MLB Power Pros 2008

 DS
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. GamingTrend
    79
    It manages to capture the essence of that strangely enjoyable game we call baseball, even if it is lacking in other areas.
  2. GameFocus
    73
    Of course, if you played the game on either the PS2 or Wii, you won’t find all the components but in the end, MLB Power Pros 2008 for the Nintendo DS is a very interesting experience.
  3. IGN
    70
    And that's really the game's biggest downfall: the amount of Power Pro content we wish was there, that we know is there in other versions.
  5. GameSpot
    70
    Though it lacks the unique modes that are the series' trademark, MLB Power Pros 2008 is currently the best baseball game on the DS.
  6. GameZone
    70
    It plays very well. But without even a season mode, there is little in the way of lasting appeal.
  7. Cheat Code Central
    66
    While it's not perfect and it's not an ideal handheld realization of the Power Pros franchise, this game does do many things right.
  8. Modojo
    60
    It's this lack of content that keeps MLB Power Pros 2008 from being a great video game. Enjoyable controls and decent graphics make it one of the DS' best sports games, but for $29.99, we expected a little more.

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best DS Game of 2008
86
#86 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. DarrenZ.
    Sep 3, 2008
    8
    A great little baseball game that is every bit as accessible and fun as the console version but lacks play modes and the statistical depth ofA great little baseball game that is every bit as accessible and fun as the console version but lacks play modes and the statistical depth of its bigger brother. There's no season play, just one-off exhibition games and an 8-team playoff mode plus a homerun derby mini-game. After a game, you get a brief statistical breakdown of the action, but this information is not saved, so once you click "Exit", it's gone. Not even a win/loss record is saved, so you can't track your progress. That said, the gameplay is excellent with intuitive controls and smooth on-field action. In a phrase, "Just plain fun." While the lack of features is disappointing, it's still worth a purchase for anybody who's looking for a baseball fix on their DS.… Full Review »
  2. Bilestoad
    Aug 28, 2008
    9
    This gets a 9 instead of 10 only because it has no stats tracking or season mode. Personally, I don't even want stats or a full season.This gets a 9 instead of 10 only because it has no stats tracking or season mode. Personally, I don't even want stats or a full season. There is a playoff mode, enough to keep most people with jobs or lives happy.
    The other baseball games I've played are all ruined by at least one game breaking feature, and this one isn't bad at anything.

    There's a great practise mode that teaches you the controls in a game-like setting, and these controls are great. Everything is controllable by buttons and stylus.
    Fielding, baserunning, and substitutions can be automated or manual.
    Pitching control -- choose a pitch type then place it with the cursor, then tap the button to speed up the pitch.
    Batting -- toggle between normal or power swing, place the sweetspot cursor near the pitch location marker, then swing. It's very natural and the timing is good -- there's a feeling of immediacy without it being so quick that the ball flies by before you know what's happening.

    One screen is a great 3D view and the other is a simple top down display. There's never any confusion about what's going on, and you won't find yourself squinting.

    Don't let the cute look or the history of DS sports games fool you into thinking this is for young children, who might prefer 'Little League World Series Baseball 2008' with its streamlined controls that sacrifice everything that makes the game special in favour of accessibility (a la Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games). I have only played this on the 2nd easiest difficulty and find it adequately challenging. Besides, the animation when you miss with a power swing ALONE justifies the cartoon look.

    Choose from real MLB teams with real players. Batters have traits like power and running speed, etc., while pitchers have known pitch types and ratings for each.

    This is the real deal, and I can't believe it's on a handheld. I suspect negative reviews will come from people comparing it to the Japanese and console versions, since they are more feature rich, but I can't see anything but positivity coming from people who judge it by its own merits.
    Oh, and since I play as the Red Sox, I feel like I'm back in the 90s again, because I keep losing.    … Full Review »