MVP 06 NCAA Baseball

Developer EA Canada did a worthwhile job in making this year's version of MVP stand out.

In response to EA eating up the NFL license until the virtual end of time, Take 2 fired back and snagged the rights to all things MLB, forcing EA to look elsewhere for baseball. So, with no A Rods or Jeters, EA went with the next best thing: college.

So, going from perhaps the most glamorous sport of metrosexuals and through-the-roof salaries to the NCAA baseball league of no names and nobodies, is not an easy transition. But developer EA Canada did a worthwhile job in making this year's version of MVP stand out, even if there is a still a great deal of redone material.

Aluminum Is Better Than Wood
But, hey, the demotion to college ain't all bad. With it, we get more poppy aluminum bats and a smorgasbord of college teams, along with NCAA tournament brackets and 18 authentic college ballparks. And, of course, it wouldn't be another EA Sports' iteration without a patented new control system.

This year, the control upgrade comes in the names of Load and Fire Batting System and Precision Throwing Control. Batting works by preloading the analog stick back, and then moving it forward in one fluid motion as the pitch arrives, while Precision Throwing challenges you to aptly hold down the right analog stick in the direction of the appropriate base, with execution affecting accuracy. While both systems take a little getting used to, you'll most likely find each a much-needed update, like the three-click to analog swing golf transition.

Another Tweak or Two
Other noticeable gameplay differences are simply cosmetic, such as the pitching camera being moved behind the mound and a touted ESPN broadcast style presentation, but the rest of the in-game controls are generally the same as MVP 2005. Players are either nameless or randomly generated, and game modes follow the typical EA exhibition, dynasty, and mini-game format. And while you may find it tough to shell out fifty for another baseball season, there is an added bit of pride of getting behind the old college crew. Go Gauchos!-Mr. Marbles

Key Moment: Reliving your failed dreams of college-baseball glory

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