yeah PC mods is the way to go, but sadly, my PC isn't quite powerful enough. :( But that's okay, I like playin on the big screen anyway :)

Damn. 2K5 isn't out for PS2 until the 28th. Since I'm jonesing for some baseball, it looks like I'll be going with MVP.

Baseball Games ... Ad Prices?
 

Has anyone seen any prices for the games in this upcoming week's ads (Feb. 27)?

Brody

Mad dawg, espn baseball 2k5 should be out today and a previous poster mentioned he had it today..the prices shouldn't change this weekend from $30 & $20 to anything cheaper

The PS2 version was pushed back. I had read about it on some boards this morning, and swung by GameStop to check. Their site is now listing the 28th, but the GameStop guy said the latest update they received had no listed date.

I'm going to have to pick it up when it hits, because after playing a few minutes of MVP, it looks like the same game with a couple of new features. I'm glad they fixed the glitches and annoyances, but I'm disappointed that there aren't a few more gameplay/graphics adjustments.

Check the DVD Bargains forum, there is a list of next weeks prices for Best Buy and Target.

Well my Gamestop had the PS2 version yesterday, so I dunno.

I just found out a really lame bug on ESPN 2k5 (I know it's not ESPN anymore but it's easier to just call it that lol)

So I was the Angels, and playing the Rangers. Soriano hits a deep fly to left, and Anderson goes back to play it, and misjudges the wind. So the ball bounces off the grass and lands in the left field seats. Ground rule double, right? Wrong. Solo homer.

I was pissed. I lost because of that, too. I even watched the replay. It clearly bounced before going over, and it was really obvious, too. The announcers were all "What a shot" or something.

Weird.

That's a horrible bug. Hope it's really rare. Are you sure that the ball didn't bounce off Jose Canseco's head or something?

IGN's review is up. As usual they're falling over themselves praising EA and mourning the loss of the series (which as we all know is just Take Two's response to the hardball game that EA started). I really need to see some MLB 2K5 reviews before I open up my game. If MVP is really a lot better, I'll return my copy of the other; but I need to hear from someone other than the baffoons who praised Madden 2005 to high heaven when it was released and then four months later picked ESPN NFL as the sports GOTY.

I rented MVP (XBOX) yesterday. I thought the game was pretty decent overall. Owner mdoe is kinda lame...unless you are a BIG SIMS fan.

Gameplay seems decent. Haven't noticed any bugs yet, but I only played about 3 games. Sometimes it seems as though the outfielders run too slow after a flyball (no run your ass off button)

The rosters are wrong also. Magglio and Delgado are STILL Free agents. I thought ESPN got this right (correct?) I went on LIVE and it said to dl new rosters, so I did....and they were STILL WRONG. Now Schilling is a free agent....weird.

I'm not passing full judgement yet. I have 2K5 on the way....it shipped yesterday I believe....so hopefully I'll have it early next week.


I may switch from ESPN to MVP, but we'll see. I've liked ESPN the past few years....

Updated Rosters for MVP online now. They're great. WHOO.

I have to say, after my initial disappointment, I'm enjoying MVP very much. While it is virtually last year's game, the improvements have worked wonders. No more hitting a liner into the gap only to see the OF make some Jesus-play to grab it. But what's in there is great. I couldn't believe it when I first saw the 1B make a stab on a grounder, and turn and flip to the pitcher as he was running to cover the bag. That is sweet. The animations overall have made it a much smoother experience. Plus, they have absolutely nailed HR "celebrations" without making them ridiculously arcadish.

I like the mini-games as well. If you are having problems with the hitting system, there is a hitting mini-game that will basically teach you to hit to all fields. Also, since the new "hitter's eye" feature can be turned on here, it can help you get used to using that in a game. The pitching mini-game is pretty good as well, teaching you to target your pitches with precision. As far as the HR Showdown, to be fair, I've never really liked it over a more traditional derby, but it's still in there. And you don't automatically lose with a left-handed hitter anymore! :banana:

A smaller detail which is a tad silly perhaps, but I liked it. The non-MLBPA players are replaced, as usual. However, their replacements already have the correct stats, leaving only the name, number, and skin color for you to have to change.

I haven't played Owner Mode yet, and Dynasty has offered no surprises (Spring Training still starts at the beginning of season 2, which I don't like). I've noticed a lot of unlockables (the Red Sox green St. Patrick's Day spring training jersey is supposedly in there :drool: ) that should add quite a bit of depth to the game, too.

I'm still going to pick up 2K5 when my GameStop gets it, so I'll play (hopefully) next week. For now, I'm having a good time with this one.

If you are near a Fry's, MVP for all systems is $24.99 through Tuesday. No sale price for 2K5 yet.

I have notice that espn MLB 2K5 is going for 19.99 also!

http://www.espnvideogames.com/shop/p...il.php?id=5402

Mad Dawg, you reminded me of one thing I hate about ESPN. Way too many miracle catches by the opposing team. Not as bad as last year, but it's still there. Most of them made by the infielders. There is a way to turn off "showboat catches" but I never even press the showboat catch button and my shortstop still makes Ozzie Smith look like an amateur.

Ordonez was a free agent in ESPN, so I had to manually assign him to the Tigers. Delgado was already with the Marlins, though. Sammy was still with the Cubs, too.

The only thing it bounced off of was the grass. No outfielder contact at all. Strangest thing I ever saw in a baseball game. My friend says this has happened before in past games (Not just ESPN, all of them) but I had never seen it until now.

Awww crap......I was hoping ESPN had it right. I mean they have pics on their site of Sammy on the Orioles. The Tigers are my team too....looks like I will have to make some adjustments.

Hopefully DL rosters come quick, just to correct the current offseason transactions. We'll see what game I like better though


ALSO, does 2K5 have a way to control the velocity of a fielders throw...ala MVP?

Yep, regular throws and bullet throws I believe.

As Third Baseman pointed out, the rosters are up for MVP. I've been through them quickly, and they seem pretty solid. All big name FAs prior to 1/12 are on their teams, Sammy's an O, and quickly glancing at the Sox, even the jersey numbers for guys like Wells and Payton have been updated. Another bright spot, since I don't want to sit here and edit every non-MLBPA guy and top 100 prospect is that you can now edit any player on any team in Dynasty mode. Now if they would allow new roster updates in the middle of Dynasty, that would be cool, but it looks like they don't.

Noticed a couple more minor bugs in ESPN 2k5. John Miller said something about how my team was 3-7 in my last 10 games. I was actually 5-3 for the season, so there was no way that was true.

Then in another game, John asked Joe Morgan how my team did last game, and he says something like

"Not so good, they're coming off a loss, hopefully they can win today to make up for it."

The problem was, I'd won my last game 7-0.

So they're like I said, minor, but still annoying.

Is there a home run derby in MLB 2k5?

Yes.

How exactly would you expect that to work? -confused- -eek- -screwy-

Well, it looks as though IGN's review of MLB 2K5 is up as well.
They clearly like MVP better, but this doesn't sount too bad, either

Closing Comments
If all you care about is online, MLB 2K5 is the way to go. It plays great and the addition of online leagues is a huge plus. However, MLB 2K5 still has a ways to go if it intends to compete with the memory of MVP next year. The animations need a complete overhaul, the AI definitely needs a reworking, and the Franchise Mode has to see significant innovation outside of a nicer interface. Stop adding mini-games and take a stand on the type of pitching and hitting interfaces you want players to use. As long as there are a half-dozen options, there's no way to tune gameplay to perfect fit each hitting style. Pick one and make a great game.

Though 2K Games and Visual Concepts don't have to sweat competition from EA next year, that doesn't mean they get a free pass. This is the only hope for a cross-platform baseball game. For that reason MLB 2K6 needs to be an awesome display. The groundwork is there, but it remains to be seen if VC has the vision and ability to make the greatest baseball game the world has ever known. We'll find out next March. Until then, MLB 2K5 is a great experience worthy of a spot on your shelf.

IGN's Ratings for MLB 2K5 (Xbox)
Rating Description
out of 10 click here for ratings guide
9.5 Presentation
Wow. Fantastic presentation that comes as close to an ESPN broadcast as I've ever seen.
8.0 Graphics
Great stadiums and nice crowds, but the animations hurt considerably.
9.0 Sound
Johnny Damon at the plate and from the crowd comes, "Cut your hair Hippie!" Brilliant.
8.5 Gameplay
It's a simple game. You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball. MLB 2K5 does all of this just fine, but isn't as polished as it could be.
8.0 Lasting Appeal
The Franchise Mode seems a bit old, but the online play is great. All of the gimmicky stuff like bonus modes make me want to play less, not more.
8.5 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)