Game mechanics here work extremely well, and you'll have several options for control. You'll have your choice of GameCube and Classic Controller play, and these give the game a more precise and classic feel. However, you can use the Wii-mote and Nunchuk just fine, and these make a little more sense for more casual players who are more accustomed to the Wii-mote feel. Either way you control it, the mechanics are basically the same.

In the story modes, you'll use point and click mechanics to make decisions for your player, and then you'll used ranged button releases for pitching and batting. You won't directly control most of the outfield or runs during the actual game, but you can set these via fairly intricate strategy settings that you can customize before every game.

Graphics and sound are essentially the same as they were in last year's iteration, although the game commentary has been notably improved. The music is still somewhat repetitive, especially during long dialogue scenes in the single-player modes. However, the sound on the whole is generally inoffensive.

MLB Power Pros 2008 is a great sports title and really succeeds because it provides a deep and rewarding experience for serious sports gamers, but it also provides a fun and casual experience for those who just have basic knowledge of the sport and want to have some fun playing baseball. It has so many ways to play, and you can easily get past the fifty hour gameplay mark by playing just the three single-player modes. And if you want to create teams and play through the league and training modes, you could be playing all the way until next season!

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Freelance Writer