MLB 08: The Show for PSP Review

I recently received a copy of MLB 08: The Show, the latest version of the long running officially licensed MLB video game. Since I only have a PSP I was unable to check out the PS3 version of the game, although I have seen it played on some of my friends systems. However, MLB the show is exclusive to Playstation systems and is known to be the best selling baseball game so I thought I would take advantage my good ol’ PSP and give this years model a try.

The PSP version of the game has improved by leaps and bounds from last years model of MLB the show. Just the look of the menu screens is sharper and cleaner then ever before, and the game play is improved as well. The game holds one of the most accurate depictions of Petco Park that I have ever seen on a video game. The details of the stadium are spot on which makes for a fun and realistic gaming experience. The speed and action of the game feels more real now as well. After playing MLB2k8 on the wii, the gameplay of MLB 08 The Show seemed so much faster and sharper which made it more realistic. Pitching with Peavy was ridiculously fun because his stuff is nasty in the game. I took a no hitter deep into the game and was actually enjoying choosing each pitch when usually I do not have the patience and am ALWAYS waiting to bat. One thing that I love is when you are throwing a slider you can see the direction the ball is going to go so you can plan to throw your pitches more strategically to hit the corner of the strike zone.

While the pitches thrown by Peavy were blowing by the opposition, when it was my turn to bat I had no trouble at all making contact and smacking solid gappers. You still have the option this year to guess the pitch in order to make better contact, and you have a good chance to read the pitch while it is on its way, even though it comes in fast. The Padres lineup was updated well and Iguchi had a solid game in the first game I played. Switching pitchers and making in game changes has become much simpler in this years model and everything runs and plays real smooth. I LOVE having Matty V. as the announcer and he had some great funny comments thrown in to make the commentary seem real. Unfortunately I am not a big Rex Hudler fan but to hear Matty sure is fun and makes up for Rex being on the game. The one thing I noticed missing was that there are still no umpires shown in the game, which is just a small minor technical glitch that does not affect the game play at all.

They have a new and improved Career mode as well as season modes and online play. I got hooked once again into playing the fun King of Show (not sure thats the correct name) mini game, which is basically a speedy version of a simulated game with lots of bonus targets and fun bonuses to make it even more enjoyable. I also have played Home Run Derby a lot which I enjoy because I love playing at the different parks and getting to see how realistically they are portrayed while being able to smack balls all over the place. Overall the game is great and it keeps getting better every year. I have started my season and I know I will be spending lots of time this summer logging games and getting deep into career mode.

The great part about the PSP version is I really can bring it anywhere and play whenever I want wherever I want, so it is great to have a handheld version of this game that seems more like it is a PS2 game. I wish I could review the PS3 version but I have only seen it for a few minutes. The graphics on the PS3 version are so amazing real and ridiculously sharp it is amazing. Hopefully in the future I will have a chance to play that more and see how that stacks up and compares to the version I have on my PSP. I dont have MLB2k8 for PSP so I cannot directly compare the two, but I do know that MLB08 The Show has raised the bar and set the standard for baseball games on the PSP.