Midway Games today announced MLB SlugFest 2006 for the PS2 and Xbox. Among the game's new offerings will be a new create-a-player mode and more signature animations and "extreme collisions," along with the requisite updated team rosters and stadiums. MLB SlugFest 2006 will release Spring 2006 for the price of $19.99.

When asked about this new SlugFest and how it relates to Take-Two's exclusive third-party rights to the MLB license, a Midway representative informed us they had a prior deal with MLB and that Midway's previous agreement was not voided by the deal with Take-Two. The contract, however, will end in 2006, so this will be the final year SlugFest can feature MLB players and teams.

"MLB SlugFest 2006 is the only adrenaline-style, officially MLB licensed baseball game on the market and we're very excited to be able to offer gamers the latest in the SlugFest franchise at a great value," said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. "At a competitive price point and in a year in which fewer than usual MLB licensed games exist, we're certain that fans will embrace having a choice at retail, especially with the enhancements that we've been able to incorporate into MLB SlugFest 2006."