The popular Japanese baseball franchise MLB Power Pros is once again coming to America, as 2K Sports and Konami have announced plans to release MLB Power Pros 2008 on the Wii and PlayStation 2 in July, followed by a Nintendo DS version this fall
MLB Power Pros was available in North America for the first time last year.
The Wii and DS platforms make perfect sense for MLB Power Pros 2008, as the game is known for its miniature caricature-like Major League Baseball player models and easy controls. The PS2 version is just a good business move on 2K Sports’ and Konami’s part, considering that consoles still-large install base.
MLB Power Pros 2008 will include 10 game modes such as Practice, Exhibition, League and Home Run Challenge, but three modes in particular have our interest. The first is Season Mode, which will let players take on the role of general manager to conduct trades, sign free agents, coordinate practice schedules, purchase new equipment and call up and send down players from the Minor Leagues. Normally such a simulation-like mode is reserved for the more “hardcore” baseball games, so its inclusion in a more-approachable game is intriguing.
Success Mode, meanwhile, is akin to a story mode, with players taking control over the career of rising players in the Double-A Minor League system. This mode will focus on players improving their baseball skills and making an impression on scouts while also having to balance various situations in their personal lives. Again, this isn’t something you normally find outside of a simulation.
This Minor League character can then be pulled into the third interesting mode, MLB Life. Also focused on a story, this mode will see gamers take control over a Major League Baseball player for an entire 20-year career. There will still be games to play of course, but this mode also includes “playing” through situations such as signing contracts, purchasing houses and cars, making charitable donations and building relationships with friends and teammates.
For the record, MLB Power Pros 2008 will also let Wii owners import their Mii and play with him/her in the game.
