Publisher: EA Sports Developer: EA Canada Genre: Sports ESRB: Everyone Online?: Yes Release: Spring Price: 49.99 Boxart:

Last year's version of MVP Baseball was quite possible the best and most fun sports games ever made, so how can EA come back and make it even better? Well the good thing is there was some major bugs in last year's version but as you know EA Sports likes to fix bugs and of course add a lot of new features.

So far all of last year's bugs have been confirmed to be fixed. CPU Stealing, CPU "superman catches", CPU warming pitchers up way too early, player progression (wasn't based on performance), only two types of minor league teams (now all 3 are in the game), left HR bug (lefties didn't hit it out as often as righties and not as long) and several other bugs in the game. With that said let's get to the new stuff!

# The Hitter's Eye: Brand-new abilities, like Read the Pitch and Swing Analysis, help hitters see the ball like never before.
# Own the Plate: Change your position in the box to adjust to where the pitcher is working you, or keep the defense honest with a bunt for a hit.
# Precision Pitching: Paint the corners or send a message with the new Precision Pitch Meter, or catch runners napping with unparalleled pickoff control.
# Enhanced Big Play Control: Make an underhand toss to the pitcher as he sprints to cover first, slide around a tag at home, and make user-controlled stretches and dives.
# Build an Empire: Control every aspect of your organization in all-new Owner Mode. Create your line-up based on player progression during Spring Training, or help build player attributes by competing in a variety of mini-games.
# All-New Create Ballpark: Build a pitcher’s paradise or a hitter’s dream as you deck out your custom park.
# Expanded Minor Leagues: Advanced Single A squads and more stadiums round out a robust minor league system.

And if that's not enough many new animations are making it into the game so that the game runs smoother. Lastly for those that had framerate problems last year with the XBOX version, EA has said that has been fixed but unfortunately base coaches will not make it into the game so that MVP 05 runs smooth at all times.

Although not out for about 3 weeks, without a doubt I can say that anyone that is a baseball videogame fan or a fan of the MVP series, watch out for this one. Expect an updated preview near release.

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