MLB 09: The Show

Platforms

• PlayStation 3

  Mar 3, 2009

  ---

  8.5

  playscore

  9.0

  7 Critics

  8.6

  1.01K Players

7 critic reviews · 0 community reviews across all platforms

Critic Reviews

• 

  Destructoid

  9.0

  MLB 09 The Show adheres to the age-old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and that is its greatest strength. Rather than implementing changes in the name of innovation or back-of-the-box bullet points, Sony San Diego has refined the winning formula of MLB 08 in nearly every imaginable way, and they’ve delivered the best version of The Show yet. But for those who shudder at the thought of plunking down $60 for a mere “update,” the game certainly brings enough significant improvements and additions -- especially for the hardcore fan base -- to justify a purchase even for owners of MLB 08.

  Reviewed on PS3

  Read full review
• 

  Game Trailers

  8.8

  MLB 09's choppy online play is an unfortunate blemish on an otherwise stellar game. For those hoping to enjoy the multiplayer leagues, chat system, and live drafts, this is a big problem. Of course, you can always brush up on your skills offline while the development team gets to work on improving the net code. In terms of realism, challenge, and sheer enjoyment, MLB 09's brand of single-player virtual hardball easily takes home the pennant this season.

  Reviewed on PS3
• 

  GameSpot

  9.0

  With all of that said, Road to the Show is still amazingly addictive. Sure, it's a time sink. But it feels like you're really building a Major Leaguer one game at a time, earning training points through successes in games and buying skill-enhancing workouts. MLB 09: The Show is more of a love letter to baseball than it is just another game. Of course, nothing will ever take the place of the real thing, but anyone with a serious fondness for the national pastime will find this an enthralling substitute.

  Reviewed on PS3

  Read full review
• 

  Games Radar+

  9.0

  MLB 09 The Show is baseball poetry in motion, a gorgeous ode to America’s pastime that celebrates the game at a time when baseball fans need it the most. We savored just about everything from first pitch to last out, including the riotously smooth visuals and rock-solid gameplay. While there’s an admittedly substantial learning curve, we’re more than willing to spend lots of time inside The Show’s world. It’s just that good.

  Reviewed on PS3

  Read full review
• 

  Cheatcc

  9.2

  The game's graphics and sounds are perfect. The visuals are so good in full HD, you'll often forget your playing a video game and not just interacting with a live telecast. Surprisingly, the visuals aren't flawless, however. Though stadiums and crowds are nearly perfect, backgrounds, especially during spring training, are decidedly lacking detail and polish.

  Reviewed on PS3

  Read full review
• 

  IGN

  8.7

  The Show has, once again, shown how it's one of the best and most consistent sports franchises out there, delivering solid baseball gameplay and an even deeper set of gameplay features. While there are some updates to fielding and some enhancements to Franchise, Road to the Show and Online, some of issues cropped up within the game and kept it from becoming truly phenomenal. However, as a intermediate step towards MLB 10: The Show, this is definitely a game that baseball fans should buy.

  Reviewed on PS3

  Read full review
• 

  PlayStation Universe

  9.0

  Visually, MLB 09: The Show is the most stunning sports title to date. The lighting techniques are outstanding within each intricately detailed stadium and the player models are all top notch. As far as we’re concerned, some MLB mothers may even have trouble telling the difference between her real son and his virtual counterpart. Player animations are fluid and branching, and shin guards no longer seem to float in the air behind players' calves.

  Reviewed on PS3

  Read full review

Community Reviews

Be the first to review this game! Help others discover if this is the right game for them.

About the game