MLB Power Pros - a PS2 Game Review

MLB Power Pros is a fun game! Though it seems like it wouldn't be very interesting, considering most baseball games compete on the field of graphics. MLB Power Pros is a Nintendo-Esque game. The players are made of about 8 different shapes: an oval head, a cylindrical body, 2 circle hands, 2 cylindrical arms, and 2 convex feet. Notice: No Legs! The developers of MLB Power Pros decided that legs didn't really need to be there! I love the way the developers designed this game!

So, the graphics are awesome, but what about the gameplay? I like the way the hitting is done. You actually have to aim the bat, which makes the game more difficult (you can't hit home runs every time anymore). I also like the fact that the game is so simple and fast paced. A pitch is selected by pressing a directional button. I like this, because it is simple, and it is harder for someone across the room to see what you are pitching when you are playing multiplayer.

Now let's move on the the story mode for this game. You create a player, start out in college, and atempt to move your way up into the majors after 3 years of playing baseball for a losing team. The thing about this mode that sort of annoys me is that you spend more time talking to your friends like Marvin then you do actually playing baseball. This is why I choose to play Season Mode instead of Story Mode. I don't like watching dialogue roll across the screen. I would rather get out there and hit some balls.

Finally, let's move on the the final and most important aspect of the game. These are the features and minigames. There is a hitting minigame, a fielding minigame, and a pitching minigames. In the hitting minigames, you either have to hit longballs (homerun derby) or just get hits (contact challenge). It is more difficult then you would think. You have to aim the bat, swing at the right time, and make good enough contact to get the ball out of the infield. Then there is a fielding minigame. This one is self explanitory. You run around the outfield trying to catch fly balls. Simple enough? You would think. You will find the player you choose running from the left field foul line to the right field foul line. To make these long runs, making a beeline is extremely important. If you don't you'll find yourself missing by up to 5 whole seconds! Next is the pitching minigame. This one is the easiest of the 3. All you have to do is hit spots with certain pitches. This is simple with fastballs and changeups, but when you throw in curves and sliders, it becomes a lot more difficult. Tip: Don't pick Wakefield. The Knuckleball is the worst! It is almost impossible to hit the spots.

So to sum up: This game is great. I would give it an 8 out of 10. This game is rated E for Everyone.