Major League Baseball 2K9

Overview

Major League Baseball 2K9, or MLB 2K9 for short, is an MLB-licensed baseball simulation video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K. The game was developed for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable and Wii. The game was released on March 3, 2009, to mixed-to-positive reviews.

New features were implemented for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 versions. Pitching had been simplified from 2K8 to "2-step pitching", with "hold and gesture", eliminating the third "Release Timing" step of 2K8, simplifying the motion while retaining the style. "Meatballs" (mistake pitches) have been removed, instead, badly released pitches will be less effective (fastballs will be straighter, curveballs will hang, and so forth.). The AI's pitch selection was also improved. (Players may elect to use the third step as an option, and users may also still use the older Precision Pitching from 2K7.) "Influence hitting" allowed users to control fly and ground balls, and bunt with improved precision.

Then-lead developer Ben Brinkman's 1UP.com log claimed that MLB 2K9 represented the final act of a planned three year development cycle for 2K's baseball series for next gen systems. He restated the "three year plan" in a January 18, 2008 podcast with Official Xbox Magazine. In both interviews, Brinkman stated that 2K9, the third game, would represent the final, most polished version of the next gen series. However, Brinkman walked away from the series after the release of MLB 2K8, handing the reins back to Visual Concepts.

IGN's review of the Wii version had some diametrically opposed criticism of 2K9, stating it was too easy to strike out hitters with too-precise pitching, as well as a "laughable" franchise mode that featured 1 year, $40 million salaries for players like Danys Báez and no online play despite promises for one after 2K8 was released.

Official trailer

Gameplay Video. Watch on YouTube

Screenshots

Game details

Genres

Sport

Developer

Kush Games, Visual Concepts

Publisher

2K Sports

Series

MLB 2K

Platforms

PlayStation 3, Wii, Windows, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2

Age rating

ESRB E

Modes

Single player

Yes

Local multiplayer

Yes

Online multiplayer

Yes

Co op

No

Age ratings

ESRB

E

Release dates

Playable today

Credits

Region

US