With outstanding presentation and solid gameplay, MLB is an enjoyable baseball game for the PSP.
Very much like some other PSP sports games, there is no franchise mode, and the only game mode outside of Quick Play is Season mode. In Season mode, you can perform all the expected functions, like adjust your batting lineups and pitching rotation, view statistics, and access your schedule.
In game, MLB offers adequate options for managing your team. You can pinch hit, pinch run, visit the mound, and warm up pitchers. When bringing in a reliever, the game offers the option of performing a double switch when playing in NL ballparks. Pressing the Select button prior to a pitch brings up a status screen where you can see pitcher and batter stats and attributes, as well as pitch history. The game automatically takes care of defensive alignment, and you'll see your infield adjusted for double play situations, as well as shifts for left handed sluggers like Jason Giambi or Carlos Delgado. There is a fast forward feature to simulate the next half inning, inning, and so on. There are also a bunch of game and CPU tuning options you can tweak.
The pitching interface is pretty much the same as in EA Sports' MVP Baseball, using a pitching meter and the same mechanics. The batting interface is also similar, and requires you to aim your swing with the analog stick in order to make good contact. Unique to this game is the option of guessing the pitch and its location. If you guess correctly, you're more likely to get a hit if you connect with the pitch.
In the field, you'll see some interesting ball physics, as occasionally the ball will bounce off fielders, as well as bounce off their gloves on hard hit grounders to the outfield. While fielding, a small circle indicates where you should be moving your fielder to catch the ball. On fly balls, a large dark circle indicates the general area where the ball will fall, while a smaller white circle pinpoints the location.
The CPU AI shows its intelligence, and will do things like back up throws and know when it's a bunt situation. Generally, the runners are slow and the fielders have strong arms, so it's uncommon for a runner to advance from first to third or second to home on a single. The number of passed balls and throwing errors are about what you'd expect to see in real life.
MLB's presentation is superb, and an outstanding aspect of the game. The graphics are great, and are just as good as MVP Baseball's graphics. The particular details of each stadium are wonderfully captured, including an animated crowd. Dynamic scoreboards indicate the current score and pitch count, and video screens in the stadium reflect the current game situation in real time. On the field, player models look like their real life counterparts, and there are nice animations, such as runners waving their hands for a safe call after running out a close play at first base. Uniforms pick up dirt during the course of the game as well. However, it is worth noting that the game lacks any sort of player profile photos, whether in game or when viewing player stats, which were present in MVP Baseball.
Even though the game is on a portable console, 989 Sports didn't compromise with the sound presentation. There is full play by play commentary provided by the duo of Matt Vasgersian and Dave Campbell, and may be the most impressive commentary for a sports game on a portable console, with lines recorded for just about every scenario, including uncommon ones. In addition, the public address announcer announces the batter's name as he comes up to the plate. A really neat thing I noticed is that after the game in Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium, the announcer also announces accurate subway train service stations.
989 Sports did wonderfully in bringing a home console experience to the PSP, even with the limitations and portable nature of the platform. With outstanding presentation and solid gameplay, MLB shows off the PSP's capabilities, and is an enjoyable baseball game as well.