Head-To-Head Showdown
| All-Star Baseball 2005 | MLB 2005 | MVP Baseball 2004 | |
| Atmosphere | Player animation is smooth and lifelike. A few plays, such as infield catches, repeat too often. Stadium scoreboards and video screens are constantly updated. Fans cheer as a group. The music chosen for player introductions isn't as peppy as it was last year, but the crowd catcalls are hilarious. Thom Brennaman and Steve Lyons call an accurate and energetic game, but they're not as informative as they've been in past years. Rookie and veteran difficulty settings result in "arcadelike" scores. All-Star and Hall of Fame settings result in realistic games. |
Player animation is smooth, but most plays in the field repeat frequently. Players stop moving after a play is made. Outfield scoreboards and video screens are constantly updated. Individual fans stand up and cheer. There's some organ and PA music here and there, and if you pump your speakers, you can just make out a few generic crowd comments. The commentary from Vin Scully and Dave Campbell is accurate but dull. The controls and overall hit variety are fine, but the presentation isn't thrilling enough. |
There are so many different play animations, including rare plays that aren't usually found in baseball video games. Some stadium scoreboards update and some don't. Individual fans stand up and cheer. The PA music and player introductions are loud, and so are the cheers and catcalls that come from the crowd. Fans make player- and team-specific catcalls. Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow provide an exciting, fun commentary that isn't always accurate. The ability to control pitch accuracy, throw strength, slides, and individual runners really puts you into the game. |
| All-Star Baseball 2005 | MLB 2005 | MVP Baseball 2004 | |
| Graphics | ASB 2005 represents the middle ground between MLB and MVP. The graphics are sharp, the animation is smooth, and the amount of detail that's visible is good but not extravagant. Stadium models are precise, right down to active bullpens. The ball can ricochet off of railings and luxury boxes. |
MLB has the sharpest, smoothest graphics of any baseball game this season. Stadium models and crowd graphics are superb, but there isn't much going on outside the stadium. Clouds don't move, shadows don't crawl, and planes don't fly past, among other minor complaints. |
MVP's graphics look blurry at times, but they get the job done. Detail is what sets MVP apart. Fielders reach out to tag base runners, and cloud cover even causes the shadows to change on the field. |
| All-Star Baseball 2005 | MLB 2005 | MVP Baseball 2004 | |
| Simulation Depth | Pitching: select pitch type, aim with cursor, control pitch strength. Fielding: preselect throws, throw to cutoff man. Batting: four setups (timing, zone, 2D cursor, 3D cursor), guess pitch, contact or power swing, bunt. Contact zones change depending on the batter/pitcher matchup. Running: queue stolen base attempts, control individual runners. Franchise mode includes drafts, trades, fake A/AA/AAA farm systems, spring training, staff development, and player upgrades. Game includes: multiple lineups, bullpen use, injuries, ejections, errors, passed/dropped balls, thrown bats, and typical plays. |
Pitching: select pitch type, aim with cursor, control pitch strength. Fielding: preselect throws, throw to cutoff man. Batting: aim at nine general areas in strike zone, guess pitch, induce pop-up or grounder, bunt. Running: queue stolen base attempts, control individual runners. Franchise mode includes drafts, managerial contract goals, coach hiring, various advertising preferences, player development, transportation, and facilities management options. Game includes: multiple lineups, bullpen use, injuries, ejections, errors, passed/dropped balls, and typical plays. |
Pitching: aim with cursor, select pitch type, control pitch effectiveness and accuracy via onscreen meters. Fielding: preselect throws, throw to cutoff man, control strength of throws, off-balance throws are less accurate. Batting: aim at nine general areas in strike zone, bunt. Running: queue stolen base attempts, control individual runners, select type of slides used. Dynasty (franchise) mode includes drafts, trades, AA/AAA farm clubs, farm club call-ups, managerial contract goals, team happiness, and player moods. Game includes: multiple lineups, bullpen use, injuries, ejections, errors, passed/dropped balls, check swing hits, missed tags, missed bases, typical plays, and dozens of rare plays. |
| All-Star Baseball 2005 | MLB 2005 | MVP Baseball 2004 | |
| Features & Modes | Features: 30 MLB Teams 15 Star & Hero Teams 100+ Legend Players 17 Classic Ballparks 60 Retro Jerseys Player Editor Spring Jerseys 20 Fantasy Ballparks 4 Players Can Play Modes: quick play, franchise, expansion, pickup game, home run contest, "This Week In Baseball" challenge, trivia game |
Features: 30 MLB Teams 2 Legends Teams 78 Legend Players 6 Classic Ballparks 60 Retro Jerseys Player Editor EyeToy Face Capture Headset Voice Commands Modes: exhibition, season, career, franchise, playoffs, home run contest, text-based manager mode. |
Features: 30 MLB Teams 2 Legends Teams 52 Legend Players 8 Classic Ballparks 60 Retro Jerseys Player Editor 60 AA/AAA Teams 20+ Game-Tuning Options Modes: exhibition, dynasty (franchise), home run contest, pitching contest, text-based manager mode, scenario editor. |
| All-Star Baseball 2005 | MLB 2005 | MVP Baseball 2004 | |
| Online Options | Exhibition games Scoreboards Roster updates |
Exhibition games Scoreboards Custom tournaments Message center |
(PS2, PC only) Exhibition games Scoreboards Roster updates Message center |
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