Playing a sports game that requires viewing a small gameplay object in motion such as a baseball or hockey puck becomes a chore on any small screen and MVP falls directly into that category. Unfortunately that’s not where the troubles end. If you’ve enjoyed EA’s quality offering of this series on the console systems you’ll be hard pressed to find a good reason to take a portable version of the game with you. Portability isn’t reason enough. Due to the downsizing of features and gameplay mechanics which PSP games are experiencing at a drastic rate, MVP Baseball is missing the heart and soul which makes it a veritable fan favorite on the big screen; namely Perfect Zone. Unable to place your pitches exactly where you want them makes the game easier for the AI and much harder for you. As well, due to the PSP’s small screen you’ll have to squint and hunt for the cursor. I hate that. If you can get beyond the interface, MVP is a looker. The animations of the various swings, catches, pitches and slides are excellent – but of course they’ve been carried over from big brother. But I’m at that stage of my life where graphics just don’t wow me if the gameplay isn’t there and MVP strikes out when compared to the console version I know, love and respect. If you’re jonesing for a baseball title for the PSP, you don’t have a lot of options. Sony’s entry isn’t up to snuff either and in comparing the two, I’d say MVP over Sony’s. It will definitely pass the time while taking the subway to and from work but at the end of the day, you’ll come home, turn off the PSP and fire up the console version which is a homerun compared to this ballwalker. |