MLB 2K8 pitching impressions from Gametap
by 
Jon Robinson over at Gametap has posted up his impressions of the new right analog pitching in MLB 2K8. Also included is a list of the top 20 rated non-closers in the bullpen. You can read the entire article by clicking here.
I was not only feeling frustrated, I felt like giving up on the game all together…But then something happened. I decided to play as the Mets, and somehow when pitching as Pedro, everything fell into place (and I didn’t even need a rooster). I was hitting the glove on the corner, my slider was devastating, and I held the computer to just one run through nine innings…Ever since then, I’ve fallen in love with the new pitching mechanic, so much so that my thumb actually hurts from all the right analog action.
Another aspect of pitching that fans should be aware of is the fact that you can really feel the difference between the aces like Santana and the fourth and fifth starters in your rotation. This difference is felt in everything from accuracy of your pitch to timing of the mechanic to even stamina.
I wonder how many people will have the patience with the new pitching mechanics. I like the idea behind it but after playing The Show’s demo and finding that normal button + meter has become more difficult to place pitches right where you want them I’m not sure it’s really necessary to get those varied results. Still I think the new pitching could really define the 2K franchise but it is the right stick hitting that I have no interest in.
February 14, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Damm Pasta…. Why are you on the Show’s nuts… Yea is a good game and the demo is nice but I cant believe that here we are in the second game of the show on the PS3 and we still have old school nintendo hitting methods.. button swinging takes no skill and sucks… the pitches dont have the breaks that MLB 2K has and I am striking out people left and right with Beckett in the demo on All Star… The game is smooth and tight but pitching is by far the most important aspect of a baseball game and MLB 2k8 has made it realistic… there is a learning curve but once you get the hang of it then you will feel like you are in control instead of just point and throw like the Show… DJRhude from DSM said the pitching is tight and the gamespot preview said that after you learn it… it becomes a sweet new addition and realistic…. I think you just a homer when it comes to EA games and the Show… But is cool…
February 14, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I think theres two different classes that they fall into. Theres innovation and then theres fixing what wasn’t broken (and for marketing purposes).
The right stick pitching I see as the first. Like I said it could define the 2K franchise. However right stick hitting I put in the second category. It just isn’t necessary and takes away from the fun and simplicity IMO. That isn’t going to change for me no matter the game (I switched to classic hitting in both 2K and MVP NCAA)
In the article the vision cone is mentioned and thats a great example of a feature that was put in to mask a different problem (running QBs being too effective) and to use as a back of the box feature.
February 14, 2008 at 11:48 pm
You really don’t use the right stick. I think that it makes things more life-like. I actually think it’s a little cheap when people don’t use it because all you need to do is press a button to hit.
February 15, 2008 at 3:02 am
Agreed. The Show 08 looks to be a fun and refined game of baseball – alabeit feeling kind of stale from a control perspective. 2K has brought the goods when it comes to innovation and I can’t wait to get my hands on the demo. Brinkman is the guy that brought baseball goodness in the MVP franchise so here’s to hoping this game is going to be tha shizzle. Do you guys remember a little over two years ago when Brinkman said the MLB 2K franchise was going to be a 3-year project when he was hired before MLB 2K6 was released? Well, this is the third year so this should be the MECA of the sport according to him… we shall see!
February 15, 2008 at 4:10 am
[quote comment="13457"]Do you guys remember a little over two years ago when Brinkman said the MLB 2K franchise was going to be a 3-year project when he was hired before MLB 2K6 was released? Well, this is the third year so this should be the MECA of the sport according to him… we shall see![/quote]
Actually this is year 2 with him (even slightly less than that if you consider he came in a little late to 07).
February 15, 2008 at 5:22 am
Im surprised anyone could thing using the right stick to swing is a gimmick. Its way more user involved than classic on 2k or the Shows hitting model. You actual have to step and swing. But not everyone is the same and alot of people do perfer classic.
February 15, 2008 at 7:43 am
Pasta-
Please tell me you aren’t the type of guy that switched back to classic controls on NHL 08 as well.
I’m a big fan of baseball games in general, and think both look great. Honestly though I am leaning toward 2k right now because they actually did something to innovate the genre and make it feel different than what I was playing on my PS2 5 years ago.
The swing stick was pretty basic last year in 2k7, but once I was exposed to it, it’s difficult to go back to using a button to hit- I feel the same way about NHL’s analog controls, as well as the shot stick in 2k basketball.
Stop slamming 2k every chance you get and applaud them for attempting to innovate the way we play sports games- something your precious EA sports never does. It’s almost as if you simply refuse to “learn” the new controls becaue they are not comfortable and what you are used to–well neither were NHL’s controls- but if you didn’t adapt to those, you are missing out on the new era of how the video game should be played–same goes for baseball.
If I want to keep playing baseball with an archaic button based control scheme, I’ll just pop in my old copy of MVP 05.
February 15, 2008 at 8:39 am
Play HOF on The Show with the left analog used for location to hit as well as x or square to hit then tell me how easy it is. LMFAO complaining because you are striking people out with Beckett the AL cy young winner and World Series champs. [quote comment="13413"]Damm Pasta…. Why are you on the Show’s nuts… Yea is a good game and the demo is nice but I cant believe that here we are in the second game of the show on the PS3 and we still have old school nintendo hitting methods.. button swinging takes no skill and sucks… the pitches dont have the breaks that MLB 2K has and I am striking out people left and right with Beckett in the demo on All Star… The game is smooth and tight but pitching is by far the most important aspect of a baseball game and MLB 2k8 has made it realistic… there is a learning curve but once you get the hang of it then you will feel like you are in control instead of just point and throw like the Show… DJRhude from DSM said the pitching is tight and the gamespot preview said that after you learn it… it becomes a sweet new addition and realistic…. I think you just a homer when it comes to EA games and the Show… But is cool…[/quote]
February 15, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Any news on the franchise mode? Anything new over last year? And what about the Show’s franchise mode.
Also, once both demos are out will there be a comparision of both?
February 15, 2008 at 3:17 pm
pasta when is the MLB 2k8 demo coming out? The show when ahead…. Any update?
February 16, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Why is 2K showing us nothing? I feel as though they are just waiving the white flag to the show….. I really don’t have a good feeling about MLB 2K8 anymore….
February 16, 2008 at 9:39 pm
2K has been a letdown to this point. If you want a solid game of baseball with a swing stick, you can play MVP/NCAA from EA. If you want the best baseball game on the market, you can play The Show.
I like the swing stick, but when the game fails to live up to Brinkman’s hype, it’s not worth the effort.
PS3 owners have the choice of both games, and by a huge margin choose The Show.