MLB 06: The Show is not just a roster update with some fixes over MLB 06. The Show now has a new element in presentation, new animations, tons of bug fixes over last year, new game modes, and those which expands on current ones, which in the end provides one of the most complete packages offered in a baseball game. This game is for purists who enjoy the box scores, stats, and who want an accurate representation of the game. Yes, there are home runs, but like in real baseball, it is always something special not something predictable. While the game will appeal heavily towards baseball fundamentalists, the difficulty or style of the game will not bore casual gamers. To put it simply, it is a baseball game that newbies and casual fans can pick up and enjoy, while with increased difficulty settings will please even the most fickle of baseball purists.

The visuals have been kicked up a notch in many departments, with the only real flaw coming in the lack of HD support. Gamers can expect accurate player models from the heads and faces, to the batting stances and mannerisms. The facial scans can be eerie sometimes in close ups as you’ll see them show emotion, chew gum, and other facial animations which brings each player to life. Other notable features are the fantastic and fluid animations, details like dirt clinging to uniforms, and a better sense of collision detection to the ball. Stadiums are just as brilliant as ever, with accurate depictions including new venues like St Louis’ new Busch Stadium. I would like to see improved and real time lighting next year along with rain and weather effects, as they are absent in this years version. For fans of the long ball, most of the stadium specific celebrations are present, which adds to the joy of jacking one out of the park. The presentation has also been boosted with new screen wipes, cut scenes, and replay cameras that feel more and more like an actual broadcast. The entire visual package feels as if it has been boosted by performance enhancing drugs, but of course, we all know that no practices of such kind go on in baseball.

Audio has been slightly improved, but nowhere as intensely as the visuals. Using the 3-man booth once again, you are greeted to the ballpark by the likes of Matt Vasgersian, Dave Campbell and Rex “Hurricane” Hudler. All three do an upstanding job calling the plays and providing pertinent info on the players and teams. The streaming of the play by play is more seamless than in previous versions, which feels much like a broadcast announce team. Sure, there are repetitious spots, especially on star players and common plays, but nevertheless, there are new phases that do come up even after 60-70 games into your season. The crowd audio is more responsive than in the past, cheering for the home crowd, jeering on bad plays, heckling individuals, and even the sound of stadium vendors make it in again this year. 989 have done a wonderful job, and the THX boost to the audio creates an even more believable atmosphere.

Game play is the highlight of any great sports game. You can look the best, have impeccable audio, and tons of features, but if your game play is weak, then you have nothing. Thankfully, for 989 they have the game play down pat. Not since the long departed, yet never forgotten High Heat series has a baseball game played so well. Everything that is great about the game of baseball is perfectly represented here. You have stabbing grabs, bobbled balls, passed balls, balls deflecting off the rubber, bad hops, missed steps, offline throws, wild pitches, broken bats, sliding tackles into second, double plays from the knees, off balanced catches, leaping wall grabs, HR robbing stabs, accurate ball physics, smart A.I., and a mechanics system that is much like baseball, simple to learn, yet tough to master and predict. Even though MLB 2K6 and MVP have introduced a nice analog swinging system this year, I am sure next season Sony will keep the innovations coming, but for now, they don’t need any fancy gimmicks to sell this game, they let the flawless representation do it for them.

The gang at 989 Sports has left little behind in terms of delivering game modes to go along with the game play. You have the typical modes that no game should be without including; Exhibition, Season, HR Derby, and Online play. Introduced this year is the King of the Diamond mode, which is an over the top, pitcher versus batter duel for points. It is a fun mode that will provide an alternative to the traditional modes offered in the game. Where 989 takes the crown again this year is by offering not one but two ways to play multiple seasons. The first is the expanded Career Mode in which your goal is to build a successful career for one player. The ultimate goal is to reach the Hall of Fame and set a place for yourself among the immortals. We are not just talking about at bats and box scores either, as you must make critical decisions with management and players to be successful, not just play good on the field. Included also is a Franchise mode where you run the front office and have complete control over all team operations, player contracts, vendor contracts, scouting, drafting, player rehab, assignments, and marketing. How profitable, popular and successful your team becomes relies on how well you perform your duties. Both of these modes are fully playable on the field, but it is in the menu options where your real changes are made and what separates these modes from your traditional season modes.

The PSP version of The Show has all of the game modes, minus Franchise mode. This is a big disappointment as it would have been nice to be able to connect the PSP and PS2 to interchange Franchise modes so you can continue your experience at home and on the road. Otherwise, besides some load times, slightly lower polygon count, and a few presentation absentees such as cut scenes announcing your pinch hitters and new pitchers, the two versions are nearly identical, which is incredible for a handheld.

Even though MLB 2K6 is just around the corner, they are going to have to release a solid and genuine experience to topple this title. We will have to wait a few more weeks to know for sure, but I am pretty certain that for the PlayStation 2, this will be the title to get once again. The only thing that excites me more is to see what 989 can pull off with the PlayStation 3 and its next generation power. For now, the game of baseball is represented perfectly in MLB 06: The Show, and not only is this a candidate for best baseball game of the year, but possibly best sports game as well.