Major League Baseball 2K9
MLB-licensed baseball sim with mixed-to-positive reviews.
Visual Concepts developed MLB 2K9, a baseball simulation game with an official MLB license. 2K published the title across Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and Wii. Released on March 3, 2009, it earned a mixed-to-positive reception.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Visual Concepts; Wii: 2K China
- Publisher
- 2K
- Series
- MLB 2K
- Platforms
- Windows
- Xbox 360
- PlayStation 2
- PlayStation 3
- PlayStation Portable
- Wii
- Released
- March 3, 2009 (NA); July 7, 2009 (JP)
- Genre
- Sports
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Development
MLB 2K9 was the third and final game in a planned three-year development cycle for 2K's baseball series on next-generation consoles, according to lead developer Ben Brinkman. He discussed this plan in a 1UP.com log and a January 2008 podcast with Official Xbox Magazine, stating the game would be the most polished version of the series. Brinkman left the franchise after MLB 2K8, with Visual Concepts taking over. A day-one patch on March 3, 2009, fixed franchise mode and connectivity issues. A second patch followed on April 1, 2009, for PS3, and April 3, 2009, for PC and Xbox 360, addressing AI batting aggression and home run frequency in online modes and certain difficulty levels.
Reception
High expectations for MLB 2K9 resulted in disappointment, as it received worse average reviews than its predecessor 2K8. GameSpot complained that the game shipped in a half-finished state or the developers had never seen a baseball, citing bizarre gameplay and bugs. 1UP.com called it a game that tries to prove the series is progressing but ignores fixing long-standing issues: poor defense, sloppy animations, and catering to the home run. IGN stated it fixes some issues and sets groundwork for a great game, but has too many bugs to recommend. TeamXbox noted great improvements to core mechanics but bugs that drive players insane. Official Xbox Magazine said its laundry list of annoying problems is too substantial. GamesRadar called it a paradox, fun and accessible but suffering from too many gaffes. Operation Sports noted most games play out like a high-pitch summer softball league. GameSpy stated casual fans would be attracted, while hardcore simmers would be turned off. IGN's review of the Wii version criticized too-precise pitching making strikeouts too easy, a laughable franchise mode with $40 million salaries for players like Danys Báez, and no online play despite promises.
DS spin-off
A more "baseball-lite" version called Major League Baseball 2K9 Fantasy All-Stars was released for the Nintendo DS, featuring fantasy elements such as power-ups and fantasy stadiums. It retains similar gameplay to its predecessor. IGN gave it a 6.2 out of 10, deeming it a significant step up from its predecessor and citing improvements to pitching and touch controls as positives, while criticizing the stadium gimmicks, pacing, and lack of an in-depth season or franchise mode.
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