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2K warms up MLB 2K6

By Tim Surette, GameSpotPosted Dec 6, 2005 11:57 am PT

Annual (and occasionally biannual) game announced for spring on Xbox 360, Xbox, PS2, GameCube, PSP; Jeter steals cover.

In the crowded field of dreams that is game licensing and publishing, "If you buy the rights, they will come" is a phrase Take-Two Interactive is counting on. In January, the Grand Theft Auto publisher and parent company of 2K Sports purchased the third-party rights to Major League Baseball-branded games during the flurry of sports-licensing deals that began with Electronic Arts acquiring the NFL license.

In a move about as predictable as intentionally walking Barry Bonds with first base open, 2K Sports announced Major League Baseball 2K6. Officially the second iteration of the franchise under the licensing deal (Major League Baseball 2K5: World Series Edition was released in October), the game will take its swings this spring on the Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 2, PSP, and GameCube.

By owning the third-party rights to MLB games, Take-Two threw out EA from competition. Only console manufacturers Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft can make MLB games, and only for their own consoles. So far, Sony is the lone first party that has announced a baseball game, MLB '06: The Show for the PS2 and PSP, for the upcoming season. Nintendo may jump into the game, as Nintendo Pennant Chase Baseball was pegged to take the field before being canceled late in development. EA, not content to watch from the dugout, fought back and announced MVP 06 NCAA Baseball, a collegiate take on the sport.

With fewer competitors in the market, 2K Sports has expanded its usual platform roster to include the Nintendo GameCube, PSP, and Xbox 360. In recent years, 2K's baseball titles only played a doubleheader on the Xbox and PS2. The Xbox 360 version marks baseball's debut on next-generation systems.

The game will feature new animations, enhanced commentary, and "flashback replays." It will also bring back game modes, features, and New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter as the cover athlete, who previously posed for the cover of last season's 2K baseball game. 2K Sports will announce more features as MLB 2K6 approaches its release date.

16 Comments

  • SU182

    Posted Dec 7, 2005 5:04 pm PT

    Um, How did this effect EA, Their using the MVP license not the MLB license.

  • lilweightlifter

    Posted Dec 7, 2005 3:59 pm PT

    Hopefully this will play more smoothly than the last ones.

  • dhkski

    Posted Dec 7, 2005 12:16 pm PT

    EA with the "hitters eye" was a really good baseball game, maybe the best. Can 2K sports do it? This up coming season is going to be a very interesting one. The only reason I'll buy 2K is to hit with David Ortiz, he better be awesome.

  • sprawwl

    Posted Dec 7, 2005 5:22 am PT

    I have an X-box, with games including Halo, Halo 2, and KOTOR (along with 5 sports games including NCAA Football 2005 and NBA 2k5). I have played PS2's Shadow of the Colossus and Madden. I have played the Zelda games on Gamecube. I love my PC. No console yet has worked out a good cursor system- a system that is essential for good RTS gameplay.

  • trick_man01

    Posted Dec 7, 2005 5:19 am PT

    WOOO!!!

  • redwin

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 11:47 pm PT

    I'm craving a baseball game on the 360, since wold series does not work on the new console. I tell you, 2k makes the best baseball games....I'm static about this news.

  • wiafs02

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 9:47 pm PT

    i can't wait for the xbox360 version

  • BL1NDS1DE

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 6:33 pm PT

    All you PC lovers, just buy a console.

  • Jer_Stryker

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 3:32 pm PT

    I think if they are going to get exclusive rights, they should be obligated to make a PC version, since none of the console makers can do a PC version even. Of course there is nothing that says they have to, it's just more fair.

    I bet if you made pie charts of all the different types of sports games and looked at percentages of platforms on each, the one that the PC would have the biggest slice of would be baseball. Just a guess though.

  • runyoncolie

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 2:56 pm PT

    I hate licensing.

  • gmoney983

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 2:27 pm PT

    Let me tell you guys that MLB 2K5 was the most fun baseball game of the year. From the presentation to commentary to the gameplay, it was all top notch. I found only one minor problem. That was with the fielding. It felt as if the players had no real weight when they reacted to the ball. They seemed a little stiff and moved a bit too fast. If they fix this problem this series is gonna be great. Still that did not take away the enjoyment from this superior sports title. If you haven't played 2K5 pick it up now. It is worth $20 and then some. Cannot wait to see what's in store for '06 and what the Xbox 360 edition is gonna look like. You go 2K sports and go Yankees!!

  • RLJSlick

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 1:57 pm PT

    Hmm thats a good point. In the past they didn't make sports games for the PC, but now, if they gonna make it for the rest of the machines out there, why not the PC. Someone need to tell 2K Sports that the the reports of the PC death have been highly exaggerated.

  • MadGamer132

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 1:55 pm PT

    i may get the World Series edition, but i can't wait.

  • Lurcher6

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 1:04 pm PT

    Why no PC version, I always play my baseball on computers, why would they leave PC users without a title

  • miklifton

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 12:29 pm PT

    World Series Edition really sucked so they better make a LOT of improvements.

  • submissions72

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 12:22 pm PT

    SWEET cantt waittt

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