ESPN Major League Baseball Critic Reviews

The exclusive first-person-perspective mode is an interesting gimmick, but the online play is what separates this from the minors.

I simply can’t give this game as high a score as I did last year (9.3) because not much has changed. While I still think this game is superior to "MVP Baseball," it’s purely because of gameplay.

The single-player game is beefed up with a tweaked pitching interface and the ability to save games at any time. Its biggest coup over its competition from EA Sports, though, is the ability to play online.

Most of the changes were bad, which is why the score is quite a bit lower than last year. So much of Sega's latest feels thrown together. This is a collection of good ideas without a single one being fully realized.

ESPN's game gives you a nice ground-level view of the action, while its Confidence Meter rises and falls depending on your on-field performance.

A very, very good game. The only real issue I have with the game overall is that it feels too much like last year’s title. For some that may be a good thing. I just don’t believe the term; if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Even though the game boasts online play, better animations, and a more accurate hitting system, it still doesn’t catch up to MVP’s dazzling action and ultra-deep franchise mode. ESPN MLB definitely gets the nod as far as online play goes.

But by releasing the same core game three years running and refusing to incorporate other games' innovations, ESPN is content to take its single, rather than go for extra bases.

Unfortunately, contrary to what Sega Sports would lead you to believe, the first-person setting is more of a gimmick than a playable mode.

The on-field aspect of the game is greatly improved, and I get realistic gameplay and accurate results - and that’s about all you can ask for in a game.

ESPN may lack the innovations and overall polish of "MVP," but it's otherwise a serious contender. ]

Its core gameplay mechanic meets, and in some ways excels over, EA's baseball game... and yet, the window-dressing features are all fairly useless compared to MVP's innovative pitch meter and other extras.

It doesn’t do much right in the way of modes, but what it does do correctly it has nearly perfected.

The gameplay is certainly realistic, but overall, the physics of how the ball moves feel a bit floaty at times. In the final analysis, ESPN MLB trails after "MVP Baseball" and "MLB 2005," making it a good choice for those who aren't satisfied with those league leaders.

While this game is far from perfect, if you’re a fan of World Series Baseball or baseball games in general, this purchase is a no-brainer. In fact I’d go so far to say that ESPN Major League Baseball could be the game to beat "MVP Baseball" this season.

Without solid pitching and batting interfaces, you can't help become disenchanted by this title's play. I applaud Blue Shift's decision to innovate, but the formula still needs a lot of work.

I really can't imagine why Blue Shift would go three steps back in the graphics and sound department.

ESPN MLB isn't a bad game at all, but is functionally a step backwards from last year's game and just can't quite keep up with "MVP."

Aside from a single heckler who insists that Andruw learn how to spell his name, you only ever hear a light roar—even when the ball is hit. As a result, you simply don't feel all that enthralled.

Nothing but a spruced up version of last year's "World Series Baseball."