MLB 10: The Show
As pitchers and catchers report for spring training, gamers can rejoice as baseball is back on your favorite consoles for the 2010 season. The latest from Sony's baseball franchise, MLB 10: The Show continues to deliver as the undisputed king of the diamond.
2009 AL MVP Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins graces the cover of the box art in this edition. While, MLB 10: The Show has new updates, features, and customizations from the last seasons game, the core of the game remains the same. Pitching and hitting mechanics are the same from its predecessor.
Once you understand how pitches react to location you should be able to throw strikes with ease. That's of course if the umpire calls them as strikes. Each umpire has their own definition of strike zone, adding to the complexity. As you play a game, whether online or in a simple exhibition game, you get the real sense that you are watching an actual MLB baseball game.
The graphics are so smooth and pristine, you can see uniforms move in motion. Every major league ballpark is brought to life with painstaking detail. If you are so inclined, gamers can also select from classic ballparks such as Forbes Field, Crosley Field, Polo Grounds, Shibe Park, Sportsman Park, Old Yankee Stadium, and Griffith Stadium.
Matt Vasgersian from MLB Network, Dave Campbell, and Rex Hudler continue to deliver the familiar commentary as they have from past games. New physics have been added to MLB 10: The Show which allows you to make home run robbing catches on the outfield wall, which is harder than it sounds.
Several customizations have been added such as the ability to replace walk-up batter music with your own tracks is available. Another neat feature is once you make a substitution from the bullpen, pitchers now have the option of taking warm-up throws from the mound.
Road to the Show is back and stronger than ever. As in past iterations of The Show, you create a player who starts off in the minors working his way to the major leagues.
New to MLB 10: The Show is Catcher Mode. In Catcher Mode your given the task of playing the game as the catcher, calling pitch selection sequence, pitch location, throwing out runners stealing bases, and block pitches that hit the dirt.
Online season modes offers all the traditional bells and whistles from a standard MLB season including a full 40 man roster, salary arbitration, and the ability to view past box scores. Nice additions such as The MLB All-Star Futures Games, is also available within season modes and it occurs before the major league All Star game just like during a real MLB season.
An updated live roster will be available every week throughout the entire season. Included in the update will be all roster changes, addition of new MLB players, and player attribute updates to reflect hot and cold streaks.
The presentation is too incredible to describe. You get the real sensation of being at the ballpark, whether it's the pitchers duals, realistic defensive stops or the roaring crowd, The Show is Hall of Fame material.
For more information about the game, visit the official game MLB 10: The Show site. Now go out and turn a 6-4-3 double play.
"MLB 10: The Show" is rated "E" for Everyone (content suitable for ages 6 or older) and is available exclusively on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and PSP game consoles.