Metacritic Games

MVP Baseball 2004 (Xbox)

Step up to the plate with MVP Baseball 2004. The fundamentals of hitting, pitching, fielding, and base running have been reproduced like never before to give you complete control over every aspect of the game. From swinging for the fences or protecting the plate when you have a two-strike count, the all-new batting model provides unprecedented command of each type of swing in every situation. With great gameplay and many additional features such as Pitching Challenge and Dynasty Mode, MVP Baseball 2004 wins the pennant as the most innovative and realistic baseball experience ever created. Groundbreaking Hitting Control: From hitting to the opposite field to pulling the ball down the line to swinging for the fences, every swing type is included. You Control the Field: Leap over the wall and rob home runs, hook slide to avoid tags, and take out the catcher at home with all-new player control. Pick Your Park: With all-new crowd chants, the addition of classic stadiums, and new lighting to signify various start times for your biggest games, MVP Baseball 2004 puts you in the best seat in the house. Your Dynasty Begins Now: Take full control of your franchise on all the levels -- from the minors to the pros. Play, sim, or manage each game all the way to the World Series. [Electronic Arts]

Electronic Arts
Sports, Baseball
Players: 2
E (Everyone)
Developer: EA Canada
Released March 9, 2004

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

90 / 100

Critic Reviews

100 Play Magazine
With a revamped Dynasty mode, a new batting system, and my favorite feature, Big Play Control, MVP Baseball 2004 is the complete package. [Apr 2004, p.73]
100 GamePro
Never before has a sports game improved so much and added so many new features in a single season. It may not be the league-leader in every category, but excellent performances across the board make it the best baseball game of the year. [May 2004, p.86]
96 Warcry
EA sports does their best with MVP baseball 2004 to recreate this feeling of actually being there at the game, as opposed to just playing a game. They’ve done a damn good job, too.
96 XboxAddict
The sights and sounds of the game are nothing less than impressive and blow away what we’ve seen so far in the forthcoming competition.
95 Loaded Inc
A 120 season dynasty, comprehensive gameplay capturing every nuance of the game, and a plethora of extras could make this the game every other franchise wishes it was.
93 Game Informer
For the second year running, MVP is home to the best all around gameplay package. The pressure sensitive pitching mechanic, and sheer intensity of batting best exemplify the realism of the sport and skills that it takes to excel. [Apr 2004, p.93]
93 Operation Sports
One of the most ambitious attempts ever made to replicate arguably the most complicated sport on the planet, and in most cases, it hits the mark in spectacular fashion.
91 XGP Gaming
What EA Sports has achieved in MVP 2004 is creating one of the deepest and most re-playable baseball games I've ever encountered.
91 Official Xbox Magazine
A landmark videogame baseball achievement. The lack of online play notwithstanding, it's brilliant. [Apr 2004, p.76]
91 Game Revolution
Solid in every department, this one will be hard to top simply for the fact that it has very few weaknesses. While other entries might feature better stat-tracking or deeper Dynasty modes, they’ll be hard-pressed to be as well-rounded as MVP.
91 Worth Playing
No other baseball game so far as been able to fully capture the feel of pitching, fielding and batting like MVP has. The pitching and fielding interfaces are unmatched and are down right groundbreaking, yet extremely simple to pick up on and use.
91 Console Gameworld
The production values, the nuances in game play and the re-playability will keep you addicted well into the Fall and beyond.
91 Entertainment Weekly
All three titles dish out amazing gameplay, but we give the edge to MVP, with its innovative fielding and pitching interfaces. [16 Apr 2004, p.L2T 19]
90 Yahoo! Games
If there's one department in which MVP can't be beat, it's player animations. From the plate to the mound and out into center, these guys move with a jaw-dropping grace and fluidity.
90 IGN
This is a gem, a true gem. The animations will uncurl your socks, the depth and ingenuity of the Dynasty Mode will create a new summer obsession, and even diehard Sega fans (like myself) will question their allegiance.
90 BonusStage
EA Canada knew what they were doing with this title, and it has authenticity and entertainment written all over it. The revolutionary idea to add over 60 minor league teams is huge, and helps boost an already very robust Dynasty Mode.
90 Stuff
Nuanced controls like the Pure Swing System let you toggle the left thumbstick of your controller to dig out low pitches, reach for a hanging curve or, in our case, just fan the air where you thought the ball should have appeared.
90 Village Voice
By putting the game's history (over 50 Hall of Famers, to start) in your hands, and allowing you to lead your club many years into the future, MVP Baseball 2004 makes a poetic argument for declaring the de facto American sport— console gaming—our official pastime.
90 GameSpot
The core fundamentals are spot-on, the variety of options and control choices is spectacular, and the presentation totally draws you into the experience.
90 Xbox Nation Magazine
Hands down, the best baseball videogame ever made. [Apr 2004, p.92]
88 Armchair Empire
MVP Baseball 2004 has the most accurate and authentic gameplay experience and the most in-depth franchise mode setting the bar higher for other developers.
87 Next Level Gaming
Another great baseball game. For me, it's not the best of the year for a couple of reasons. One, no Xbox Live. Two, still don't like the fielding.
87 TeamXbox
MVP 2004 mixes both player control and stats in a way that makes the gamer feel in control of the finer points of a player that already has a rated ability; in control of an X factor if you will...The unique gameplay feel along with the crater-deep Dynasty Mode makes MVP 2004 the best baseball game to date on any system.
87 Game Over Online
The play by play within MVP 2004 is stronger than many other sports titles, primarily based on the variety of comments found from the announce team.
85 GameSpy
While releases from Acclaim, 3DO, Sega, and EA have done reasonable jobs in the past, MVP Baseball 2004 may come the closest yet to replicating the action on the field. It looks spectacular and I could easily use the same adjective to describe the gameplay.
83 Computer Games Magazine
Batting can be a hit or miss experience, however, offering players control over where the ball goes but ultimately making the effort a matter of timing. [June 2004, p.11]
83 Electronic Gaming Monthly
Aside from offering a deeper, feature-heavy dynasty mode (now complete with minor league squads), 2004 revolutionizes the art of videogame batting muich like 2003 did with pitching. [Apr 2004, p.117]
83 Gaming Age
The fielding is great in the infield and a nightmare in the outfield.
80 GamerFeed
Significantly better than the previous installment, and it's one of the best baseball titles I've played in years.
79 GamingTrend
The franchise mode works pretty well for the first year, but then you find out that your players don’t really gain much in ability, veterans are still powerhouses far after their prime years and your team goes to pot as it drafts and sends up younger players when you sim seasons.
70 Gamenikki
Call it the sophomore jinx. A great rookie season had us anticipating more, but MVP needs more work before it can really be considered the Most Valuable Player.

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