First Look at MLB 09: The Show
by 
Jon Robinson at ESPN has an exclusive first look at MLB 09: The Show including the first screenshots for the game. While some of what is touched on came out of the earlier previews, this one goes into greater detail. It even includes the much of the fact sheet for the game. Check out the full article here.
Just like last year the fact sheet is incredibly impressive. The only thing that disappoints me out of that is no mention of being able to upload the video highlights or screenshots. Everything else sounds fantastic and only will increase everyone’s anticipation. Leave your thoughts in the comments.
December 19, 2008 at 4:40 am
any news on the madden roster update??
December 19, 2008 at 4:52 am
Later today…
December 19, 2008 at 4:46 am
My goodness. I never thought it could look THAT much better. Even looks way better at night. The lighting just looks like night now! The crowd is more diverse as well … the under Fenway shot is AMAZING … as well as the Yankee one!
I am impressed!!!
December 19, 2008 at 4:52 am
I haven't seen this anywhere, and I think if it were in, we'd have read about it somewhere, but anything on maybe having a WBC Mode this year? I know one of the games did it last time around.
December 19, 2008 at 5:11 am
WHEN IS THE MADDEN ROSTER UPDATE COMING OUT???!!!
December 19, 2008 at 5:11 am
forget it read the other comments////////////////
December 19, 2008 at 5:12 am
This game is going to be the GOAT.
December 19, 2008 at 5:34 am
I notice they have markings on the cleats now instead of being blank.
I hope they eye black and glasses on the players that wear them in 09
I also hope they don't have blocked out players from being edited for the player names.
December 19, 2008 at 5:42 am
I'm excited to see Darryl Hamilton's signature stance.
December 19, 2008 at 5:45 am
The Show has been a great game for some time now. Sony showed it's ass in baseball.
December 19, 2008 at 7:20 am
character models look more detailed. very nice stuff.
December 19, 2008 at 7:22 am
Will this game ever be on 360? I'm tempted to get a PS3 just for this game. I'm dying for some good baseball
December 19, 2008 at 7:48 am
Sony Playstation Exclusive.
December 19, 2008 at 7:25 am
Madden roster update is already out.
I guess Pasta is a little behind.
December 19, 2008 at 7:41 am
LOOK at the power of the PS3!!! imagine what they could do to their b-ball game if they really wanted!!!
can't wait for this!!!
December 19, 2008 at 7:51 am
Apples and Oranges my friend.
December 19, 2008 at 7:52 am
what are the transactions ratings up and down and sort?
December 19, 2008 at 8:04 am
what are the transactions ratings up and down and sort?
December 19, 2008 at 8:14 am
I'm definitely excited for this game. It's definitely on my must-have list for 2009.
December 19, 2008 at 8:23 am
Why do you guys keeping asking about the Madden Roster update? Does anyone even still play Madden? I lost interest in October.
December 19, 2008 at 8:31 am
Hey Pasta,
That was a great article and features. How can this game be so deep and Madden (EA) can't even scratch the surface of being authentic to the real sport?
December 19, 2008 at 8:51 am
look at the fan screenshot.. the damb game looks like real life. Thats crazy. 2Ks graphics are getting old, and i just wish i had a PS3, to play this thing on.
December 19, 2008 at 8:51 am
NOW its time for MLB 2k9 to step up its game, as a Xbox 360 owner, this really makes me cringe as i read this article. The Show 2009 is shaping up to top MVP Baseball 2005. Lets see what you got 2k Sports!!!!!!
December 19, 2008 at 8:53 am
they should just release the video now
December 19, 2008 at 8:55 am
Sell the 360, get a PS3….PS3 had caught up to the 360 gameplay wise…PS3 exclusives are going to top 360's exclusives….Especially with Uncharted 2, Gran Turismo 5 or whatever and MLB 09….plus bluray movies and free online…
December 19, 2008 at 9:05 am
It's not a matter of catching up gameplay wise. Cross platform titles have performed identically. I have both systems and I can honestly say that I only use my PS3 to watch Blu Ray movies and to play MLB the Show. If you want more exclusive gaming, I'd say go the the Xbox 360, if you want some exclusive and can settle for playing more cross platform games and you actually do buy/rent Blu Ray then go for that. The PS3 is an excellent Blu Ray player. Also ensure you have a HDTV capable TV with HDMI cables (don't buy monster cables) you can find 6 feet HDMI cables online for $6 and they are just as good.
December 19, 2008 at 9:34 am
Man only if Sony could make an NFL game! EA please take notes! MLB the show is the blueprint on how to make a sports video game. No gimicky kiddy features, just straight up realism. This will probably be the best sports video game ever made!
December 19, 2008 at 10:52 am
Apples and Oranges. Madden was reviewed very highly and thus is good sports video game. No single game is perfect and have areas to improve.
December 19, 2008 at 9:44 am
I may be getting a PS3 this spring, unless 2k comes up with something that can at least be played.
This game will be amazing
December 19, 2008 at 9:54 am
The list is awesome. However, there were a few items I was hoping to read:
1) Option to choose uniforms for CPU teams during season / franchise modes
2) Weather effects…I know the crowd will dress according to weather but will there be weather effects and will it impact gameplay (hitting in the cold is brutal)
3) Will umpires have names so you can track which ump has a small zone, etc.
4) Will there be unlockables (classic teams, players, uniforms, etc)
Other than that, this series is the best of any sports games released on any console. With baseball being such a difficult sport to emulate Sony has done an awesome job. I am still playing The Show 08 and it doesn't get old….
December 19, 2008 at 10:50 am
I don't think any sport is easy to emulate, but I think with baseball the animations run a lot smoother because a lot of the basics is generic and pre-set animations. I'm not knocking this game, its one of my more favorite ones to play in the year, but I think MLB games probably have it a bit easier than a football or basketball game in terms of free range control. Great game though.
December 19, 2008 at 10:09 am
After last years 2k flop, I will be very tempted to get a PS3 this year unless 2k really exceeds expectations.
December 19, 2008 at 10:09 am
what up with all of these fanboy advertisers?
Sony, Microsoft…..who gives a hoot.
I want the Madden Ratings Up.
December 19, 2008 at 10:51 am
Pasta you are slippin big time! Where is my Madden rosters update? I better have it by 11:00pm EST or else!
December 19, 2008 at 11:26 am
When Madden are you going to give me a boost in attributes? I played better than any QB over a 3 week stretch and I can't get a single bump. You have T.Choice for Dallas who had 1 decent aiight game and he got a boost why? Q.Mikell is having the best statisical year of any safety but you don't show him any love either. I think the Madden team really has a gripe over the Eagles and love dem some cowgirls. TO still dropping passes their line sucks and Roy E. Williams looks like the worse WR in sports (why does he still have a 90's rating?). Do what's right Madden and give me and my teamates the bump they deserve!
Sincerley #5
December 19, 2008 at 11:49 am
Thank god i bought a ps3, mlb 09 is gonna be AWESOME. I also hope 2k really improves there product so i can have two great baseball games, but if this game plays and looks good as it sounds, then this game is all i'll need.
December 19, 2008 at 11:56 am
@ Cabrillo24…My statement in regards to the challenge of emulating baseball. The reason baseball is tough to emulate is due to the millions of little things that can impact statistics. In football, a one yard rush is one yard. In baseball, there are tons of ways to get a hit. That hit variety along with a game keeping batting averages on the realistic side is difficult to create.
The Show is the best at having realistic stats, even for users. Although the user stats may be a tad high, hitting .400 with hitters is difficult to accomplish, if not impossible.
From an animation standpoint, I also disagree that baseball would be easier since players go left, right, at angles, dive, jump, adjust to bad hops, etc. Sony has done an awesome job in making The Show ultra-realistic in just the way the game looks and they way the players move. The nuances of each player (Ichiro's hitting routine, Pudge's routine while at the plate, Bonderman's reaction to pitches, etc.) is awesome….
This game was the only reason I bought a PS3.
December 20, 2008 at 1:42 am
This sounds outstanding!!!! So why cant we get this kind of innovation and depth in a football game??? Instead we get a whole lot of hyped up BS!!!! I hate EA. MLB 09 sounds amazing, hopefully it will be.
December 20, 2008 at 2:45 am
oh man these graphics are sparkling! if i was watching a real game and this id be questioned on which one isnt real! one thing is they should have had practice jerseys when practicing. i really wish i had a ps3 now!
December 20, 2008 at 4:00 am
I'm buying a PS3 just to have this game!
as well as Little Big Planet
December 20, 2008 at 4:11 am
Ive played alot of xbox as well, and ilke i said, if you like sports gaming, go with the ps3, if you love halo, stick with the 360. Ive played sports titles on both and they seem to be a bit better on the ps3 the last year. But to someone who loves halo and that series, will argue. Either way you cant lose, but if you want a great baseball game, your better off buying the ps3 and getting the blu-ray.
Try being on your honeymoon in fla when this game comes out, yet the wife giving me permission to bring my ps3 down and get it and play it, altho very small incrimates, what a wife huh??
December 20, 2008 at 4:48 am
Actually I have both a Ps3 and 360…Almost every Sports game I have Madden, Live, NBA2k9 etc plays better on the 360…So realistically if you prefer sports games go with the 360 because everything runs better on the 360 that's a cross platform game.
If you want MGS, The Show , free online and Blu Ray then go Ps3…Anyone who sais the sports games run smoother on Ps3 is straight up lyin
December 20, 2008 at 5:11 am
Funny, because IGN did a "head to head" with the new Madden. And they said they are both IDENTICAL in every way, framerate, etc. With a slighter more crisp look on the PS3 version. Other than that, they are identical.
It is all in the mind. The PS3 has caught up now for cross platform play. And has one advantage in sports. The Show.
December 20, 2008 at 5:49 am
it all could be matter of opinion, but maybe CRISPER would be the better choice of words. I absolutely think oppo of what afroman said. In my opinion they may play the same, but i think ps3 sports titles are smoother and crisper. But its just a matter of opinion i guess, and i dont own a xbox so i cant speak for a ton of titles, but ive player, the same titles, on fight night, madden, ncaa, mlb2k7, and thats my opinion.
December 20, 2008 at 8:16 am
PS3 Madden is Terrible online…Same 4 NBA Live…I love my Ps3 but there is no way I would try and tell someone Ps3's free online is better than LIVE…The games look the same but thsts about where the comparison stops for cross platform games…The 360 is the LEAD console so the games on both feel and play better on the 360>>>IMO
December 20, 2008 at 8:19 am
In fact its almost a ghost town on the Ps3…The lack of quick effective communication and the state of cross platform games has all my dual system owning friends playing far more on the 360…The Ps3's only advantage thus far is THE SHOW and Blu Ray…After that there is no real reason IMO to have a Ps3…I live its interface etc but just like the 1st Xbox got shortchanged…Sop goes the Ps3
December 20, 2008 at 10:05 am
"Online
Not only will the game support Online Season Leagues with fully functional drafts, Sony has also added flex scheduling so gamers can jump ahead and play games out of order depending on which opponents are online. Up to 30 teams can participate and the mode includes full stat tracking and customization down to number of teams and games in the schedule.
There is also a cool Roster Vault option where gamers can create their own custom rosters and upload them online for other gamers to use."
This online news is unbelievable (full stat tracking, flex scheduling, etc) but not if the lag continues tom persist….Great news though
December 21, 2008 at 1:48 am
I own both systems and in regards to online nothing beats XBox Live. PSN is brutal. The Home beta is interesting but I am not sure if Sony wants to you to spend more time wandering around a virtual town or playing its games….Confusing.
December 20, 2008 at 8:57 pm
My getting hyped up every year only to be bitter that I don’t own a ps3 and the show has come to an end. As a hardcore MVP 05 fan this game so far has me on that same cloud I was on back when I was playing mvp.
For any hardcore MLB the show fans: how are online servers for this game in previous years?
December 22, 2008 at 3:06 am
I really hope to be able to play any teams schedule in franchise mode, rather than just the 2 teams that 08 allowed us.
December 22, 2008 at 3:18 am
will there be any HR derby Pasta???
December 22, 2008 at 6:21 am
Best game ever!
January 2, 2009 at 11:32 am
man i thought that was a real life picture an also will it be on 360
i want this game more than any game ive ever wanted and i dont have ps3 this sucks