#3 of 2009: MLB 09 The Show

by pastapadre
Posted December 30th, 2009 at 1:37 pm

The ranking of games in the best of 2009 list is based primarily on the personal amount of enjoyment had with a particular title. Some other factors include whether advertised features were fully delivered on, post-release support, community interaction and communication, overall gameplay experience, feature set, and online play performance. Again this is a personal take on the games. The analysis is weighted largely towards those which I had the most fun with while considering them as a whole and compared relatively to the others.

SCEA’s MLB The Show series has become one of, if not the most beloved sports franchise this generation. Some of that arises from the mystique of being PS3 exclusive though it is primarily based on offering the most true representation of a sport. Poor online performance has been the crutch holding the series back and that continued once again with MLB 09: The Show. Still for everything it excels at offline The Show was able to somewhat offset that making it one of the best and most consistent games this year.

Ask anyone what is great about MLB 09: The Show and the first thing mentioned will likely be a blanket statement about “gameplay” followed by “authenticity”. The Show is a definition of a simulation and provides the feel of being in the ballpark. It completely respects the fans of the sport and that resonates with gamers.

While MLB 09 didn’t add a whole lot in the way of features it properly enhanced the overall experience and what it did add worked well. The most stunning change was graphically where the improved lighting made it one of the best looking games this generation. The pitching meter was adjusted making it more of a challenge to spot pitches. The screenshot feature (actually is a PS3 feature that is activated for The Show) worked extremely well too.

Unfortunately it was another year of sub-par online play. For some, including myself, it was basically unplayable. The lag made the ball appear as though it was jumping on the way to the plate. Oftentimes you wouldn’t even see the bat swing, the swing would display late, or it would double-swing. That made it near impossible to know whether you were early or late for the sake of making adjustments. Check swings were absent in online games which really hurt and allowing “Guess Pitch” is a mistake for ranked games.

Meanwhile pitchers didn’t experience any timing issues which really made things unbalanced. The difficulty in timing swings turned online games into a competition of who would luck out and hit the most solo home runs. That way of thinking in itself is the opposite of what The Show prides itself on. Check out my full detailed online play impressions here.

Outside of the online play it is the frustratingly slow loading times cited as the biggest issue. This is something that has kept me from fully realizing the full potential of Road to the Show mode. More time is spent loading than actually actively playing. The time from booting to get to the menu is very long as is loading in and out of any games.

Notice though that the majority of any complaints about The Show are not gameplay related. For me it is primarily the online play performance and loading times. Both of those things could be improved on but then again they were issues in previous years that still have not been corrected. Hope is there for them to be better this year but at this point I won’t believe it until I see it.

Road to the Show advertised some enhancements but none that really stood out to me. What I was thankful for was being able to skip the instances when on the base paths. Base running is incredibly tedious and boring and not just that but the camera was broken making it completely frustrating. The slow load times are what especially damages this mode for me. Still it is where I spend the majority of my offline time and I do have fun with it.

While SCEA deserves credit for their usual community interaction and customer support they did release a patch this year that broke any Franchise or RTTS that was in progress forcing consumers to start them over. This was two months after release meaning many people were deep into those modes. The way they handled the situation was especially disappointing. They essentially avoided recognizing the issue by refusing to comment on it and never did pull the patch or fix it with a follow-up.

MLB 09: The Show was a fantastic game that had only a few glaring flaws. Sales were up significantly over the previous year proving that gameplay quality and reputation for just that will resonate with everyone and not just the “hardcore” crowd it attempts to respect. Still the online play experience continues to prevent The Show from reaching a level of greatness that it has been on the cusp of for a few years.

#3: MLB 09 The Show
#4: FIFA 10
#5: The BIGS 2
#6: NBA Live 10
#7: Madden Arcade
#8: NCAA Football 10
#9: NBA 2K10
#10: Fight Night Round 4
The Worst of 2009

Tags: top 10, year in review

http://www.shorthandedstudio.com/ John Holcomb

Yay! Using the Royals as the image is awesome! Now if only they could play as good as this game
http://www.shorthandedstudio.com John Holcomb

Yay! Using the Royals as the image is awesome! Now if only they could play as good as this game
james caldwell

i cant wait to see what two are going ahead of MLB THE SHOW because they have better online play LOL
james caldwell

i cant wait to see what two are going ahead of MLB THE SHOW because they have better online play LOL
Pat McNeil

The PastaPadre ranking percentage

75% – Online Play
20% – Is it an EA Sports game?
5% – Gameplay

I

James

Anyone who's visited this site more than once knows that Pastas decisions on a good game rely heavily on the online play…. that's why The Show is #3 and not #1 (although it's #1 on most peoples lists).
http://www.facebook.com/jimmie.rutledge Jimmie Rutledge

Yeah, Pasta is all about good online modes and passable offline modes.

EA owns about 80-90% of all the sports games out there, so it shouldn't surprise you to see mostly EA games on this list or anyone's list.

However, if you read his justifications, and based upon his criteria he does justify his selections.

Pat McNeil

The PastaPadre ranking percentage

75% – Online Play
20% – Is it an EA Sports game?
5% – Gameplay

I

James

Anyone who's visited this site more than once knows that Pastas decisions on a good game rely heavily on the online play…. that's why The Show is #3 and not #1 (although it's #1 on most peoples lists).
http://www.facebook.com/jimmie.rutledge Jimmie Rutledge

Yeah, Pasta is all about good online modes and passable offline modes.

EA owns about 80-90% of all the sports games out there, so it shouldn't surprise you to see mostly EA games on this list or anyone's list.

However, if you read his justifications, and based upon his criteria he does justify his selections.

xX L Boogie Xx

Good with this at 3. Hope its worthy of a higher ranking after MLB 10 next year. MY top two would be Madden and Tiger Woods and not in any certain order i played them both about the same amount. Doubt Tiger will make Pastas list or that its even on his radar but I really enjoyed it.

http://intensedebate.com/people/sroeland sroeland

Tiger Woods for 360 or PS3 was essentially the same game it's been for a few years. A few nice improvements, but the AI scoring logic in Career Mode is messed up…Anthony Kim won the US Open at Bethpage with -29. That is simply ridiculous. I think it could be a top 10 game – probably better than Madden Arcade.

Madden does not deserve to be in the top 5 IMO…improved over 09, but still not where it should be. Presentation is not up to snuff, Franchise mode is a bore once again. And Online Franchise needs work, too.

Madden is Top 10, but it shouldn't be in the top 5.

xX L Boogie Xx

Like i said MY top two would be Madden and Tiger, Sorry dude you cant talk me out of what I enjoyed with my own expierence. And I could honestly care less what you think about MY top games. When we colaborate and make a sroeland and xX L Boogie Xx top ten sports games list then maybe ill care what you have to say. Until then Madden and Tiger ARE in MY top 5.

http://intensedebate.com/people/sroeland sroeland

Cool!
http://intensedebate.com/people/Mo_Diddley Mo_Diddley

lol at sroeland trying to tell you who to put in your own personal top 5

xX L Boogie Xx

Good with this at 3. Hope its worthy of a higher ranking after MLB 10 next year. MY top two would be Madden and Tiger Woods and not in any certain order i played them both about the same amount. Doubt Tiger will make Pastas list or that its even on his radar but I really enjoyed it.

http://intensedebate.com/people/sroeland sroeland

Tiger Woods for 360 or PS3 was essentially the same game it's been for a few years. A few nice improvements, but the AI scoring logic in Career Mode is messed up…Anthony Kim won the US Open at Bethpage with -29. That is simply ridiculous. I think it could be a top 10 game – probably better than Madden Arcade.

Madden does not deserve to be in the top 5 IMO…improved over 09, but still not where it should be. Presentation is not up to snuff, Franchise mode is a bore once again. And Online Franchise needs work, too.

Madden is Top 10, but it shouldn't be in the top 5.

xX L Boogie Xx

Like i said MY top two would be Madden and Tiger, Sorry dude you cant talk me out of what I enjoyed with my own expierence. And I could honestly care less what you think about MY top games. When we colaborate and make a sroeland and xX L Boogie Xx top ten sports games list then maybe ill care what you have to say. Until then Madden and Tiger ARE in MY top 5.

http://intensedebate.com/people/sroeland sroeland

Cool!
http://intensedebate.com/people/Mo_Diddley Mo_Diddley

lol at sroeland trying to tell you who to put in your own personal top 5

BCEAGLES

PASTA is ridiculous if he puts madden10 ahead of MLB09 the show!!!!! The top 3 games in 2009 were 1. MLB09 the show 2. NHL09 3.UFC2009

Hes a Joke if he puts UFC09 ahead of Mlb09 the show because he said MLB09 the show ranked number 3 and not 1 because of terrible online play. Well UFC09 had even worse online play then MLB09 the show AND UFC09's Career mode was a repetitive JOKE!!!!

Madden09 was a JOKE and madden10 was even more of a JOKE with all the BULLISH hype IAN CUMMINGS spewed out of his lips!!!!

HAHAHAHA Pat McNeil was right

The PastaPadre ranking percentage guide for number 1 spot LOL

75%-Online Play
20%- Is it an EA Sports game?
5%- Gameplay
BCEAGLES

PASTA is ridiculous if he puts madden10 ahead of MLB09 the show!!!!! The top 3 games in 2009 were 1. MLB09 the show 2. NHL09 3.UFC2009

Hes a Joke if he puts UFC09 ahead of Mlb09 the show because he said MLB09 the show ranked number 3 and not 1 because of terrible online play. Well UFC09 had even worse online play then MLB09 the show AND UFC09's Career mode was a repetitive JOKE!!!!

Madden09 was a JOKE and madden10 was even more of a JOKE with all the BULLISH hype IAN CUMMINGS spewed out of his lips!!!!

HAHAHAHA Pat McNeil was right

The PastaPadre ranking percentage guide for number 1 spot LOL

75%-Online Play
20%- Is it an EA Sports game?
5%- Gameplay
Keith.

It's pretty sickening when you look at how much Ian Cumming and the other guys from EA are twittering back and forth with Pasta and the mods from OS.

I can understand Pasta and the OS mods wanting free swag, free trips to EA headquarters, etc., but it reeks of bias, especially when crap like Madden Arcarde and NBA Live end up ranked higher than NBA2k10, and junk like Madden gets the #1 game nod over the clearly superior Show.

I realize it's Pasta's site, but that's like saying PAYOLA in the radio industry is okay, since it's the owner's radio station.

Sell out.

AmenRa

As far as OS go'es those dudes are a bunch of fags. Ian is a pretty coold dude but he put too much on his shoulders and couldn't deliver. First he said Madden 10 would be the bomb then he said with until '11. either way I got respect for that dude for even trying to take Madden to the level.

Where it becomes disheartening is when people who are "supposed" to be neutral like Pasta and OS start catering to the developers and banning those who don't conform. Then they become some Internet Game commentary Fascists LOL. Fucking losers. Look ho wfar all that ass-kissing got NBA Live…STRAIGHT UP LAYING BRICKS IN SALES!!!!

Keith.

It's pretty sickening when you look at how much Ian Cumming and the other guys from EA are twittering back and forth with Pasta and the mods from OS.

I can understand Pasta and the OS mods wanting free swag, free trips to EA headquarters, etc., but it reeks of bias, especially when crap like Madden Arcarde and NBA Live end up ranked higher than NBA2k10, and junk like Madden gets the #1 game nod over the clearly superior Show.

I realize it's Pasta's site, but that's like saying PAYOLA in the radio industry is okay, since it's the owner's radio station.

Sell out.

AmenRa

As far as OS go'es those dudes are a bunch of fags. Ian is a pretty coold dude but he put too much on his shoulders and couldn't deliver. First he said Madden 10 would be the bomb then he said with until '11. either way I got respect for that dude for even trying to take Madden to the level.

Where it becomes disheartening is when people who are "supposed" to be neutral like Pasta and OS start catering to the developers and banning those who don't conform. Then they become some Internet Game commentary Fascists LOL. Fucking losers. Look ho wfar all that ass-kissing got NBA Live…STRAIGHT UP LAYING BRICKS IN SALES!!!!

bob

I was playing the show a couple days ago, in the middle of december, and my brother who is 21 thought it was real and thought it was an ESPN classic or something fromt this year-and he was like "why are the graphics so good?????" -hard to believe this didn't get number 1-i guess number one and two have to be a game we never heard about cause i haven't seen a better sports game
bob

I was playing the show a couple days ago, in the middle of december, and my brother who is 21 thought it was real and thought it was an ESPN classic or something fromt this year-and he was like "why are the graphics so good?????" -hard to believe this didn't get number 1-i guess number one and two have to be a game we never heard about cause i haven't seen a better sports game
AmenRa

As far as OS goes those dudes are a bunch of fags. Ian is a pretty coold dude but he put too much on his shoulders and couldn't deliver. First he said Madden 10 would be the bomb then he said with until '11. either way I got respect for that dude for even trying to take Madden to the level.

Where it becomes disheartening is when people who are "supposed" to be neutral like Pasta and OS start catering to the developers and banning those who don't conform. Then they become some Internet Game commentary Fascists LOL. Fucking losers. Look how far all that ass-kissing got NBA Live…STRAIGHT UP LAYING BRICKS IN SALES!!!!
AmenRa

As far as OS goes those dudes are a bunch of fags. Ian is a pretty coold dude but he put too much on his shoulders and couldn't deliver. First he said Madden 10 would be the bomb then he said with until '11. either way I got respect for that dude for even trying to take Madden to the level.

Where it becomes disheartening is when people who are "supposed" to be neutral like Pasta and OS start catering to the developers and banning those who don't conform. Then they become some Internet Game commentary Fascists LOL. Fucking losers. Look how far all that ass-kissing got NBA Live…STRAIGHT UP LAYING BRICKS IN SALES!!!!
stephen

actually Ian left OS forums, he was tired of all the constant battering and bad attitudes about him and his staff, and how the game wasn't the best they've ever seen…

lol

Awe what a cry baby. Then make a better game. 2K5 is still better gameplay and presentation.

stephen

actually Ian left OS forums, he was tired of all the constant battering and bad attitudes about him and his staff, and how the game wasn't the best they've ever seen…

lol

Awe what a cry baby. Then make a better game. 2K5 is still better gameplay and presentation.

Keith.

That Ian dude is such a crybaby. After he failed to deliver on a bunch of promises and people started calling him out, he took his ball and went home like a little girl.

I'll bet a lot fewer people will be willing to buy the hype this year. Fool me once…

lol

THIS!!!!!!!

Keith.

That Ian dude is such a crybaby. After he failed to deliver on a bunch of promises and people started calling him out, he took his ball and went home like a little girl.

I'll bet a lot fewer people will be willing to buy the hype this year. Fool me once…

lol

THIS!!!!!!!

lol

And to add hate 2K games.
lol

And to add hate 2K games.
Masta Madre

Pasta is high because either NHL, Madden or FN4 will not make this list….and NCAA does? Pasta get grip.
Masta Madre

Pasta is high because either NHL, Madden or FN4 will not make this list….and NCAA does? Pasta get grip.
Joe F

Who didn't see this coming?
Joe F

Who didn't see this coming?
Haywood Jublome

wonder if Pasta has read all these comments >_>
Haywood Jublome

wonder if Pasta has read all these comments >_>
Jason

oh cmon….if the show is on here, 2k has gotta be on here….haha jk
Jason

oh cmon….if the show is on here, 2k has gotta be on here….haha jk
SDwinder

No one is a bigger fan of The Show 09 than me, but with the online play lacking so much, it doesn't get a #1 until fixed. I want a Pitcher view when pitching online too. Can't wait for the Classic stadiums this year.

NHL 10 is a great game all around period and deserves to be at the top of the list, even though improvement over 09 was minimal. I got Madden 10 recently and it is a HUGE improvement in so many ways over 09. I can see this being at the top because of the effort and execution behind it. If you take a look online, you will see that Madden 10 is very popular this year, and for good reason. I remember the guys at EA Madden giving kudos to Sony San Diego studios for their job on The Show 09 earlier in 2009 and stating that they were going to school on it for Madden 10. I see much of that in Madden 10. This is the first Madden next gen that really stood out and slowing down the gameplay was brilliant. When I go back and play Madden 09, it seems very spastic now.

UFC doesnt do it for me. Keep it off the Top 10. I am a big fan of Fight Night though, and I love the analog controls.
SDwinder

No one is a bigger fan of The Show 09 than me, but with the online play lacking so much, it doesn't get a #1 until fixed. I want a Pitcher view when pitching online too. Can't wait for the Classic stadiums this year.

NHL 10 is a great game all around period and deserves to be at the top of the list, even though improvement over 09 was minimal. I got Madden 10 recently and it is a HUGE improvement in so many ways over 09. I can see this being at the top because of the effort and execution behind it. If you take a look online, you will see that Madden 10 is very popular this year, and for good reason. I remember the guys at EA Madden giving kudos to Sony San Diego studios for their job on The Show 09 earlier in 2009 and stating that they were going to school on it for Madden 10. I see much of that in Madden 10. This is the first Madden next gen that really stood out and slowing down the gameplay was brilliant. When I go back and play Madden 09, it seems very spastic now.

UFC doesnt do it for me. Keep it off the Top 10. I am a big fan of Fight Night though, and I love the analog controls.
James

Yea it's comical to head over at OS and look at all the earlier posts with Ian interacting and talking with everyone over @ OS. Then the game released and people realized he was full of shit then started calling him out, now it's like he's an OS ghost.
James

Yea it's comical to head over at OS and look at all the earlier posts with Ian interacting and talking with everyone over @ OS. Then the game released and people realized he was full of shit then started calling him out, now it's like he's an OS ghost.
Joe Form

Come on people—this guy has the gall to put MADDEN ARCADE at #7. Where did you expect Madden 10 to be?
Joe Form

Come on people—this guy has the gall to put MADDEN ARCADE at #7. Where did you expect Madden 10 to be?
Jeff

Best sports game of the year. Hands down.

What type of gameplay is going to overrule online play? I don't get it.
Jeff

Best sports game of the year. Hands down.

What type of gameplay is going to overrule online play? I don't get it.
http://vibramshoesonline.com/ vibram fivefingers

I really like this type of Merchandise too, can you help me look at which one has higher price point? http://vibramshoesonline.com/