MVP Baseball 2004

It almost is.

The pitching control is outstanding. The batting control is much improved. You can also control so many more facets of the game, including how and where your runners slide (to avoid the tag). You can even "railroad" the catcher.

I was one of those that were suprised that my controller (MS Sidewinder Gamepad) did not work with this game! I went out and purchased a new Logitech Dual Action Gamepad. Although there was nothing wrong with my old gamepad, I really do like this new one, and its NEEDED to fully enjoy this game (you need both analog sticks to control runners and special fielding plays).

The MVP Points system gives you something to strive for. You can unlock old-time players, stadiums, uniforms, etc.

However, the game does have some MAJOR flaws.

Playing Online: Online play is riddled with bugs. Including one that restarts your game anytime you steal a base! EA should have never shipped with this kind of bug. I'm sure there will be a patch eventually - if you can wait.

Controllers: You must own one of the following controllers
Logitech Dual Action Gamepad
Wingman Cordless Rumblepad
Wingman Rumblepad
Gravis Eliminator Aftershock
Saikek P880 controller

Playing with the keyboard is useless. I have read that you can hack your Windows registry to make your older controller work, but I'm sure you will be missing some functionality. EA should have included support for older controllers and simplified the controls for them.

Game modes: There is a "Dynasty Mode" where you build your team and progress through the years. Creating players in the minors and progressing them is useless. They will never be better than an avg. player.

It would have been nice if EA included a Single Season mode, or even a Playoff-tree mode (a la their NHL games).

When and if EA releases a patch - the game should be improved, and I would add another star.

Found yet another BUG: If you minimize the program, and then try to go back into the game, it will crash and leave you back at the desktop. I suggest you kill all other apps running (especially IMs) when playing.


From a novice   April 23, 2004
David G. Smith (Fairfax, CA United States)
21 out of 25 found this review helpful

OK, so my favorite review has been the one that said that this game is bad and not realistic and if I want a real game I should go to a ball park....

hmm.

These things on your screen, they aren't real. And since I know nothing about computer games, and patches are things I use for my jeans, I am not sure what any of the arguments are. I am not good enough to play online with all you patch knowing megabyte wonders, so I"ll just create my own little world where I have fun.

If you like baseball, and you want to get into the idea of managing, this is very fun. I think it is more difficult than the last version, which I used to win all the time. I find if my pitchers blow a pitch, they usually pay for it in this version. I feel like sometimes the decisions actually matter, and I need to really think about my choices. In this dynasty mode thing, I have discovered that I would be a crappy manager.
I either give the whiners what they want, or I release them. There is no psychology implied.

Like I say, I am not an expert, but this is fun. What do you expect at want from a computer game. And yes, go see a game live...it's fun too


How can it be better?   February 29, 2004
16 out of 29 found this review helpful

I have had MVP Baseball 2003 for about ten months. I play it ALL THE TIME. I AM OBSESSED! You are darn straight I will buy this game as soon as it comes out! And you should too!

MVP Baseball 2003 is so great, I wonder how EA Sports will make a better game. Well, there are probably too many new features to mention in one review.

Oh well. I'll try:

The highly anticipated new "Pure Swing System"

Big Play Control

New Dynasty Mode

Manager Mode

Minor Leagues: AA and AAA

Cooperstown Players

3D Crowds

New Crowd Chants

New Pitch Types

New "Pitcher Showdown"

Over 125+ Signiture batting/pitching stances/motions

No Barry Bonds

Little Details that make a Baseball Game good like:

Passed Balls
Dropped Third Strikes
Behind the Plate Pop ups
Umpire appeals on Check Swings
Pitcher Warmups
Cutscenes

THIS GAME IS A MUST HAVE


dont give up   March 15, 2004
weasel (Minneapolis, MN)
11 out of 15 found this review helpful

the controller issue can be fixed if you change the name of your controller in the registry. start menu, run, type "regedit", go to find, enter your controller name exactly (name of your current controller as defined by the controllers menu on control panel). double click on the highlighted line and replace the title to the accepted controller. keep hitting "find next" until you have replaced all of the titles of your controller with one of the 5 available in the game. i use a sidewinder, but with the profile name Logitech Dual Action Gamepad. good luck, this game is awesome, it shouldn't be limited by controller issues.


Minor flaws;Major (league) gameplay & graphics   April 17, 2004
Kent Stallard (Gilbert, AZ USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

These game reviewers are a tough bunch. Yes, the controller issue was a serious faux pas on the part of EA. I, too, had to go buy a new controller just to play this game. (It was WELL worth it) And, as one individual pointed out, you can't set the prices for your concession stands in the "Dynasty" mode(what were they thinking!) ;-) (Note: I can't speak for the online problems mentioned, because I have not yet attempted to play online)

Still, this is an awesome game. The level of realism achieved is not only better than any other baseball simulation to date--it's better than most sports simulations in any genre. The detail in the graphics, the movements of the players, the rendering of the stadiums, and the overall gameplay are all top notch.

There are significant improvements over EA's previous (and very good) simulation MVP Baseball 2003. For example, there are a lot more very close plays at first base on grounders in the infield. You must now warm up relief pitchers before they enter the game, otherwise their effectiveness will be greatly diminished. There are various types of slides, including hook slides and slides intended to take out the defender at 2nd base on a double-play; the catcher is more involved defensively in the gameplay; etc., etc.

One aspect of the game that was not improved in this version, IMO, is the commentating. Kuiper and Krukow no longer discuss each team's results in the previous season, or elaborate on the individual players. Their commentary is pretty much limited to describing the action on the field (I suppose some might prefer that), and there is a lot of the dialogue that is borrowed from MVP 2003. Still, it's a relatively minor issue, as are--IMHO--all of the complaints lodged here about this game (with the exception of the controller compatibility and--if true--the online bug).

EA has done a great job overall with this game. Traditionally, baseball simulations for gaming consoles and the PC have been very disappointing, which is surprising since the sport is well-suited for a videogame format. MVP 2003 was a huge step in the right direction. MVP 2004 takes baseball simulation to yet another level of realism. An excellent game despite some relatively minor flaws. Don't let the controller issue and all of the negative reviews here discourage you from trying this out.