When it comes to baseball games, I was (and somewhere deep in my heart I still am) a huge fan of the MVP Baseball series and since the franchise went out, I never touched a baseball game since MLB The Show 07. So when I first heard of MLB Power Pros last year, a big “huh?” came up and didn’t really pay too much attention to it. Couple of months later, I came to realization that the game was very interesting and offered almost everything any other baseball game could’ve offered. During that time, I found out that the series was best known as Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū in Japan, that it has been imported from Asia to North America last year on consoles after many successful Japanese versions of the game since 1994.
Basically, after learning all this, I was willing to give the franchise a more-than-serious look. Here’s our review for MLB Power Pros 2008 for the Nintendo DS.
As a MLB Power Pros first-timer, I couldn’t be more surprised even if, after seeing what the PS2 and Wii versions offered, the most beloved mode of the series (Success Mode) and a Season mode didn’t make it to the handheld version. Still, MLB Power Pros 2008 for the DS has a lot to offer: single player, multiplayer through DS download play, playoffs mode, a practice area, a team edit mode, custom team creation, a home run derby mode and as the name implies, all the MLB teams and rosters (running gag: no Wilton Guerrero in the game). Sure, the game offers a lot but then…I learned from a buddy of mine that in Japan, you could play Power Pros over the internet through the Wi-Fi service while here you can’t. Is this a huge bummer? Not that much but knowing that the game is at its 10th episode in Japan already on portable consoles and that online play has been introduced since Power Pros 8, I do believe that Power Pros 2009 should feature it as well.
Once again, we do understand that this is the first game of the series in North America and that some features had to be left out in order to see if the game could be a potential hit here as well. I mean, there are millions of Power Pros players in Japan…here, not much for the moment. Can they offer more than what we have now? Yes they can and they will have to now because North American fans will ask for it. I know I will.
In terms of controls, they’re easy but will sure ask you for some learning if you have never played a baseball game on the DS. And if you have played baseball games on the DS, the accessible and simple control scheme won’t be new to you.
Graphics and Sounds
You won’t be surprised by anything in this department. The graphics are what they are: DS quality. Then again, I came across a screenshot of the Japanese version and came to the conclusion that I totally dig the 2D approach of the game instead of a sub-par 3D rendering. It still looks okay, it’s not ugly at all but if Power Pros 2009 features these graphics once more, I will be very disappointed. We do know what the DS is capable of doing although we’re all aware of the graphical limitations of the handheld. The game could’ve looked easily a bit better but even more if they go with the Japanese 2D look for Power Pros 2009. The game won’t be crap because it’s in 2D…people should understand that once and for all.
Which one looks better?
Certainly the area where MLB Power Pros 2008 is the less successful is in the sound department. While the game does feature commentary and some music, the sounds in the game aren’t great especially the commentary, which is terrible to the max. Value
The beauty about 95% of the DS games is that they are not expensive. MLB Power Pros 2008 isn’t an exception and goes for $30, which is not bad if you start counting what the game offers, even if it lacks some stuff from the console versions and its Japanese counterpart. If you’ve grown fond of the series and wanted to play it when you were away from home, this is definitely an interesting addition to your DS collection.
Conclusion
Of course, if you played the game on either the PS2 or Wii, you won’t find all the components but in the end, MLB Power Pros 2008 for the Nintendo DS is a very interesting experience. Even if it features a kiddie-no limbs-bobblehead look, don’t be fooled. The game features an interesting amount of game modes and options that ill give you enough bangs to your buck. Personally, it’s been a while since a DS game has caught that much my attention, especially a sport game since I never play them on my DS handheld. Now, if the developers bring “the real deal” next year, it will definitely be the sport game to look on the DS. Verdict: A buy even if you already play on the Wii or PS2. A $30 well spent.
Good and intuitive controls
Lots of modes to choose from
Nice graphic quality
MLB teams and rosters
30$ price tag
Cons
Success Mode and Season modes are nowhere to be found
No online play offered in the North American version
2D Japanese look for Power Pros 09?
Commentary is bad
Here's a small guide to help you understand our evaluation of games.
PRESENTATION GRADE
Can be from the game's box to the contents of the booklet, and even the game introduction. (Intro, menus, options, etc)
GRAPHIC GRADE
Up to what point the graphics have been worked on my the developper. The design type, the effort used for textures and environments, as well as animations and framerate.
AUDIO GRADE
Is the soundtrack a good match to the game's style, he ambient sounds keeping with the gameplay and the sound effects clear and convincing?
GAMEPLAY GRADE
Placement of the controls and the inferface that the player with be using during the game.
REPLAY VALUE GRADE
The most important factor in the evaluation of a game. It identifies the lifespan of the game and the fun of coming back again and again.
I’ve always been an advocate for cheap and easy...Er...when it comes to gaming, that is. Unfortunately, it’s because of this that I’ve missed out on some of the bigger titles over the past few years. (CoD4, anyone?). Buying used games, ordering online from sites like Amazon or Ebay, is a simple way to avoid high pricing, (at least until you factor in...
I’ve always been an advocate for cheap and easy...Er...when it comes to gaming, that is. Unfortunately, it’s because of this that I’ve missed out on some of the bigger titles over the past few years. (CoD4, anyone?). Buying used games, ordering online from sites like Amazon or Ebay, is a simple way to avoid high pricing, (at least until you factor in... 
HellMagus666
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