Major League Baseball 2K6

"A Sacrifice Bunt."

MLB 2K6 marks the first time a 2K Baseball game has been on a Nintendo system and also the return to the 2K Sports (Sega Sports) games to the GameCube (the last being in late 2002). This game has it's ups and downs but is overall a very solid baseball game.

Game Play: Where this game shines is its game play. If you have any experience with MVP Baseball or any other baseball game, throw it out the window and focus on this game. For hitting there are two different types; classic and the new swing stick. I recommend using the swing stick because it really makes going up to bat enjoyable. To hit a ball you pull back on the C Stick (Yellow) to take your step and then what you do from there further influences your swing. For a simple contact swing, simply return the C Stick to its neutral position (so let go of the stick). You can push or pull the ball depending if you go left or right with the stick (center left and center right). For a fly ball you just push the C Stick forward to top-left, top-center, or top-right positions on the C Stick. To bunt simple push the C Stick forward (no pull back) and then press L or R to influence the bunt.

My favorite part of the game is the pitching, it's welcoming to those who know the game of baseball and those who don't. Depending on the pitcher there will be a certain number of pitches for you to choose from. Before a pitch, if you hold down R and move the Control Stick around you can see pitch effectiveness and the percentage of use. Holding R down and not moving the stick allows you to see how the pitch breaks which is helpful. When throwing a pitch you hold down the pitch button (A,B,X,Y,Z) to determine effectiveness (a circle will begin to expand)(how big of a break or how fast) and then when the circle is on it's way down you execute your command. It's very intuitive and much better in my opinion then the excellent pitch system in MVP Baseball 2005. There's a stamina system here and even when you get to 0% Stamina you can continue pitching, however, you won't be as effective and you can't perform pickoffs.

The other areas of the game, fielding, baserunning etc... Can be a bit different then other games. There a real life physics so when running towards a fly ball you can't just run around like a maniac and turn which ever way you please. The player actually turns instead of just spinning around like Sonic and then has to build momentum in running. When base running you only control one runner at a time and then mash their respective button to give them a necessary speed boost. Pressing L or R will have that runner continue running until they get to a certain base. Say the runner is on first and starts running, before he gets to second I can press L and he will continue to third without losing momentum. You can also do pitchouts, intentional walks etc...

Graphics and Presentation: MLB 2K6 doesn't look as good as MVP Baseball 2005 in any way. Most players don't look like themselves, even cover boy Derek Jeter looks a bit off. Jerseys are good looking but not as good as MVP. Sometimes the announcers (stadium) will prenounce a players name wrong (Ivan Rodriguez which is really 'E-Vaan' is said as 'I-Vin').

There are three areas that the presentation excels in though. First is the commentators, Miller and Morgan, they are excellent and leagues better than MVP. Next is the pitching camera in the game (mimicking a broadcast view). MVP's was horrible so you always had to use the Batter's Camera in MVP, in 2K6 you get a nice TV feel. Last is that the menu's a well oragnized and clean looking. There's only one piece of background music in the game as well and it get's redundant.

When the game starts, it starts, no anthem, no cutscenes just straight to the first pitch. There also is no in between innings like in MVP, after the 3rd out a few seconds later the other team is up to bat. There's also no player walk ups or anything. There are replays though, for a great pitch, play, stealing a home run (press C Stick up if possible to rob a homer), and homeruns are basic things for a replay. I also hear no World Series victory cutscene.

Rosters: The rosters are out of date plain and simple (mid-Jan) and some players stats are off (like F. Liriano, J. Verlander, J.Zumaya).

Inside Edge: This is the main feature of the game. You can purchase an Inside Edge report on any player in the game. This report gives you an amazing scouting report on them and can be used during the game. Say Mussina is pitching and Ortiz is up to bat. The ball will automatically go over a certain spot (sometimes in the k-zone sometimes outside) and then one of you pitches will be flashing red or blue (red = strike, blue = ball). It will tell you that on a 2-1 count that the Slider is the best pitch to throw in this exact spot for a strike/ball.

On the other side of things, an Inside Edge report can tell me a pitchers hot zones for a certain pitch number, as well as how often they use a pitch. So in a 3-2 count there could be 3 hot zones in the strike zone and 1 outside. And then lets say his fast ball is his most used pitch, well you can expect a fastball in one of those 3 locations. It's simply amazing and something that needs to be experienced to fully understand.

Modes: Modes in the game are Play Ball (exhibition game), GM Career (be a GM for any team and fufill goals and play baseball), Franchise, Home Run Derby, Tournament, Create A Player etc....There's NO online like on other versions. However there is a World Baseball Classic mode which has all players and teams from the 06 WBC. Sadly you can only use these teams in the WBC mode and not in exhibition against MLB teams.

Misc: Barry Bonds isn't officially in this game but a mock player is. You can edit all current player stats. There are multiple jerseys/uniforms for every team, some unlockable. There are a few classic teams (95 Indians etc...). There's the Skybox like in past 2K games (can look at you stats, buy things, play mini games like Air Hockey).

Final Notes: Do give this game a chance, it's a really excellent baseball game. Getting the hang of the game won't take too long and once you do you're in for a great ride. The GameCube version of the game is also the best version with improved fielding/baserunning and a lack of severe glitches.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/31/06