Last year's Major League Baseball 2K6 played like an average team desperately clinging onto a final playoff spot. It offered plenty of exciting moments, but other (and better) sports video games brushed it aside. Although GameDaily received preview code (not suitable for review), the Xbox 360 version looks much better than its cell processor powered PlayStation 3 counterpart.

For whatever reason, the PlayStation 3 MLB 2K7 lacks polish. The foreground looks sharp, displaying the finest of details on pitchers and batters, but the background blurs, obscuring the ugly fans, the stadiums and outfield/infielders. Even the 2K Sports blimp that appears during the beginning of games moves slowly, its propellers slowly turning.

The Xbox 360 version, on the other hand, looks amazing. All of the players resemble their real life counterparts, right down to body build (fat guys, represent) and little details, such as signature wristbands and shin guards. 2K Sports even captures their batting stances; Derek Jeter stands up straight, while other players lean over.

Camera angles add to the realism, offering players an ant's eye view courtesy of the Dirt and Grass Cam, and in an innovative twist, the developers let gamers argue calls. For example, after the New York Yankees' pitcher Chien-Ming Wang hit some bozo in the head with the ball, the umpire ejected him, firing up Yankee manager Joe Torre, who stormed from the dugout. When this happened, pressing A incited a confrontation. Joe got in the ump's face and a Temper Meter popped up. Rapidly pressing the A button boosted team morale. Wang was tossed, but the remaining Yankee players received an attribute boost that lasted for an entire inning (six outs: three on offense, three on defense). Conversely, if players on defense get hit with the ball, they become the umpire, deciding to let the manager rant or send him home early.

Contesting calls definitely makes the game more enjoyable. On the flip side, it encourages violence. 2K Sports definitely pushes the sports genre forward by making its baseball game more realistic, but players will probably goad opponents into hitting them just so they can throw out opposing managers/players.

2K7's commentary also stands out. Pre-game analysts Jeanne Zelasko and Steve Physioc offer excellent information while Jon Miller and Joe Morgan call the game with gusto, even when players pause the action. The smooth delivery further enhances this quality product, blurring the line between reality and video game.

2K Sports releases Major League Baseball 2K7 February 26, so look for GameDaily's review next week. However, based on the Xbox 360 preview code, expect a high score. PS3, on the other hand, may not receive the same praise.

Related Links

Major League Baseball 2K7 (Xbox 360) Game Guide

Major League Baseball 2K7 (PS3) Game Guide

2K Sports