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ESPN Major League Baseball
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 23 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 10 votes
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Game Info
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Visual Concepts - Blue Shift
Genre(s): Sports, Baseball
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: April 6, 2004
Summary
ESPN Major League Baseball raises the bar with Power Pitching, Online Gameplay and a stellar ESPN presentation featuring Jon Miller and Karl Ravech. A new name, a new season, a new way to play! Power Pitching - Take complete control of the mound with new pitches, pitch speeds, pitch interface, pitch animations, pitcher momentum and exclusive ESPN K-Zone pitch analysis. Take Your Game Online - Experience seamless online gameplay for both PlayStation 2 and Xbox. ESPN Presentation - An all-star cast featuring Jon Miller and Karl Ravech delivers insightful game analysis along with everything youd expect from an ESPN Major League Baseball broadcast. Broken Bats and More - Hundreds of new, breakthrough animations including broken bats, mound conferences, on-deck batters, curtain calls, and player reactions. New General Manager Mode - Now youll have to answer to the owners if you cant keep your club running on all cylinders. If you dont make wise decisions, you can get fired by your team or, if successful, be lured away by other teams. Clutch Gameplay - A new momentum meter allows you to tap into the power of your player when you need it most. The Trophy Room - Earn and display trophies by accomplishing in-game goals and surpassing MLB milestones. [ESPN]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: GameSpot Preview Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Playboy
The exclusive first-person-perspective mode is an interesting gimmick, but the online play is what separates this from the minors. [May 2004]
GameZone
I simply can’t give this game as high a score as I did last year (9.3) because not much has changed. While I still think this game is superior to "MVP Baseball," it’s purely because of gameplay.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
The single-player game is beefed up with a tweaked pitching interface and the ability to save games at any time. Its biggest coup over its competition from EA Sports, though, is the ability to play online.
Read Full Review >IGN
Most of the changes were bad, which is why the score is quite a bit lower than last year. So much of Sega's latest feels thrown together. This is a collection of good ideas without a single one being fully realized.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
ESPN's game gives you a nice ground-level view of the action, while its Confidence Meter rises and falls depending on your on-field performance. [16 Apr 2004, p.L2T 19]
Gaming Age
A very, very good game. The only real issue I have with the game overall is that it feels too much like last year’s title. For some that may be a good thing. I just don’t believe the term; if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Read Full Review >Team Xbox
Even though the game boasts online play, better animations, and a more accurate hitting system, it still doesn’t catch up to MVP’s dazzling action and ultra-deep franchise mode. ESPN MLB definitely gets the nod as far as online play goes.
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine
But by releasing the same core game three years running and refusing to incorporate other games' innovations, ESPN is content to take its single, rather than go for extra bases. [Apr 2004, p.75]
GameSpot
Unfortunately, contrary to what Sega Sports would lead you to believe, the first-person setting is more of a gimmick than a playable mode.
Read Full Review >Gamezilla!
It doesn’t do much right in the way of modes, but what it does do correctly it has nearly perfected.
Read Full Review >GamePro
The gameplay is certainly realistic, but overall, the physics of how the ball moves feel a bit floaty at times. In the final analysis, ESPN MLB trails after "MVP Baseball" and "MLB 2005," making it a good choice for those who aren't satisfied with those league leaders. [Apr 2004, p.89]
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
ESPN may lack the innovations and overall polish of "MVP," but it's otherwise a serious contender. [May 2004, p.90]]
Read Full Review >Operation Sports
The on-field aspect of the game is greatly improved, and I get realistic gameplay and accurate results - and that’s about all you can ask for in a game.
Read Full Review >1UP
Its core gameplay mechanic meets, and in some ways excels over, EA's baseball game... and yet, the window-dressing features are all fairly useless compared to MVP's innovative pitch meter and other extras.
Read Full Review >netjak
While this game is far from perfect, if you’re a fan of World Series Baseball or baseball games in general, this purchase is a no-brainer. In fact I’d go so far to say that ESPN Major League Baseball could be the game to beat "MVP Baseball" this season.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
ESPN MLB isn't a bad game at all, but is functionally a step backwards from last year's game and just can't quite keep up with "MVP."
Read Full Review >Game Informer
Without solid pitching and batting interfaces, you can't help become disenchanted by this title's play. I applaud Blue Shift's decision to innovate, but the formula still needs a lot of work. [Apr 2004, p.92]
Read Full Review >Next Level Gaming
I really can't imagine why Blue Shift would go three steps back in the graphics and sound department.
Read Full Review >GamerFeed
MVP seems to capture the feeling of hitting and pitching more realistically, but ESPN is certainly easier to pick-up-and-play.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
Nothing but a spruced up version of last year's "World Series Baseball."
GMR Magazine
Aside from a single heckler who insists that Andruw learn how to spell his name, you only ever hear a light roar—even when the ball is hit. As a result, you simply don't feel all that enthralled.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
Ditching the nauseating first-person camera altogether and instead focusing on delivering a playable behind-the-shoulder fielding cam would also be a good start. This one will be warming up in the bullpen until next year.
Read Full Review >Xbox Nation Magazine
This year's ESPN Major League Baseball seems less polished than its brethren, its new features seem halfhearted at best, and its graphics don't pack the punch they used to.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Zachary S. gave it a 10:
This game is amazing!!!! I love it!!
Jim W. gave it a 10:
What else can I say. They took an already great game and added a few sparkles. Now I dont really care too much for the on-deck circle pic, and the curtian call feature lacks some pizazz, but over all its a great game. They took the best of last year (which was overall gameplay) and added the on-line feature. By far this game has exceeded every expectation i've had.
Dave R. gave it a 9:
ESPN BASEBALL EDGES OUT MVP BY A STRIDE! It's spring time, time for the inevitable smell of fresh grass and baseball fever. This year I expected real improvements from all three contenders. ASB2005, MVP Baseball 2004, and ESPN Baseball. I was surprised in certain areas and disappointed in others. This is the break down of the good and bad. ASB 2005: Nice stadiums, fair crowd representation, great commentary and sound, fair player models and faces, poor gameplay mechanics. Overall 3 out of 5. MVP Baseball 2004: Good stadiums, poor texturing, fair crowd representation, good commentary and sound, excellent player models and 3-D faces, good gameplay mechanics. Overall 4 out of 5. ESPN Baseball: Incredible Stadiums, great crowd representation, good commentary and sound, good player models and faces, excellent gameplay mechanics. Overall 4.5 out of 5. You be the judge for yourself.
Kevin H. gave it a 6:
I am sooo disappointed. I absolutely loved last years game, and this years installment has left me scratching my head. The actual gameplay is still great, but the graphics seem like they are worse than last year. No croud reaction whatsoever. I hit 2 HR's with Joe Young aka Barry Bonds, did a curtain call, and not a peep from the croud (and it was a home game). The extra game modes are half-assed, as are the pitching meter and confidence meter. The just tossed out the same game from last year, added a few nip and tucks, and hoped no one would notice. Online play is cool, but that's about it for this. I hate to say this, but MVP 2004 is much better.
Joe gave it a 5:
I used to be a big fan of the WSB series, but I cant stand this ESPN series. You cant have a single frame with out ESPN being in there somewhere.. and in all the ESPN games Ive played thus far online play is not very good.
Jude S. gave it a 10:
I have to rate this a 10 on sheer anticipation! The World Series franchise has been so strong... If it's as good as last year's offering, with the added bonus of online play (via XBL), sign me UP!!
