MLB 08: The Show

by John Q Freejazz on Mar 5, 2008 10:54 AM CST Comment 38 comments

I received MLB 08: The Show yesterday and had a chance to play a few games, one exhibition and two rivalry games. Here are my initial thoughts.

The look of the game and gameplay itself is overall very similar to MLB 07.

There are slight changes with a few specific players' stances (for example, David Ortiz' batting stance is significantly different), there are some new behaviors (for instance, after a batter strikes out), and a few new views.

Also, FWIW, when the catcher drops a third strike, there's a new pause while the batter looks to see if the ball was dropped before taking off to first.

One new feature is the "rob home run" defensive maneuver, whereby one can theoretically press a button at the correct time to jump and rob the opposing team of a dinger. I did not have occasion to try this out yet.

Pitching seemed occasionally a bit more difficult, especially with Zambrano, as 4SFBs tended to be harder to control. On the other hand, I found it very difficult to hit off of Josh Beckett. Ted Lilly pitched well for me, as did Marmol and Wood.

One serious issue that I encountered occurred after the second rivalry series game, when the game froze on the final menu. Neither controller worked, and so I had to turn off the game without saving. As the rivalry had been split 1-1, we'll need to start a new rivalry series. Pretty serious bug, especially if it happens with any regularity.

In terms of the Cubs roster, the default starting nine is, I believe:

Soriano LF
Pie CF
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
DeRosa RF
Soto C
Theriot SS
Fontenot 2B
P

Murton is on the bench -- I switched him to RF and put DeRosa at 2B.

Apparently Fukudome needs to play one MLB regular season game before he can be in the game, which was a big surprise to me considering that they show him in the preview videos. Apparently this will be updated shortly after the start of the season.

Overall, I was underwhelmed a bit. Most of the changes in exhibition and rivalry mode, which are the only modes I use regularly, are fairly trivial.

I imagine with teams such as the Tigers, which experienced significant roster changes over the off-season, this game is a little more exciting than last year's.

I still have more exploring to do, but frankly I was hoping for a little more from MLB 08.

Has anyone else tried it out yet? Thoughts?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Yep

Yep, got it yesterday instead of 2k8. I had 2k7 last year, but I listened to the suggestions of those from here and went with the Show and I'm thrilled.

I started a Road to the Show and it's been a lot of fun. I'll probably do that until the season begins and then get a roster update and play a franchise.

All in all, this is worlds beyond 2k7 in everything except probably graphics.

Check out Road To Wrigley, my NEW Cubs Minor League System website: Road To Wrigley

by jonpyardi on Mar 5, 2008 10:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nice

I haven't played 2K7 (or 2K8) so can only compare with MLB 07. I hear several improvements in MLB 08 over 07 were in the Road to the Show part, which I haven't explored much yet.

by John Q Freejazz on Mar 5, 2008 11:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wish for Wii

I wish this was available for Wii. MLB games for that system suck in my opinion.

I just play MVP 2005 season's mode and create players to correspond with recent Cubs.

by ak123 on Mar 5, 2008 11:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

MLB 2K8

Just got it but haven't opened it for Wii. Should I bother opening it or take it back?

by Fuk-U-Meter on Mar 5, 2008 12:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ign.com

Go there and check out the review for it. I've heard it's not that good (on PS3) but haven't heard about Wii.

"Oh well, there's always next year!!!" Every Cub fan

by McRipper on Mar 5, 2008 12:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

I had no idea they had it for Wii. I'm going to pick it up tonight!

by ak123 on Mar 5, 2008 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

MLB Power Pros for the Wii

is fun with the kids. It's also fun for me as well. Not in the same category as The Show or 2K8 though.

I have no response to that.

by stelmodad on Mar 5, 2008 4:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What systems...

do yall have it for? PS3? PS2? I don't have a PS3, so I'd have to get it for PS2, which is obviously gonna be inferior to the PS3 version.

by tjlncsu on Mar 5, 2008 11:07 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

PS2

Good question: I should have mentioned that mine is for PS2. I'd be curious to see how the game differs across platforms.

by John Q Freejazz on Mar 5, 2008 11:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Fukudome is in there

In the roster section the game gives you the ability to sign free agents so you can go an get Fukudome and Lieber.

Fukudome has good speed, a great contact rating and an absolute gun for an arm in the PS2 version.

by Holy Cow on Mar 5, 2008 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Fukudome?

How'd you get Fukudome already? I downloaded the most recent rosters and it put Lieber on the team but no sign of Fukudome anywhere? Where'd you find him at?

by delorean80 on Mar 5, 2008 11:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I have PS3 and couldn't find him...

Although I was way to excited about the game so I did create him...

Tried to make it accurate and he is VERY good.

by dus22 on Mar 5, 2008 5:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I'll have to check that out.

Also, I neglected to mention that Soriano and Pie also have guns.

by John Q Freejazz on Mar 5, 2008 11:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

MLB 07

Is there a recent update for the 07 version (PS3)that includes Fukudome and Pie? I'm still playing with a "created" Fukudome and Pie in that one. And by the way... on my roster Roberts has been the 2nd baseman since December ;)

"The one that invent the light tried 2,000 times and finally he did it, we have light...I don't want to spend 2,000 times to win Opening Day" Carlos Zambrano

by CubsBullsBears on Mar 5, 2008 11:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

anyone played both 2k and The Show?

i am a bittered 360 owner who wishes he could play the show, anyone out there played both games and could give a comparison?

im thinking of turning off the new controls on 2k8 and going back to the standard push button for hitting, and meter for pitching.
the card collecting thing at least seems cool for 2k8. after looking at the show, 2k definitely is not as "fluid" when the camera shows the gameplay on a ball hit in the field.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 5, 2008 11:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

First home run goes to....

For me it was DeRo. I'm gonna be honest, I didn't expect it to be him. What about you guys? Also, D.Lee hit for the cycle in my home opener, first time I was able to do that on ANY baseball video game (hopefully that comes true March 31).

By the way, the game play is VERY similar to MLB07, but that's okay because I loved that game, and so far love 08.

by JFG72 on Mar 5, 2008 12:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

First home run...

For me it was Aramis. Went 3-4.

Soto has also been doing well. He's much slimmer than in MLB07.

by John Q Freejazz on Mar 5, 2008 12:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My first homer

was A-Ram, opposite field. Then later in the same game, Sori went deep dead center. I've noticed you don't have to use power swing(square) to hit homers, it helps, but you can hit them out using normal swing(X). You can't check swing either when using power.

"Oh well, there's always next year!!!" Every Cub fan

by McRipper on Mar 5, 2008 12:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

All in all

this game is awesome. I've been playing 2k for about 3 years because I had a 360 but bought a PS3 so I could get the Show and I'm not disappointed. The Road is the coolest thing i've ever seen on a baseball game. The graphics are sick, the gameplay is great. I was a little irritated early on because i couldn't hit but when i look and saw that I was swinging at everything, it made sense. Once i started swinging at good pitches, i was hitting alot better. The most realistic Baseball game i've ever played. A++

"Oh well, there's always next year!!!" Every Cub fan

by McRipper on Mar 5, 2008 12:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Got it for PS2

I got it for the PS2 last night, and me and my buddy who often played MLB07 played it for about 4 hours or so. Things we noticed:

Hitting seems to be harder and its often hard to get low pitches into the air.
If you guess location, it doesn't show you exactly where the ball is going to be, but only that it will be in the area you guessed.
Fielding seems a bit smoother, but there are a lot more errant throws on the infield (in the dirt, high throws.)
The mound comes into play quite a bit. If a ball hits the mound on the side, it will often take a favorable bounce for the SS/2B.
It's much easier to turn on inside pitches.
Joba Chamberlain is really hard to hit. I consider myself a pretty good Show player, and my buddy was carving me up with him. He was throwing 96-99mph four seamers and two seamers, with a nasty hook to compliment them.

All in all, I thought the game play improved. I always thought it was way too easy to hit in the 2007 version. It's harder now, but definitely not an impossible task. I'll probably check out the improvements to the Road to the Show mode tonight if I get a chance.

by rambler19 on Mar 5, 2008 12:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

tip that help hit the ball harder

for pretty advanced players. just guess the pitch type not both location and pitch.

by tbizzle83 on Mar 5, 2008 12:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

That's what I do, that way you can sit on your pitch and if it's in the zone, swing.

"Oh well, there's always next year!!!" Every Cub fan

by McRipper on Mar 5, 2008 12:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yep

I also do this. My friend likes to guess location though. I found that even if I guess both location and pitch, I don't hit the ball as well as if I just determine location when the ball is coming in.

by rambler19 on Mar 5, 2008 1:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good tip

My friends and I actually quite early on decided to turn off the guess pitch feature, since I was routinely guessing everything correctly and crushing the ball. :-)

by John Q Freejazz on Mar 5, 2008 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Same here

We turned off guess pitch as well. It is harder to hit but it really makes you a better player and its a lot more fun.

I can't believe I'm batting 9th again -Ted Lily

by NIUcubbie on Mar 5, 2008 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Another thing I like about 08...

is the fact that when you're pitching and you're hitting a particular pitch in the strike zone, your ability to consistently control that pitch increases. Same goes for the opposite, that when you're missing the zone of a particular pitch your control decreases. I don't know if it was that way in previous years, but it's the first time I noticed it. I pay more attention to the pitch meters now. Much more realistic!! Love it!!

by JFG72 on Mar 5, 2008 1:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

ill just play my college ball

MVP baseball 07 was sweet. if I really need a pro fix ill go back to 05 but I have a hard time switching back to the old controls

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Mar 5, 2008 1:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I loved the college games...

But they are just very very inaccurate. I did really like the game play but the rosters are just totally fake.

I guess this may not matter to many people because they probably don't know much college baseball. But when you are one of the few that love college baseball it is kinda wierd. Imagine playing MLB with a bunch of made up people...

by dus22 on Mar 5, 2008 5:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I got mlb 2k8 for 360

takes a little while to get used to all the new things. But Im really starting to like it. The only real big problem is that it is laggy a little bit, but That is most likely going to be fixed in the patch

by Kchance on Mar 5, 2008 2:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thats what I'll be getting tonight.

I just need to go cash my checks first, thenImma head over to best buy.

1st Official Al-Wanna-Be! Feel free to become an Oficial Al-Wanna-Be Today!

by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 5, 2008 3:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ive

heard nothing but bad things about 2k8...ill pass

by tbizzle83 on Mar 6, 2008 5:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing for PC

I use my laptop as my gaming system also. It works well with all games but MLB has NO GAMES for the PC platform. This really stinks. The only baseball action I can get is the Simulation game, and while I love sims, I really want to play. Anyone know why or when they will make them for pcs also?

"Keep the sun out of your eyes and be yourself"

by cubbietenor on Mar 5, 2008 4:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

2k8 for the Wii

if anyone ventures into getting this for the Wii, please be sure to post a review on here. I saw it yesterday when I went to go pick up the Show, and it caused me about a minute's worth of pause. However, my experience with The Bigs discouraged me from taking a flyer.

Let us know how it is if anyone goes with it!

by VolPowers on Mar 5, 2008 5:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

2k8 for wii QUICK REVIEW

I just started playing 2k8 for Wii. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

Franchise mode. It seemed like an upgrade over the options I had in in MVP '05. They don't have an in depth A, AA and AAA league but that was more of a hindrance for me.

Players: They have a full roster. Even Fukudome is kind of represented there (random Japanese name for a RF'er). They have a good amount of players who may or may not make the team ranging from Marshall, Hart, Mateo, Guzman (I know injured), Gallagher. Fontenot, Cedeno, Fuld, E. Patterson are some of the Cubs players that are on the team I didn't expect to see.

Tutorials: There are in depth tutorials for how to hit/bat using the remote.

Cons:
Controls: I found controls frustrating for options menu and hitting. You use the remote for everything. I thought the pitching was fun but you have to be precise and a 9 inning game can feel like really nine innings. Batting wasn't bad with the exception that my shoulder is sore, something that is not normal for Wii and me.

Control Options: I have not found an option for changing the control of how to play. I was hoping there would be a way I wouldn't have to swing the remote (just press A) when I'm batting. I haven't found such option yet.

I'm sure I'll find more cons/pros as I play but I just did the game for a good hour.

Considering Power Pros and the Arcadish MLB game (I can't think of the name) are our only other options this one is a good choice. It feels very complete to me and that's important to me.

What does everyone else think?

by ak123 on Mar 5, 2008 8:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

How many of you...

used the Cubs for The Show and traded for a certain infielder from Baltimore? I didn't, but I'm just curious.

by JFG72 on Mar 6, 2008 12:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I almost did

but decided to wait until the season starts to do my franchise. I'm doing the Road right now and it's awesome but you can't do trades and stuff in the Road, you only play, you can't manage.

"Oh well, there's always next year!!!" Every Cub fan

by McRipper on Mar 6, 2008 1:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Realism

Just finished a game against the White Sox and was stunned at the realism - Zambrano was strong early, gave up a couple of hits midgame, and it cut to him walking around the mound looking agitated. Suddenly he completely lost his control and - boom - Swisher hit a three run home run. I'm not making that up.

Very impressed, despite losing the game.

¡BLANCO!

by 08Cubs on Mar 6, 2008 11:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs