Common Sense Media Review
Solid play marred by a few strikeouts; for tweens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2K6 is fully juiced with innumerable player statistics and ways to tweak the plays. Gamers will be able to field all of the 2006 players in accurate representations of all the major league ballparks. MLB 2K6 even throws in teams from the World Baseball Classic, a handful of historical teams, and a choice of throwback uniforms.
One of the game's nicest features is the Inside Edge, a \"scouting report\" that players can purchase to fill in information about how opponents play, including things like where a pitcher might try to throw the ball against a given batter at a particular pitch count.
Is It Any Good?
Graphics and sound are both uneven. In some situations, players move realistically and sport stunningly accurate physiognomies. Yet some in-game videos look like they're from a previous console generation, and player animations can be choppy and robotic. Announcers occasionally lag behind the action or get simple things wrong, like the pitch count.
Controls are initially daunting, but players who are 8 and up are likely to learn them fairly easily. They eventually provide a nice sense of control, particularly in the duels between pitchers and batters. Controlling the fielders is a chore; they often move slowly and clumsily, making field action feel sluggish and muted. Overall, MLB 2K6 has some rough edges, but with so many options, control features, and play modes, it will likely impress anyone with an interest in video game baseball, from casual fans to obsessed devotees.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the link between sports and consumerism. Does playing sports games make you want to own other sports-related gear -- or make you aware of other things you can buy? Are ads in sports games just part of creating a realistic experience, or are game makers attempting to sell things to young players? Parents can also use this game to talk about good sportsmanship and online etiquette.
Game Details
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