Dean

Baseball

I've never understood Baseball. I get the general premise: You pitch a ball to the hitter, and he tries to hit it. He then makes his way, in a circular fashion, from home base to first, second, third, and eventually home again.

So its basically rounders, for big boys.

While im just ignorant enough to say it's shit when compared to Cricket as a spectator sport, im North American enough to understand why its the national pastime.

Hot summers days, sitting with your Dad, among another 40,000 people. Having a Coke and a Hot Dog, and just enjoying the relaxation of watching two teams take swings at 95 mph balls.

Sounds a little romantic eh?

Personally, I couldnt give a shit, I've much more important things to do than watch eight hours of fat Cuban's sweat it out on the field. However, after recently playing 2K Sports' latest effort, MLB2K7, I've become very much enamoured with the sport these crazy yanks love so much.

If you've read my previous 2K sports reviews, you'll know im a big fan. Great presentation, solid gameplay, and revolutionary controls that add much to the game. Take NBA 'k7's latest addition: The ability to choose which type of shot you're taking with a flick of the right analogue stick.

You want to avoid the outstretched hands of the defender, hit right on the stick, and you're player will cleverly perform a layup to the right of the defender, thus making him miss, and you score.

So what have 2K done with MLB over and above increasing the visual flair, and adding Nirvana to the soundtrack!

Analogue hitting, boys!!!!

You set up for you swing with a pullback on the right stick, and you push it forward in the direction you want to hit.

Its crazy difficult to do, as you have to line up your movement of the stick, to the position of the ball, but when you get it...Christ its impressive!

Im being a pussy right now, and opting to take the easy router.

Pressing 'A' to hit rocks my world.