MVP Baseball 2004 Critic Reviews

Never before has a sports game improved so much and added so many new features in a single season. It may not be the league-leader in every category, but excellent performances across the board make it the best baseball game of the year.

With a revamped Dynasty mode, a new batting system, and my favorite feature, Big Play Control, MVP Baseball 2004 is the complete package.

The sights and sounds of the game are nothing less than impressive and blow away what we’ve seen so far in the forthcoming competition.

EA sports does their best with MVP baseball 2004 to recreate this feeling of actually being there at the game, as opposed to just playing a game. They’ve done a damn good job, too.

A 120 season dynasty, comprehensive gameplay capturing every nuance of the game, and a plethora of extras could make this the game every other franchise wishes it was.

One of the most ambitious attempts ever made to replicate arguably the most complicated sport on the planet, and in most cases, it hits the mark in spectacular fashion.

For the second year running, MVP is home to the best all around gameplay package. The pressure sensitive pitching mechanic, and sheer intensity of batting best exemplify the realism of the sport and skills that it takes to excel.

A landmark videogame baseball achievement. The lack of online play notwithstanding, it's brilliant.

No other baseball game so far as been able to fully capture the feel of pitching, fielding and batting like MVP has. The pitching and fielding interfaces are unmatched and are down right groundbreaking, yet extremely simple to pick up on and use.

What EA Sports has achieved in MVP 2004 is creating one of the deepest and most re-playable baseball games I've ever encountered.

The production values, the nuances in game play and the re-playability will keep you addicted well into the Fall and beyond.

Solid in every department, this one will be hard to top simply for the fact that it has very few weaknesses. While other entries might feature better stat-tracking or deeper Dynasty modes, they’ll be hard-pressed to be as well-rounded as MVP.

All three titles dish out amazing gameplay, but we give the edge to MVP, with its innovative fielding and pitching interfaces.

By putting the game's history (over 50 Hall of Famers, to start) in your hands, and allowing you to lead your club many years into the future, MVP Baseball 2004 makes a poetic argument for declaring the de facto American sport— console gaming—our official pastime.

Hands down, the best baseball videogame ever made.

The core fundamentals are spot-on, the variety of options and control choices is spectacular, and the presentation totally draws you into the experience.

This is a gem, a true gem. The animations will uncurl your socks, the depth and ingenuity of the Dynasty Mode will create a new summer obsession, and even diehard Sega fans (like myself) will question their allegiance.

EA Canada knew what they were doing with this title, and it has authenticity and entertainment written all over it. The revolutionary idea to add over 60 minor league teams is huge, and helps boost an already very robust Dynasty Mode.

Nuanced controls like the Pure Swing System let you toggle the left thumbstick of your controller to dig out low pitches, reach for a hanging curve or, in our case, just fan the air where you thought the ball should have appeared.

If there's one department in which MVP can't be beat, it's player animations. From the plate to the mound and out into center, these guys move with a jaw-dropping grace and fluidity.