A Solid Hit Into Center Field - A Review of MLB Power Pros 2008 for the Nintendo DS


With the exception of MLB: The Show for the PSP, we have found portable baseball games lacking in both control and complexity. In comparison to their home console brethren, handheld titles are frequently watered-down conversions, subjugated by hardware limitations. While the DS has seen its share of sports game ports, few are engaging enough to hold our attention for a substantial amount of time.

In 1994, Konami released Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū (translated to: ‘Live Powerful Pro Baseball’) for the Japanese equivalent of the Super Nintendo. The game featured cartoonish players with excessively large heads, drawn in an anime-inspired method. Hardware limitations kept the players simple; they lacked mouths, noses, hair, and legs. The cuteness of the characters prevailed over the desire for graphical sophistication, and became a franchise trademark. While the series was a popular hit overseas, it wasn’t until last year that the games hit consoles on these shores. MLB Power Pros for the Wii and PS2 was a moderate success, and paved the way for MLB Power Pros 2008 for the Nintendo DS.

With its graphical abstraction, yet full-featured gameplay, Power Pros was a perfect candidate for conversion to Nintendo’s handheld system. With a few DS incarnations under its belt in Japan, Konami has brought the franchise here- albeit with significant changes. While one would expect a roster change to reflect American ball teams, the game has additionally been given a graphical overhaul as well. Players no longer share the hand-drawn look of the Japanese game, and now look much more polygonal. The bottom screen’s overview of the playfield has been revamped to give a much more detailed view, while the top screen has been reduced of clutter.


Despite these changes, Power Pros offers some of the most compelling and stat-driven baseball found on the DS system. Upon loading the game, players are offered a multitude of options that include a quick exhibition game, an eight team playoff series, a homerun derby, as well as the ability to practice and manage teams. One glaring omission is the lack of any seasonal play; while a 162 game schedule might seem extreme; we would have liked to at least seen an option for an abbreviated season.

Power Pro’s core gameplay is quick and solid. While batting, players control the angle and position of their swing by moving a cursor. To pitch, players select a delivery from the hurler’s repertoire, and then quickly choose an area around the batter’s box as the ball heads toward the plate. Fielding and baserunning can be set to auto, semi-auto or zero levels of computer assistance; one of the game’s strengths is its ability to use the touch screen to control runners. The title is known for a realistic and robust physics system that accurately models contact when a hit is made; and we found it equals Power Pro’s console counterparts.

Sonically, the game is a schizophrenic mess; the home run derby features a tidy rock-a-billy tune, while player entrances are accompanied by low bandwidth hard rock songs. Surprisingly, player’s names are announced, which adds greatly to the overall feel of the game. As we mentioned, the game suits the DS limited graphical abilities well, although we wonder why player pictures are buried in the team editing menu system.

Simply put, baseball fans have few options for recreating their favorite sport on the DS. While MLB Power Pros isn’t perfect, it is far better than all the other baseball shovelware that plagues the system. Let’s hope that Komami and publisher 2K Sports hit one out of the park next year.

Final Grade: B

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Posted by DesertEagle at 8/28/2008 11:15 AM
Categories: DS,Reviews
 

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