MLB 09: The Show

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Baseball simulation offers incredibly realistic experience.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a sports simulation based on Major League Baseball. Players control their favorite teams for individual games, and can even guide them through an entire season. Ads from baseball related companies such as Upper Deck are displayed throughout stadiums. The game is also playable online, a feature Common Sense Media does not recommend for children under the age of 12.

  • Players create their own athlete and guide him through the minor leagues into the majors.
  • Not applicable.
  • Not applicable.

What's it about?

Spring training has arrived, which means the return of the national pasttime to the video game realm. This season's star is Sony's MLB 09: THE SHOW, an incredibly deep Major League Baseball simulation. Players can take control of their favorite MLB team and lead them to victory in exhibition games, or guide them through entire seasons. Franchise Mode allows players to manage teams more closely, performing tasks ranging from signing new players to planning stadium promotions.

Since this is a game released yearly, the core mechanics of the game remain intact, but MLB 09 adds some interesting features to help players improved their skills. After each at-bat, players can click on the left analog stick to view the timing and approach in their previous swing through a small chart. The Road to the Show incorporates additional training features as well. For those unfamiliar with the franchise, Road to the Show also lets players create their own athlete and guide him through the minor leagues into the majors. MLB 09 has also introduced online leagues and custom chants players can record and put inside the game.


Is it any good?

 

MLB 09 boasts the most authentic baseball experience available. The presentation is stunning. Players move so fluidly, it would be easy to mistake the virtual athletes for the real thing. Computer-controlled players are challenging both on the mound and inside the batter's box. They mix up their pitches, move swiftly across the field, and exhibit patience while waiting for the ideal pitch to knock out of the park. As a result, each at-bat feels rewarding when you earn that strikeout as a pitcher or slam a homerun.

While MLB 09 doesn't make major changes, smart tweaks have been made to the formula. The bevy of training modes provide a great avenue for new players to learn the game, which can feel complicated if you've never played. The game also adds more ambience compared to previous versions. Crowds jump from their seats to catch foul balls. In Wrigley Field, for example, the signature organ plays in between at-bats. The atmosphere complements the action in terms of creating an incredibly realistic baseball video game.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about how this game compares to the real sport. How accurately does this game capture the sport of baseball? Why is baseball such a popular sport? Did creating your own athlete in this game make you feel more invested in the gameplay?


This review was written by Brett Molina
Teen, 14 years old
August 12, 2009
 
Great for some one who likes baseball
I like a tip in franchise mode if you want players like Babe Ruth get them before you start I have my favorite non active player Lou Gehrig

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Kid, 13 years old
September 7, 2009
 
Best Game Ever!!!!!!
Road to the show is so cool, I got drafted by the mariners for $75,000 in AAA. I am really good when I was in AA I lead the league in WHIP with a 1.04 WHIP and a 2.52 ERA!

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Kid, 12 years old
June 20, 2010
 
For All Ages
I like this game because I think that the announcers use too much criticism but my brothers and I love to watch my dad play it and it is very interesting

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Kid, 13 years old
April 1, 2009
 
GO MLB!
MLB09 isn't much different from MLB08 but there are a couple differences. Number one, in the season and career modes there is now the drafts and waivers. Also all the team logos have been updated and of course new songs (bad ones). That's all!

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This review was written by Brett Molina
Topics:sports and martial arts
Platforms:PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP
Available online?Available online
Genre:Sports
Developer:Sony Computer Entertainment
Release date:March 3, 2009
Price:$59.99
ESRB rating:E for (No Descriptors)

This review was written by Brett Molina

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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