). The business aspects are simulated perfectly, far better than any other game I've ever seen. You can be the player, manager, and GM, as well as every coach and director in between.

To appreciate this game you have to like baseball. A lot of gamers don't like sports games, but that's probably because they're geeks who don't play or watch sporting events. Don't go by what those video game magazines tell you--those guys don't like sports.

This game is in my Hall of Fame right up there with Super Mario Bros 3.

I've played quite a few MLB games on the old Playstation and the Nintendo 64. From "High Heat Baseball" to "Triple Play," I've played my share. One thing that I really enjoyed about the "Triple Play" games is the fact that you had to warm-up your bullpen to get them ready to pitch. "MVP Baseball 2004" has that and all of the other great aspects of the "Triple Play" games, plus loads of other features that can't be matched by other baseball formats.

One of the neatest things about this game is all of the throwback uniforms, legendary players and stadiums that you can earn by performing certain feats during a game such as winning a game in extra innings, getting ten runs, hitting .600, etc. For every feat you perform you earn a certain amount of points. After you accumulate enough points, you can "purchase" throwback uniforms, from the cool ones(Astros) to the wretched ones(Pirates), or players. Once you've acquired all of the players, you then have access to some new stadiums. You can also play in the minors. The Zephyrs are still part of the Astros organization on this game, and they give you access to players like Brandon Backe.

The gameplay is as close to the real thing as I've ever seen. Multiple camera angles capture every move, every slide, and even little things like eye movement and spin on the ball. You recognize pitchers by their throwing style and hitters like Jeff Bagwell and Gary Sheffield by their unique batting stances(Craig Counsell's unorthodox stance is also included). Ichiro looks like Ichiro. Jeff Kent looks like Jeff Kent. In fact, I'd say that ninety-percent of all of the players actually look like themselves. Only a few that I've seen look nothing like their actual selves(Morgan Ensberg and Adam Everett come to mind). Players make diving catches and barrel through the catcher as if you're seated on the third baseline. Pitches are delivered with perfection(if you throw it properly) and you can differentiate between a curve, slider, knuckleball, etc. when your waiting at the plate.

If you can't already tell, I'm a big Astros fan. Minute Maid Park looks beautiful on this game. When you hit a homerun, the train takes off across the tracks just like the real deal. You can see Seahawks Stadium in the outfield of the Mariner's Safeco Field. The Green Monster at Fenway has the newly installed seats on top of it. In other words, a lot of attention was given to details that many other games look beyond.

Bat control is very good. You can pretty much put the ball wherever you want if you have a player at the plate who can handle the Rocket's pitches. Bunting is also pretty easy to master.

I highly recommend this game for its lifelike presentation of the grand old game. It's pretty easy to learn and the control is excellent once you have it downpat. Also, there are tons of features and playing style to choose from.

A great buy.

By the way, the Expos will live forever on this game!!!!!

I've never had any problems with my GameCube before and I experienced my first problem with this game. Why 4 stars? That is the reason. I would have rated it five but it broke. But the games graphics are amazing. I had a whole team of created players so the game was awesome. If you are looking for a game, this is the baseball game to buy. I think mine just broke becasue somebody tampered with it, but whatever. Remeber, great game!!

Graphics 8/10
Gameplay 8/10
Sound 9/10
Replayability 10/10

This game is great, it is a little annoying though when you have to keep messing with the settings because it is insanely hard one time, then it is wicked easy the next time when you are scoring like 20 runs in a game. But overall this game is great.