MLB ‘06: The Show

The game includes many of the same features that were found in its 2005 version, only they are refined this year. A career mode lets players create their own rookie and lead them through their career, all the way to retirement, and maybe a trip to Cooperstown.

Also, The Show brings to the table a franchise mode that lets the player take complete control of a Major League Baseball organization through decades of seasons. The control freak in all of us loves this mode of play. As well, the in-game processes are some of the best and most realistic ever seen.

Career Mode in MLB 2006 is a great way to play vicariously through the career of a Major League Baseball player. The simple creation of a future Hall of Fame member is a somewhat tedious, yet fun. After a modest selection of facial features, the amount of attribute points given to fill out the rest of the player is quite a challenging and rewarding experience. After finishing the creation of a ballplayer, the player is assigned to a team and immediately begins play in the minor leagues of an organization. Training Points are given out when the young player finishes certain tasks. These points can then be used to improve the attributes of the young player.

Eventually, the young player is called up to the big leagues. This is where every at-bat is paramount. There is something romantic to have created a player and then sit back and play the game as an active competitor, but then as a spectator. The Show lets the player simulate innings and skip time until their next at bat. During career mode, it is normal to demand trades, call team meetings to improve morale, and of course, to disrupt the clubhouse by belittling teammates and coaches. The one drawback, however, is the fact that even if the ballplayer breaks career pitching and batting records, admittance into the Hall of Fame is not guaranteed, which does devalue career mode sometimes.

Franchise mode allows the player to micro-manage his or her favorite Major League Baseball team, right down to setting the prices on beer and bratwurst. The mode is quite challenging at first, as taking out a bank loan and trading away staff members with high salaries are necessities to stay in business.

The game play is solid in MLB 2006, if not great. The game forces pitching to be an art form. Hitters are smart, and the gamer must not select where the pitch will wind up, but rather where the pitch starts before it makes any possible movement. Commentary by The Show’s three-man team is exemplary. This may be one of the only games where the commentary is visceral and intelligent at the same time.