MLB 2004
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MLB 2004 is a 2003 baseball video game developed by 989 Sports and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. An abridged version for the PlayStation more faithful to its predecessors was released the same month. Unlike the earliest releases of baseball video games, such as Atari: Home Run, MLB 2004 maintained traditional aspects of baseball. The game included all of the classic baseball elements of "pitching, hitting, fielding and base running" while including the ability to develop a team and strategize.[1] MLB's control over the game's core features and design allowed for consistent brand image and resonated with fans internationally.[2][failed verification] It was the first game in the MLB series to not be exclusive to North America, as it was released in Japan as MLB 2003 for the PlayStation 2 .
Vin Scully and Dave Campbell provide commentary for the game. On the cover is Los Angeles Dodgers player Shawn Green. The game includes accurate player rankings and statistics related to the baseball drafting process, allowing fans to tie their pre-existing baseball knowledge with video game entertainment. The MLB series prioritized accuracy when it came to representing the sport digitally.[1] The players and stadium were brought to life through Sony's "meticulous attention to detail".[1] A "majority of the attention was paid to making sure players looked realistic"; however, "there are some moments when the camera [wouldn't] display the best angle for the onscreen action".[1] The game was preceded by MLB 2003 and succeeded by MLB 2005.
Game Modes
There were a plethora of game modes included in MLB 2004 including Career, Home Run Derby, Fantasy Draft, Manager, Franchise and a new game mode, Spring Training, a mode that had not been featured in any other baseball titles.
Spring Training
The Spring Training mode featured the player assuming the role of a rookie player who has been invited to Spring Training by an MLB team. The goal is to acclimate as many points as possible through different tasks such as fielding balls at the player's specific position, getting hits, as well as stealing bases. The player has six games to try to make an impression and earn enough points to make it onto the actual MLB roster, though even after you make it on the roster you have to maintain the good performance or risk getting demoted to the minor leagues, off of the MLB roster.[3]
Career Mode
The career mode allows players to select a particular player or team that they want to choose and try to have the best career/franchise possible over the span of 10 seasons. Another aspect of the game mode is that you are able to sign and trade players that are in the MLB. You are also in charge of a ‘farm club’ which is the minor league team that is under the team that you choose or choose to play for. One of the features that allows for less stress on the player is the fact that players are not in charge of dealing with the salary and staying under the salary cap as well as no free agency moves.[3]
Franchise Mode
Franchise mode allows a player to control a computer-generated team of 11 players that the player is in charge of to face off against other teams that are in the league. The goal of the franchise mode is obviously to win the World Series, though for every home run, win, or set of wins that a player reaches they are able to earn points that can be used to purchase players that are better than the ones currently on the team to be better equipped to make a run and win the World Series.[3]
Gameplay
Hitting
Several new types of hitting were included in MLB 2004 which include the power swing and the contact swing. The hitter must move a bat cursor to make sure that they are able to make contact with the ball. There is a paddle that surround the cursor which highlights the area that is covered by a contact swing, and the smaller cursor which highlights the area covered by a power swing. The hitter is able to guess the location of the pitch, and if correct will increase the size of the cursor making the ball easier to hit.[4]
Reception
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The game received "mixed or average reviews" on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][6] In Japan, Famitsu gave the PlayStation 2 version a score of one six, one five, one six, and one five for a total of 22 out of 40.[7] GamePro said of the PlayStation 2 version, "Deciding whether to spring for this game will boil down to individual preferences. Several other baseball games are far more polished, but if you're intrigued by MLB 2004Template:'s features, and if its pace and batting work for you, it's worth the price of admission."[8][a]
Notes
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References
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- ^ a b c d Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Haynes, Jeff (April 3, 2003). "MLB 2004". Game Over Online. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Shoemaker, Shane (May 9, 2023). "4 Reasons Why the MLB International Series Is Crucial". ClutchPoints. Archived from the original on February 20, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Provo, Frank (March 18, 2003). "MLB 2004 Review (PS2)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."MLB 2004 Review (PS2)". The Gamers Temple. April 18, 2003. Archived from the original on June 21, 2003. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
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Famwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Air Hendrix (April 2003). "MLB 2004 (PS2)". GamePro. No. 175. IDG. Archived from the original on November 30, 2005. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
