Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Kush Games, Visual Concepts
Genre: Sports
Release Date: February 27, 2007
Platforms: PSP, Playstation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, GBA
Official Site
MLB 2k7 Gallery

Each year sports games become more realistic. Sadly, that often means some tweaked graphics and some additional off the field activities like going to the barber shop in Madden NFL 07. However, 2k Sports is bringing some more realism to the baseball diamond with its upcoming release, MLB 2k7. 2k Sports has touted a strong lineup of titles in recent years and is gathering a lot of support from the general gaming community. MLB 2k7 promises to build on the momentum the publisher has with the most realistic baseball title ever released.

One way in which 2k Sports hopes to develop a lifelike gaming experience will be through the addition of 150 unique signature styles that will reflect the moves of their real life counterparts. Nomar Garciaparra will adjust his batting gloves incessantly between pitches and Ichiro will give his signature stretch before slapping a weak grounder through the gap between short and third. Pitchers will also have more realistic deliveries and home run trots have even been catered to fit the actual movements of the gloating super stars. There is no word yet if Barry Bonds will have his “signature style” of pill popping, but his head will be adequately large in the virtual world.

Defensively, MLB 2k7 promises to offer more accurate defensive setups and A.I. will automatically shift to accommodate certain hitters. This means we’ll see all 7 players on the first base side of the pitcher’s mound when David Ortiz is up to bat or Alfonso Soriano playing a shift against Barry Bonds by kayaking out to McCovey Cove in San Francisco. In all seriousness, the new defensive A.I. should keep games from getting out of hand as shifts will no longer allow pull hitters to exploit gaps in the field as easily and continue hitting to their power alleys. That said, “Inside Edge” will encourage users to play to the strengths of their pitchers and hitters, as they will receive rewards for playing the game closer to how things should be played. I’m not sure yet if this will mean Vladimir Guerrero should swing at pitches four feet out of the strike zone, but if 2k Sports is really dedicated to realism, they’ll allow him to hit those pitches 450 feet still.

For the nerds in the crowd, and really who isn’t a nerd that reads a preview on a game released annually with minor updates, there will be revamped ownership responsibilities for the teams. Features will include the possibility to set ticket prices, read news, listen to the latest fan buzz and monitor attendance, all factoring into the overall success of the franchise. That said, I apologize to anyone who plays as the Kansas City Royals, you will not have a fan buzz as it would require multiple people to attend a baseball game.

MLB 2k7 will tout a strong soundtrack with its newest release and bands will include Nirvana, Sublime, The Stooges, Pixies, 311, Wolfmother, The Specials, Tapes ‘n Tapes, DFA 1979 and Thermals.

MLB 2k7 releases February 27 and will feature New York Yankee Derek Jeter on the cover again this year.