Despite the concessions EA Sports had to make, MVP Baseball is a pretty good port of its baseball franchise to the PSP.

User Rating: 7 | MVP Baseball PSP
MVP Baseball is a pretty accurate port of MVP Baseball 2005 game to the PSP, as the game mechanics feel just like it did on the PC or other consoles. For the most part, the gameplay remains the same, although it may be slightly difficult to get the timing down and judge pitches while batting due to the PSP's smaller screen. Hitter's eye, the feature which colored the ball as it leaves the pitcher's hand depending on the pitch type, was also removed.

Outside of the quick play mode, the only game play modes are a full season and Home Run Showdown. This version of the game also lacks the minor league teams present in the PC and console versions.

Other changes had to be made to accommodate the game on a portable system. In Home Run Showdown, you only see your player, instead of the split screen found in the PC and console versions. Instead, a pane on the left hand side informs you how your opponent's doing. As the PSP lacks dual analog sticks, the control scheme had to be revised, now using the R button as a modifier for the single analog stick in order to control sliding and leadoffs. On the default settings, the fielding is set to assisted, which means you don't have to worry about chasing down balls. Instead, all you need to do is to take care of throwing the ball to the intended base.

Visually, the graphics look just as they did in the bigger version of the game, just scaled down. They are as good for the PSP as can be. The soundtrack contains the same songs. The commentary is intact, with Duane Kiper and Mike Krukow in the broadcast booth. MVP Points can be earned to unlock the same unlockables found in the other versions of the game, which include retro jerseys, classic stadiums, and legendary players.

I encountered a serious bug that would freeze my game in the late innings when the CPU substituted for their pitcher. It required a PSP restart, and would happen more often than not, which severely limits the fun you could have with this game.

MVP Baseball 2005 is one of the best baseball video games ever made, and if you have the chance, you should really play it on the PC or console systems to get the most enjoyment out of it. Playing it on the PSP doesn't do the game justice. On the PSP, the graphics aren't as sharp, the animation isn't as smooth, the smaller screen makes it harder to judge pitches, and the controls aren't as nice as they are with a full game pad. Nonetheless, despite the concessions EA Sports had to make, MVP Baseball is a pretty good port of its baseball franchise to the PSP.