MVP 07 NCAA Baseball

Does it matter if the players in a baseball video game are recognizable? Does a game need a professional player to do his thing in front of a green screen just to capture his signature moves?

Personally, I don't believe so, and the latest version of MVP NCAA baseball just proves further that you can use randomly generated players so long as the gameplay is solid.

Hey Batta' Batta'

As with last year's MVP title, pitching and batting are the name of the game. Your accuracy depends on your ability to successfully sync up a pitch's wind-up, release and follow-through. Batting operates similarly: You use the analog stick to simulate a real swing. Pull back when anticipating a pitch and push forward to make contact.

Fielding also feels like the real thing, in that there is a lot of waiting involved. When a ball is finally hit, the player nearest to it falls automatically under your control. Precision throwing uses the analog stick to direct where the ball is going--tap right to throw to first, up to second and so on. Just keep in mind that if tap is off center, the throw can go wild. In the heat of a big play, it's easy to forget how throwing works and toss the ball over the first baseman's head.

New players should start out on the freshman difficulty, as sophomore and junior modes are pretty challenging. The game also features a Dynasty Mode, which is good for gamers want to settle in for the long haul. You can choose and manage a team on and off the field, allowing you the ability to delve into the finer points of the game including scouting for fresh meat to fill out your rosters.

The Game Within A Game

MVP 07 also comes with some mini games that are worth mentioning. Home Run Showdown pits you side by side with the computer or a friend to see who has better batting chops. Classic Batting is a game that challenges you to hit the ball to a certain place in a certain way for points. Score enough and move on to the next round. The best part is that each game can help improving your skills.

Because this is a PS2 game, the graphics didn't exactly blow me away, but they're serviceable. The playing fields are flat and lack detail, but grass is grass, right? Player movements are more fluid than in past games, which is a welcome upgrade. I also liked the presence of the college marching band music, but after a while, I had to turn the volume way down. And much like any other title that features commentators, the dialogue quickly becomes repetitive and boring.

The most important aspect of any baseball video game is the controls, and while those found in MVP 07 will test your patience at times, they ultimately add to the overall experience. Those who'd rather play as steroid-injecting hulks with billion dollar contracts can try the major league baseball games; for me, college is where the real action is.

Pros: Solid pitching/batting mechanic. Entertaining mini-games.
Cons: Dull graphics and audio presentation.

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