Rating: 
Summary: It's Good!
Review: At first, I was very disappointed with the controller issues. I started the game, Microsoft Sidewinder ready to go, only to find out that it wasn't supported. Ouch...I wasn't too happy. I have been using the keyboard since. It was very confusing and frustrating at first, but after remapping some controls, I am starting to get the hang of it. So, if you don't mind using the keyboard, don't lose hope. Just remap some controls to your liking (although inconvenient, it doesn't take that long to do) and you can really enjoy this game. Oh, just a little advice. If you use the keyboard, the arrow keys on the number pad are what determine your swing location. Maybe I didn't read the manual well enough or I might just be a little light headed, but I was trying to use the regular arrow keys. Very frustrating when you make a juiced up power hitter with over 90 Power and all he can do is hit line drives. Well, by chance, I realized the NUM Pad arrows determined swing location and right away I was belting them out of the park. Only problem is I needed to remap my baserunning keys so that my runners weren't leaving early. For controller users, I noticed they have a fix at the EA website. Controller issues aside, I love the graphics and gameplay. In old versions, there were too many line drives, but now I get a lot more bloopers and high pops to the shallow outfield. A whole lot more realistic. Pitching is much more fun than in the past too! I had an easy time blowing it by batters in old EA titles, but this year, you have to work for your K's. I love the fact that you can charge the mound, although I haven't tried it yet. Oh, the crowd is kind of silly looking. Cardboard cut-outs with Wookie hands. I try not to pay much attention to the people in the seats. I like the Homerun Showdown mode. In it, you go head to head, split screen, with another batter and the first batter to accumulate a total distance wins. This is cool, but I wish you can have an old fashioned homerun derby. Another feature that would be nice would be a batting practice mode. It would be nice to get your timing down or just to see how far the old lumber can launch one. One major flaw I noticed was that I would try to select gameplay options during the game and it would boot me directly to my desktop. EA has a patch for this and some online issues at the website. It is about 3 megs and I installed and have had no problems since. Anyways, I have rambled long enough! Controller issue aside, I have really enjoyed MVP 2004. If you love baseball and want the most realistic offering that's out there, then this one is the one for you.
Rating: 
Summary: MVP baseball 2004
Review: Extreme disapointment! I HAVE a wingman rumblepad, and it still does not work with the game. A waste of 40 bucks as far as I'm concerned...at least until they correct this BIG gaff.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun but Frustrating
Review: First off, as far as computer games go this one is pretty good. The graphics are excellent, the menu's are easy to use. But there are some serious kinks in this game. Left-hand batters no matter what their power, rarely hit homeruns. In dynasty mode, players retire for no reason, and many minor leaguers simply disappear. If you don't have one of the 3 or 4 supported gamepads/controllers yours won't work with this game, and using the keypad presents major difficulties, like not being able to lead off, slide, or swing and control runners at the same time. Despite these deficiencies the gameplay is excellent, the difficulty levels and dynasty mode provide great challenges, and their are fun bells and whistles which add to the fun. I would buy it, but don't expect perfection.
Rating:
Summary: The New Pennant Leader Emerges
Review: For years, I was a High Heat baseball fan (see previous reviews). But with 3DO slowing falling into obscurity and their titles suffering because of it (the last HH was a sheer debacle), I knew it was time to jump ship and see what the gang at EA Sports had in store with MVP Baseball 2004. Right off the bat (excuse the horrible pun), this game delivers. The presentation is solid, with easy-to-read menu choices and a nice interface. You can choose from many modes of play, including exhibition, Dynasty, Home Run Challenge, Pitcher's Duel, etc. These modes are all well-done; however, the one glaring ommission (shame you, EA), is the Season Mode. The Dynasty mode is fun since it lets you control one of MLB's entire franchise, even the AAA and AA teams. Still, this is a little much since not many people are going to want to mess with the lineups and defensive formations of a single-A team and have it affect their "manager rating" in the end. Still, a worthy mode for those wanting to really get their hands dirty. Onto the game. Graphics are tremendous, with each player's likeness looking exactly like his counterpart, sans the lesser known guys. Batting stances are perfect, from Sosa's hunch to Sheffield's waving bat. Pitching animations are also included, and they look great as well. The stadiums are perfectly rendered for each day or night game, and the shadows will even travel across the field to let you know that time is actually passing. As for gameplay, the pitching controls are terrific, but as people have been complaining about, you must have a compatible controller. If you do, you'll be throwing a "slurve" in no time. This also goes for running, batting, and fielding. You can control your slides, rob home run balls, turn double plays from your knees, and so much more. The computer opponent is a challenge, so you'll have to know a little strategy as well. Keep throwing high fast balls, and sooner of later, one is going yard. Sound really lends an authenticity to the game, with plentiful crowd noise, realistic hecklers (ah, to hear the Boston crowd at Fenway chanting "over-rated" to A-Rod), and a wonderful play-by-play and color team that is right there for all the action. EA has never really made a terrific baseball game, but MVP 2004 is definitely the best out there right now. You can tune the game any way you like to make it as hard/easy as you want, and you have complete control of your team, from infield/outfield alignments to warming up relievers in the bullpen (which are seen via cutscenes - a nice touch). Stats are displayed with each batter, and even the nice little milestones during your season (dynasty) are represented via cool e-mails from the league. You can scout the teams you're playing, check out their starting lineup, adjust your own, and decide whether the next pitcher in your rotation has the stuff. MVP Baseball 2004 is the best baseball game to come out for the PC in quite some time. It has everything a true baseball game shoudl have, wrapped up in an excellent package that oozes fun and slick presentation.
Rating:
Summary: Are You All Mad?!
Review: I agree with the other guy about all you reviewers being out of your mind. I can not honestly see how anyone can say this game is terrible. First of all, the hitting, and the actual movements of the pitches, are about as realistic as any game can make it. But perhaps none of you have actually ever seen a curveball? Hmmm...... Anyhow, the game physics are oustanding. If you don't feel the outfielders are faster enough, you can make them faster. There are some bugs, this is true. But none of them, even multiplied together, make this a terrible game. The controller thing is bad, I agree. But if you like baseball games that actually resemble real baseball, this is by far, the best baseball game out, including any console versions.
Rating: 
Summary: OUTRAGED!
Review: I bought this game being a big fan of baseball and the EA line of baseball games. I got home very excited, installed it and then I find out that I can't use my Microsoft gamepad, the same gamepad I used for NHL 04, Madden 04, and every EA baseball game before that. Only FIVE types of controllers are now supported; Logitech Dual Action Gamepad
Wingman Cordless Rumblepad
Wingman Rumblepad
Gravis Eliminator Aftershock
Saikek P880 controller These companies and EA have obviously made some sort of contract to force EA sports customers like us to buy these controllers only. I say boycott all these companies and support the underappreciated ESPN line of sports games.
Rating:
Summary: HORRIBLE
Review: I bought this game expecting another awesome EA game only to find out I CANNOT USE MY GRAVIS GAMPEPAD! I can use this gamepad on Madden 2004, NHL 2004 and NBA Live 2004, but I guess it is not good enough for MVP. Sure in Madden I loose out because I don't have the 2 extra analog controllers, whoopie di do. Now I have to shell out more $$ so I can actually play the game. Read the fine print before you buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Could have been great
Review: I get a new PC baseball game every year. After being disappointed by the recent Triple Play and High Heat games, this MVP Baseball 2004 looked like a winner. It almost is. The pitching control is outstanding. The batting control is much improved. You can also control so many more facets of the game, including how and where your runners slide (to avoid the tag). You can even "railroad" the catcher. I was one of those that were suprised that my controller (MS Sidewinder Gamepad) did not work with this game! I went out and purchased a new Logitech Dual Action Gamepad. Although there was nothing wrong with my old gamepad, I really do like this new one, and its NEEDED to fully enjoy this game (you need both analog sticks to control runners and special fielding plays). The MVP Points system gives you something to strive for. You can unlock old-time players, stadiums, uniforms, etc. However, the game does have some MAJOR flaws. Playing Online: Online play is riddled with bugs. Including one that restarts your game anytime you steal a base! EA should have never shipped with this kind of bug. I'm sure there will be a patch eventually - if you can wait. Controllers: You must own one of the following controllers
Logitech Dual Action Gamepad
Wingman Cordless Rumblepad
Wingman Rumblepad
Gravis Eliminator Aftershock
Saikek P880 controller Playing with the keyboard is useless. I have read that you can hack your Windows registry to make your older controller work, but I'm sure you will be missing some functionality. EA should have included support for older controllers and simplified the controls for them. Game modes: There is a "Dynasty Mode" where you build your team and progress through the years. Creating players in the minors and progressing them is useless. They will never be better than an avg. player. It would have been nice if EA included a Single Season mode, or even a Playoff-tree mode (a la their NHL games). When and if EA releases a patch - the game should be improved, and I would add another star. Found yet another BUG: If you minimize the program, and then try to go back into the game, it will crash and leave you back at the desktop. I suggest you kill all other apps running (especially IMs) when playing.
Rating:
Summary: How can it be better?
Review: I have had MVP Baseball 2003 for about ten months. I play it ALL THE TIME. I AM OBSESSED! You are darn straight I will buy this game as soon as it comes out! And you should too! MVP Baseball 2003 is so great, I wonder how EA Sports will make a better game. Well, there are probably too many new features to mention in one review. Oh well. I'll try: The highly anticipated new "Pure Swing System" Big Play Control New Dynasty Mode Manager Mode Minor Leagues: AA and AAA Cooperstown Players 3D Crowds New Crowd Chants New Pitch Types New "Pitcher Showdown" Over 125+ Signiture batting/pitching stances/motions No Barry Bonds Little Details that make a Baseball Game good like: Passed Balls
Dropped Third Strikes
Behind the Plate Pop ups
Umpire appeals on Check Swings
Pitcher Warmups
Cutscenes THIS GAME IS A MUST HAVE
Rating:
Summary: Good...not Great
Review: I have never played the MVP Baseball series, but after hearing so much about the game (how great it is, etc) I decided to give it a try. I have been playing Madden NFL from EASports for years and love what they have done for that game in terms of Dynasty Mode, etc. My big complaint with MVP Baseball is that when you are in Dynasty Mode you cannot set ticket prices, merchandise prices, food prices, upgrade your stadium, all of the cool stuff you can do with Madden. I figured that this being an EASports brand game that they would have put that stuff in there. Stuff that makes Madden over-the-top great. As a Montreal Expos fan, I can't tell you how much I wish I could move that team out of Montreal/Puerto Rico and build them a nice state-of-the-art stadium in Northern Virginia where my Redskins play, but the yahoo's at EASports DIDN'T GIVE ME THAT OPTION! I would easily have given this game 5 Stars, but this lack of control over every aspect of the team left me wanting MORE from this game. In terms of the actual game, it's pretty good. The players seem to make way too many "ESPN Highlight" catches...like 8 to 10 a game, which seems a bit much, but all in all, it's a solid game. There are a few minor things that I would fix, if they asked me, but it's a fun game that I have a hard time pulling myself away from. Now if they would just pump some steriods into their Dynasty Mode, and give us all the goodies that Madden enjoys, all would be well.
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