PlayStation 2
Released in 2007 by 2K Sports
Grade: C+
MLB Power Pros may be technically solid, but its cartoon pizazz becomes an unwanted distraction.
Where it falls in the series
This is the first of two installments available on PS2 and Wii. A mobile phone version followed in 2010.
Praises and gripes
The appeal of this game seems to be its extremely bright and noisy presentation. And when I say “bright,” I mean literally bright, where every color is as rich as can be, with fluorescent menus and on-screen displays that can burn a hole in your eyes. The big-headed, limb-less player models are cute and animated nicely. The overly caffeinated announcer sounds like he’s having THE TIME OF HIS LIFE yelling out pitch-by-pitch descriptions of the action.
You might think this style would pair well with simplistic arcade gameplay, but instead this game uses a realistic pitching interface and fine-tuned batting mechanics, resulting in no-nonsense, tactical at-bats. Luckily, the pace is quick, the visual flair doesn’t get in the way of keeping your eye on the ball, and you’ll hear a satisfying “THWACK” when you make solid contact. There’s also a huge set of options to customize the experience to your skills.
Out in the field, the action feels less modern and more retro, with those stocky little guys trudging along the grass. The controls are somewhat forgiving, but you’re bound to suffer through some fielding missteps and baserunning confusion. Umpires can be easily mistaken for players, and there are unnecessary colorful arrows floating around. The longer I played, the more this stuff became downright agitating.
Altogether, this game is effective at combining retro charm with modern sophistication. But you’d have to just love its cartoon style to want to hunker down and play inning after inning. Its gameplay flaws, however minor, place it solidly below the other baseball games of its time.
Published September 3, 2023