PS3 News: MLB 09: The Show: Even More Visually Sparkling Than MLB 08 - PS3 News

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MLB 09: The Show: Even More Visually Sparkling Than MLB 08

We awarded MLB 08: The Show the Best Sports Game of 2008, and while it was a difficult decision (the competition was stiff), it's still a prestigious honor in our eyes. What's more, we believe this year's entry could very easily snag the award yet again.

More and more information continues to come to light, and the latest revolves around the impending game's visual capability. The DigitalFoundry blog has many compare-and-contrast screens up, featuring the differences between MLB 09 and its predecessor. Now, while last year's effort was indeed impressive, this year's will push the boundaries once more: not only will we have native 1080p support, but the game will actually run at a silky smooth 60 frames per second while viewing that resolution. In comparison, MLB 08 only ran at 30fps in 1080p. The article mentions other drawbacks in last year's installment, too, including depth of field, which is "retained and improved in both 720p and 1080p modes on the new game." You can also see a marked improvement in the crowd rendering, with a significant dose of added detail and clarity. The crowd already was pretty damn amazing in MLB 08, but the developers aren't sitting back and churning out another rehash. Oh no, they're steadily working to deliver the single best baseball simulator in history and at this rate...well, it looks like it's gonna happen.

We're excited about this, because it seems to have been a loooong time since we've had a baseball sim that's worthy of such praise and general attention. It's unfortunate that it will always be in the shadow of Madden, but the informed readers should be well aware by now: The Show is an absolute must for sports fans.

Related Game(s): MLB 09: The Show

2/9/2009 Ben Dutka

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Comments (44 posts)

ArnoldK PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 10:51:00 AM
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It's amazing just how much Sony manages to improve every MLB game. Yes, MLB 09 is indeed extremely good looking.

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Qubex
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 10:54:24 AM
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Well, its good to see optimised code pumping out 1080p visuals at 60fps. "Next Generation" is just that... HD visuals, compelling game mechanics and decent IP to support it all... let us hope we see more of the PS3 technology being pushed to its limits!

Q!

"i aM hOMe"

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Zorigo
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 11:10:05 AM

GT5.
i needn't say any more.

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Frenchy17
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 11:02:27 AM
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This game looks amazing! I was playing the demo the other day and my roommate came in and said he thought I was watching a real baseball game. I cant wait for this one!

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Qubex
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 11:05:03 AM

Hmm, is the demo out!!! I never saw it ...on the US strore; hmm, yes?

Q!

"i Am hOMe"

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javon_27
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 11:03:35 AM
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not a sports fan, but i definitely drooled over the mlb 08 demo last year

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Zorigo
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 11:09:08 AM
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it's just a shame i don't give a damn about baseball games

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dlte
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 11:10:57 AM
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Gonna be sick

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HOODGE
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 11:12:25 AM
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I tried out the demo and just like Frenchy says it looks like a real baseball game off of tv. It really is that stunning. Facial animations are so real. Movement is so fluid with no slowdown. Best looking Sports title in my mind I've ever seen to date. Wish these guys could make hockey and football games as well. Give EA a kick in the pants I tell you. PS3 just keeps on getting prettier and prettier. Can you imagine a few years from now where we will be? I can't even imagine!!

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jaybiv
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 11:21:55 AM
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Did you say native 1080p & 60 fps??? March 3, cannot come fast enough.

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Itdoesntmatter
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 11:29:19 AM
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Best sports franchise in video gaming by far...the road to the show mode is ALL i do in this game...it has replaced the franchise mode for me

Road to the show mode isnt perfect but its definetly extremely addicting and entertaining...

Its a shame there are still some out there that see this like "eh, just another baseball game" and cant decide between this and the absolutely atrocious mlb 2k series...its no contest folks, it really isnt

This game should sell more than just 620k copies..of courss, good Sony exclusive also means zero advertising

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Frenchy17
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 11:58:27 AM

Totally agree with you Docpain, only thing I hope they fix in the Road to the Show mode is the number of foul balls the computer hits while you are on base. I am always on base (due to being a stud!) and they seem to hit like 10 foul balls in a row sometimes. Other than that, I love that mode. I am still playing it as a matter of fact.

They have online leagues this year, so if enough people are interested, we could start a PSX league. I posted in forums about it but haven't seen much interest yet.

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javon_27
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 12:13:38 PM

but isn't that how baseball is in real life?

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Itdoesntmatter
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 12:46:52 PM

Yeah but waiting on the basepaths (especially in scoring position where the option to steal is not a good idea) got tedious after a while...ideally, you want to include only the fun stuff from real life in video games, and leave out the boring stuff

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Scarecrow
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 2:13:55 PM

You said it bro!
MLB The Show has taken the lead when it comes to sports games!

Best sports game, period!

It's good to see that PSXE recognizes this compared to other sites who probably get paid by EA to make it seem as if Madden's the best.

Played the demo and I'm telling you, I've never seen a baseball game look THIS good.

The emotions on the player's faces is amazing! Overall it's like watching the very same players. Jimmy Rollins acts and looks JUST like him for example.

On the gameplay side it's been the best when it comes to baseball. Smooth pitching, swinging which looks and feels very real. And the fielding is very real in terms of really FIELDING the ball.

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Itdoesntmatter
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 4:04:52 PM

Yeah people still think Madden is cream of the crop because of the name and they have the financial freedom to advertise as much as they want...The most advertised games almost always get the most sales. Advertisement of the game is more important to people than actual quality, I guess?

Some PS3 owners still haven't played Uncharted and LBP, some haven't even heard of them...lol, how sad

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Itdoesntmatter
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 12:04:03 PM
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Its a big shame most people dont even know what Road to the Show mode is...evenp people who buy the game just dive into franchise mode without blinking once...Road to the Show could easily be a big advertising selling point but Sony won't take advantage of that

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Frenchy17
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 12:09:07 PM

I actually remember seeing a commercial advertising that mode, but I see what you are saying. They could have done a lot more.

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Itdoesntmatter
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 12:06:24 PM
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@Frenchy

Yeah i know what you mean, being on base for long AI at-bats...good thing this year, the developer's give us the option to skip it

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Frenchy17
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 12:09:59 PM

yeah but I like to steal bases, its actually fun trying to run at the right time without getting picked off.

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Itdoesntmatter
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 12:36:53 PM

Me too, the steals are fun...but this year they are giving us multiple options on how to skip them...by only giving us very few, only when you are lead runner, and skip all...not exactly sure but i know there's not just a simple on/off for baserunning

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Frenchy17
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 3:18:21 PM

very good to know!

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Geobaldi
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 9:43:04 PM

Stealing bases is great but they need to make it more realistic. It was way to easy to steal bases in last years version. Even my super slow catcher could steal second just about every time I tried.

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Itdoesntmatter
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 9:57:13 PM

It feels easy because the success rate for most base runners in real life is very high...you should be able to make it 70-80% of the time...below that is a horrible number in real life... Being successful 7-8 outta 10 times in a video game will make it seem like it's too easy
Last edited by Itdoesntmatter on 2/9/2009 9:58:46 PM

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Geobaldi
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 @ 11:35:12 PM

Yeah I know, but when your rookie catcher, who probably finish a whole mouthful of sunflower seeds before he reaches the base, has over 40 stolen bases at the end of the year, something is totally unbalanced there. Especially if the league leader has 173!!

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convergecrew
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 12:19:32 PM
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08 was an amazing game..Im pretty excited to see 09 if its supposed to be even better. And Frenchy, there are all kinds of baserunning options in RTTS now, like you can choose when you wanna baserun and when you dont. Sounds awesome.

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Powershifter
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 1:11:03 PM
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I may need to trade my 08 in for 09. I think I'm going to wait for some reviews though. 08 is good, with fairly solid game play. There has been times when my short stop would lob the ball (underhanded) as slow as he possibly could to second baseman, which totally ruined the double play. There's a few other quirks which I'm sure you've experienced - but even if 09 still has all those minor quirks, the ability to record any play and save it to my hard drive is just awesome. Oh and I love the idea of giving the players custom music while they walk up to the batters box.

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Prevent
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 1:12:51 PM
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after Kz2 im defitnetly getting mlb 09... i guess i have to keep playing 08 till it comes out =/

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Scarecrow
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 2:14:16 PM
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Another great reason for ALL baseball fans to get the ps3 over 360

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BikerSaint
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 2:43:26 PM
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@Scarecrow,
Thumbs up to you, Rollins, & my PHILLIES..... "WORLD SERIES CHAMPS"!

(BTW, we just got Ron Howard re-signed too)
Last edited by BikerSaint on 2/9/2009 2:44:24 PM

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Geobaldi
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 9:47:26 PM

Ron Howard? Didn't know he made movies AND played baseball lol

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dveisalive
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 3:05:12 PM
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mlb the show is the continuation of mlb etc.. i had everyone from ps1 to ps3 cause this is the best baseball sim out there PERIOD!

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heyface
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 3:05:44 PM
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madden is a terrible franchise. 2k are far better football games. nfl2k3 for example..on dreamcast.

i downloaded the demo for mlb 09- i have ps3- ive played that demo countless times..the game is amazing. as far as sport games are concerned. i never play them and dont own a single one. ill be buying mlb 09 for sure. so sony hit a home run with this one, imo. pun unintended
Last edited by heyface on 2/9/2009 3:09:43 PM

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Geobaldi
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 9:45:26 PM

I totally agree. The NFL2K series was a way more believable, and fun game than Madden ever was. Madden may look better but graphics isn't what it's all about.

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dveisalive
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 3:14:05 PM
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i dont mean to start a rude debate, but I have a feeling that all of the long bombers who put 40-70 homeruns a season are all on steroids now! I think Ryan Howard, Albert Puljols, maybee even Manny Ramirez are on roids just think about, I use to think that A-rod was natural until he admitted taking roids from 01-03 etc... I think the commissioner should get fired, for he messed up my favorite sport, and america's favorrite pastime, but anyways MLB 09 the show needs to add homerun derby

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Schmitty
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 3:47:44 PM

yay relevance

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Itdoesntmatter
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 4:15:56 PM

They should add steroid suppliers in road to the show so you can be a superstar faster...should make it one of the trophies...it makes it more realistic lol

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Geobaldi
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 9:48:14 PM

Think that'll be included in the MLB Blitz game :)

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Itdoesntmatter
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 9:59:57 PM

lol that's why they made that new baseball game, the Bigs

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dlte
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 4:02:41 PM
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This just makes me want to play 08 now.

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packersfan66
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 4:16:02 PM
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so it imroves it in 720p and 1080p. what about 1080i?

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Bill_Clinton_
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 6:05:29 PM
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the first thing i notice about mlb the show 2009 was the lighting and the colors... its amazing how they have had improve the game.. this is hands down the best sports game out.. EA should take a page out sony's book as far as how to keep a sports great without making drastic changes to the game..

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ec0li
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 6:59:09 PM
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I can't wait to get this game. LETS GO METS!

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Itdoesntmatter
Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 7:23:17 PM
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Mets choke in MLB the show 09 too, just like real life

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