MLB 2K9 Features List

by pastapadre
Posted January 8th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

I’ve gotten my hands on the features list for MLB 2K9. This represents the first real info for the game which is set to be in stores on March 3rd.

As expected it appears that they’ve attempted to simplify several aspects of the game. The trading card system looks to have been improved and more has been done to add to the authenticity of the experience. Providing the basics such as a smooth framerate and solid online performance are a necessity for this year, but other than those things is there enough here to deliver the game consumers have been hoping for?

Continue on to check out what is in store for this year and leave your thoughts in the comments!

Homerun Derby presented by State Farm

New best of the best mode. Test your skills against the top 20 HR hitters.

Classic mode streamlined for faster gameplay

New Playoffs Mode

Jump right into a playoff scenario without having to play through a whole season.

Get all of the rewards of the World Series celebrations if you win.

Topps Trading Cards

Greatly simplify the user experience to unlock trading cards. Better players are harder to unlock.

Unlock them both by playing with and against the player

Build trading card teams with no budget restrictions and take them online.

Review the trading cards in books anywhere in the game.

Reelmaker

Add SFX and graphic overlays to in-game replays to create your own highlight reel.

You can have the game digitize the reel and upload it to 2KSports.com to share with the world.

Rate reels and directors through our simple 2Krating system

VIP Viewer

View all of your user stats in one place.

Your abilities are graphed out, displayed in chart form, and comparable against league averages.

Trophies

Implement the new Sony PS3 trophy system

On 360 each time you unlock an achievement you get a new trophy added to your display case.

Pitching

Pitching – Unique pitching controls with increased accessibility for pick-up-and-play users.

Improved pitching controls – Simplified controls to 2-step pitching – hold and gesture

Catcher’s will call for pitches according to the hitter’s weaknesses

Hitting

Influence hit – The users will be able to influence a fly ball or groundball with new controls.

New bunting controls – Improved bunting will make it easier to lay down a bunt.

Zone hitting – Users will be able to put the bat on the ball with our new zone hitting feature.

Hit distribution – Improved hit distribution for a wide variety of hits.

Fielding

Fielding – Upgraded fielding system with new ability to quick throw when in a rush.

Fielding AI – Improved fielding AI will highlight the player’s true ability.

Quick Throws – Quick throws will allow the user to throw on the run or start a double play quicker.

Hold the ball – Users will be able to cancel a throw and throw to a different direction on the fly.

Baserunning

Simplified controls for the user for stealing and baserunning.

Signature Style

More than 300 new signature animations, making MLB2K9 the most realistic baseball sim to date.

Real-time Living World

Anything that happens in a baseball stadium happens in 2K9 in Real Time.

Players will move from the dugout to the batter’s box and from the bullpen to the mound.

Players warm up by throwing around the horn, bat swinging practice, etc.

Umpire, ball boys, coaches – All onfield personnel will be moving naturally to and from their positions.

Celebrations – Players will react properly to a regular end-game to walkoff home run, to no-hitter and World Series celebration.

Vendors move in the crowd

Fans react to home runs and foul balls

Tags:

Eric

Celebrations – Players will react properly to a regular end-game to walkoff home run, to no-hitter and World Series celebration.

is the only thing that lookes good.
pasta, since this is features it will not say anything on franchise yet right?
Eric

Celebrations – Players will react properly to a regular end-game to walkoff home run, to no-hitter and World Series celebration.

is the only thing that lookes good.
pasta, since this is features it will not say anything on franchise yet right?
J-Claw

It looks like we will have a better game this year but nothing on there really thrills me. Obviously it isn't going to be as good as The Show but hopefully it will be good enough.

http://intensedebate.com/people/theredsox98 theredsox98

MLB 2k9 is absolutely awful. I was deeply awaiting the release of it, and now i want my $60 back. The online play is terrible, as is the outfield play. The plays at home are rediculously horrible. Whoever made this game should never get hired to make another game. Next year im only going to buy this game if it is $20 or less. Everyone who made this game did an extremely lazy job. They focused more on making the fans more realistic and then the gameplay is horendous.

J-Claw

It looks like we will have a better game this year but nothing on there really thrills me. Obviously it isn't going to be as good as The Show but hopefully it will be good enough.

http://intensedebate.com/people/theredsox98 theredsox98

MLB 2k9 is absolutely awful. I was deeply awaiting the release of it, and now i want my $60 back. The online play is terrible, as is the outfield play. The plays at home are rediculously horrible. Whoever made this game should never get hired to make another game. Next year im only going to buy this game if it is $20 or less. Everyone who made this game did an extremely lazy job. They focused more on making the fans more realistic and then the gameplay is horendous.

r00tabaga

…yawnnnnnnnnn

http://theshowfiles.com/ UncleMo

I second that, however, let's wait and see if there is a pillow provided.

AuntMO

ha ha funny uncle mo (sarcastly) im intersted to see how the game develops. In the book harry potter and the order of the phenox dr yakamou and i quote " This game will meet the success rate of Baird…..which for you other ppl that means hes growing as fast as john roush and his starting career" pg. 334 section 2 page 2 paragraph 5 I thank thee for the time you used listening to my great story…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

JonTheGreat13

i like the new features even though i havent played 08, this game is looking good

r00tabaga

…yawnnnnnnnnn

http://theshowfiles.com UncleMo

I second that, however, let's wait and see if there is a pillow provided.

AuntMO

ha ha funny uncle mo (sarcastly) im intersted to see how the game develops. In the book harry potter and the order of the phenox dr yakamou and i quote " This game will meet the success rate of Baird…..which for you other ppl that means hes growing as fast as john roush and his starting career" pg. 334 section 2 page 2 paragraph 5 I thank thee for the time you used listening to my great story…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

JonTheGreat13

i like the new features even though i havent played 08, this game is looking good

Maddenforlife

The last part is probaly the best the presentation. I can't say I've played 2k8 but I think the gameplay needed revamped so the new controls to fielding and batting controls look ok. I did really enjoy 2k7 though so better than that would be ok
Maddenforlife

The last part is probaly the best the presentation. I can't say I've played 2k8 but I think the gameplay needed revamped so the new controls to fielding and batting controls look ok. I did really enjoy 2k7 though so better than that would be ok
Tyrone

Pretty good. They've added zone hitting, which is a huge upgrade. And they seem to be focusing on the little things.
Tyrone

Pretty good. They've added zone hitting, which is a huge upgrade. And they seem to be focusing on the little things.
Slacker77

This seems very underwhelming. I know you are not going to fix all the problems in one year, but 2 needs to get back to basics. Start from the ground up and see what you can do. For god's sakes please fix the online in at least one of your sports games.
http://intensedebate.com/people/HustlinOwl HustlinOwl

LOL all those features should be standard in all sports games nowadays. What have they really added
Slacker77

This seems very underwhelming. I know you are not going to fix all the problems in one year, but 2 needs to get back to basics. Start from the ground up and see what you can do. For god's sakes please fix the online in at least one of your sports games.
http://intensedebate.com/people/HustlinOwl HustlinOwl

LOL all those features should be standard in all sports games nowadays. What have they really added
slacker77

2 = 2k
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/HustlinOwl HustlinOwl

LOL all those features should be standard in all sports games nowadays. What have they really added, besides reel maker?
slacker77

2 = 2k
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/HustlinOwl HustlinOwl

LOL all those features should be standard in all sports games nowadays. What have they really added, besides reel maker?
Mark

Why did they need to improve the trading card feature? 2K is a disaster and should have been sold to EA….and I'm not even an EA fan….
Mark

Why did they need to improve the trading card feature? 2K is a disaster and should have been sold to EA….and I'm not even an EA fan….
Quirkstre

I'm so pleased that visual concepts is doing this game instead of kush no matter what kush did or said they still drove the game into the ground. Visual Concepts on the other hand masters the presentation and gameplay aspect of sports games (e.g. NBA 2k9 and ESPN NFL 2k5), My point exactly.
Quirkstre

I'm so pleased that visual concepts is doing this game instead of kush no matter what kush did or said they still drove the game into the ground. Visual Concepts on the other hand masters the presentation and gameplay aspect of sports games (e.g. NBA 2k9 and ESPN NFL 2k5), My point exactly.
Jo Jo

NOTHING about Franchise/Dynasty mode… as a big player of Franchise, this concerns me. I know Front Office Manager will be the "Franchise" game per say, but the 2k8 Franchise was weak in my opinion
Jo Jo

NOTHING about Franchise/Dynasty mode… as a big player of Franchise, this concerns me. I know Front Office Manager will be the "Franchise" game per say, but the 2k8 Franchise was weak in my opinion
wpsn

As an avid MLB The Show gamer, I must say this raised my eyebrows even more regarding the signature styles. The rest sounds like their trying to play catch up to The Show.
wpsn

As an avid MLB The Show gamer, I must say this raised my eyebrows even more regarding the signature styles. The rest sounds like their trying to play catch up to The Show.
http://www.rangerfans.com/ Joe Siegler

I am glad they were keeping the cards. The trading cards was my favorite feature from 2k8. I expect though they'll pick up the bug which let you get infinite packs of cards this time around, though.
http://www.rangerfans.com Joe Siegler

I am glad they were keeping the cards. The trading cards was my favorite feature from 2k8. I expect though they'll pick up the bug which let you get infinite packs of cards this time around, though.
Johnson

sounds like a solid game to me..you guys are too critical. you havent even seen anything…get lifes
Joe

As a 360 owner I'm a bit sadden that MLB 2k9 is the only baseball game on the market. We've all seen what happens when there's only one sports franchise to choose from (Madden). Presentation is something that 2K usually done very well so I'm sure the game will look great. Why can't they just use the blue print for a Franchise mode from their NBA series? Still looking forward to the game but this list doesn't make me overly excited.
Joe

As a 360 owner I'm a bit sadden that MLB 2k9 is the only baseball game on the market. We've all seen what happens when there's only one sports franchise to choose from (Madden). Presentation is something that 2K usually done very well so I'm sure the game will look great. Why can't they just use the blue print for a Franchise mode from their NBA series? Still looking forward to the game but this list doesn't make me overly excited.
Johnson

sounds like a solid game to me..you guys are too critical. you havent even seen anything…get lifes
dog

awful feature list – who the hell cares about Reelmaker, HR derby,trading cards or if a vendor moves in the stands??? what a waste of time.
dog

awful feature list – who the hell cares about Reelmaker, HR derby,trading cards or if a vendor moves in the stands??? what a waste of time.
Jo Jo

Also, there is no word on if they FINALLY canned Miller and Morgan, they are OK on TV, but AWFUL on 2k Sporgs games
Jo Jo

Also, there is no word on if they FINALLY canned Miller and Morgan, they are OK on TV, but AWFUL on 2k Sporgs games
Terry

Sounds like a solid foundation to me and since I own a 360 this is great news to me… They have really fine tuned some thing and that's good news in my books!!!! Glad to see the Living world section and all the detail. Nice to see fans react to home runs etc lol……. Game should be solid and I don't even care about The Show b/c I don't have a PS3 so STOP COMPARING IT… if you want the show so badly, sell your 360 and buy a ps3.. two different games people…

1234

ps3 sucks!!!!!!!

Kevin

But The Show doesn't.

Terry

Sounds like a solid foundation to me and since I own a 360 this is great news to me… They have really fine tuned some thing and that's good news in my books!!!! Glad to see the Living world section and all the detail. Nice to see fans react to home runs etc lol……. Game should be solid and I don't even care about The Show b/c I don't have a PS3 so STOP COMPARING IT… if you want the show so badly, sell your 360 and buy a ps3.. two different games people…

1234

ps3 sucks!!!!!!!

Kevin

But The Show doesn't.

asu666

I want the camera settings changed to USER/CPU instead of HOME/AWAY. HOME/AWAY changes and forces the user to flip back and forth. USER/CPU means the cameras only have to be set once.
asu666

I want the camera settings changed to USER/CPU instead of HOME/AWAY. HOME/AWAY changes and forces the user to flip back and forth. USER/CPU means the cameras only have to be set once.
Anthony

I hate this one "Influence hit – The users will be able to influence a fly ball or groundball with new controls". If the game has a really good physics engine, the ball should automatically be a fly ball or groundball depending on where it hits the bat. I shouldn't have to influence it on the controller. That concerns me that the ball will go to a predetermined spot instead of where it naturally should. Top Spin 3 had this problem too.

Giovanni

Right, but if influence hit means you can influence where your bat will hit the ball we're spot on….
Kroger

That is not what they meant. Influence hit is meant for situational hitting; sack flies, hit and runs, moving the runner etc.

Anthony

I hate this one "Influence hit – The users will be able to influence a fly ball or groundball with new controls". If the game has a really good physics engine, the ball should automatically be a fly ball or groundball depending on where it hits the bat. I shouldn't have to influence it on the controller. That concerns me that the ball will go to a predetermined spot instead of where it naturally should. Top Spin 3 had this problem too.

Giovanni

Right, but if influence hit means you can influence where your bat will hit the ball we're spot on….
Kroger

That is not what they meant. Influence hit is meant for situational hitting; sack flies, hit and runs, moving the runner etc.

bodhiball

Yeah, some of it sounds cool….but I cant imagine any of these things being enjoyable if Jon and Joe are still saying the SAME phrases after all these years or hearing the Tampa D__Rays being spliced into the game. Not to mention an unplayable frame rate and downgraded graphics. Here's hoping!
bodhiball

Yeah, some of it sounds cool….but I cant imagine any of these things being enjoyable if Jon and Joe are still saying the SAME phrases after all these years or hearing the Tampa D__Rays being spliced into the game. Not to mention an unplayable frame rate and downgraded graphics. Here's hoping!
adam

2k is shit.
This stuff is pathetic.
adam

2k is shit.
This stuff is pathetic.
shortstop

I've heard complaints and suggestions for this franchise since WS2k3. If one day they managed to please everyone they deserve a nobel prize. Every time they add one feature, someone else complains about it. Every time they pull something people complain about that. It always gets compared unfavorably to MVP 2005 for some reason, but that game had it's problems too. I hated the hitting meter, and I didn't find the "hitter's eye" feature that usable.

I thought 2k8 was awesome from a single player standpoint. I loved the pitching, and it sounds like they might be simplifying it too much. The hitting could use some minor improvement, but it wasn't that bad. Fielding is probably the most difficult thing for a game to do well, and for me it's fine. I'm not sure what people want out of it. Whatever happens, you're still in the situation of switching instantly from a pitching interface to a field view trying to snag a fast grounder, then get a quick throw off. Short of having playable fielders (where you play as that fielder the whole time), I don't know how much improvement there can be.

Online play was horrid, and needs to be fixed. I could take or leave franchise improvements, personally.
shortstop

I've heard complaints and suggestions for this franchise since WS2k3. If one day they managed to please everyone they deserve a nobel prize. Every time they add one feature, someone else complains about it. Every time they pull something people complain about that. It always gets compared unfavorably to MVP 2005 for some reason, but that game had it's problems too. I hated the hitting meter, and I didn't find the "hitter's eye" feature that usable.

I thought 2k8 was awesome from a single player standpoint. I loved the pitching, and it sounds like they might be simplifying it too much. The hitting could use some minor improvement, but it wasn't that bad. Fielding is probably the most difficult thing for a game to do well, and for me it's fine. I'm not sure what people want out of it. Whatever happens, you're still in the situation of switching instantly from a pitching interface to a field view trying to snag a fast grounder, then get a quick throw off. Short of having playable fielders (where you play as that fielder the whole time), I don't know how much improvement there can be.

Online play was horrid, and needs to be fixed. I could take or leave franchise improvements, personally.
dahc

Pasta,
Work you magic and find out about Miller/Morgan announcing team. I'm from Cincy, I love Joe Morgan but they are brutal in this game.

One other thing, the trading cards drive me nuts. There are probably tons of classic stadiums and teams that I will never see on 2K8 because I dont have 3 hours a day to play the game.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

I agree…The team from The Show sound much more natural. Joe and Jon, which I enjoy, are downright dull in this game and never comment on past events (hitting streaks, previous game stats, etc.)…The Show is much deeper..

dahc

Pasta,
Work you magic and find out about Miller/Morgan announcing team. I'm from Cincy, I love Joe Morgan but they are brutal in this game.

One other thing, the trading cards drive me nuts. There are probably tons of classic stadiums and teams that I will never see on 2K8 because I dont have 3 hours a day to play the game.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Skihawks Skihawks

I agree…The team from The Show sound much more natural. Joe and Jon, which I enjoy, are downright dull in this game and never comment on past events (hitting streaks, previous game stats, etc.)…The Show is much deeper..