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Now that the MVP baseball series is taking on the college game, it did have some expectations to maintain. The graphics continue to shine with incredible cut-shot animations as well as pro-baseball quality in game effects. Watching players dive for balls and swing a bat were as if the viewer is watching ESPN-U. I was just mesmerized at the quality of graphics that the game gives. I am ashamed to admit that I missed this game the past few years. The sounds of the game also play to the real-life atmosphere of college sports. The ping of the bat and the roar of the crowd can get any person walking in the room and asking if this is a live game on the television or a video game. I found myself at times amazed that I'd want to just sit and watch the game being played by two people other than me. The fluidity of movement by many of the players as they make many routine (and even difficult) plays made this one of the most realistic games I have ever played (or watched).

What I enjoyed most about MVP 06’ was its ability to finally capture a sports game at its purest. This has everything to do with the games controls. Let’s begin with Load and Fire batting. Using the right analog stick, the gamer will need to begin timing their swings along with the pitchers. Just as you were taught back in Little League by the dad who was trying to live through his kid, the gamer also has to “keep your weight on your back foot.” As the pitcher delivers, the gamer pulls back on the right analog stick to get in his load position, and as the ball carries closer to the plate the gamer needs to launch the stick forward to hit. Properly pushing the stick in the direction of the pitch will give the hitter better results. By pulling down the left trigger, the batter can take a bigger cut, the right trigger and the hitter is looking for more contact in those tough hit and run situations. This is incredible in how it outplays the traditional press the button and swing modes of the past (though EA gives you that option).

Fielding has also improved to a quality that gives the game a more realistic tone too. I am extremely impressed with the new throwing system that allows for GAMER error, not random computer error. For throwing the ball, timing with the left analog stick is important. After making the play, the gamer has to just hold the analog stick in the direction of the base they need to throw too. Sounds easy right? Just like a 75 foot throw would seem easy to most, it does take practice. Hold the stick too long and pray you have a good fielding first baseman to dig the ball out of the dirt. Hold to short and Shaquille O’Neal isn’t coming down with the throw. This gives the baseball game a virtual feel unmatched by many.

Other controls are basically the same as MVP games of the past. Pitching is simple to pick up, but difficult to master. Not hitting the accuracy zone will cause pitches to miss in places where balls will never come back from. Though it can be tough, it is easy enough for any beginner to throw strikes. Running the bases was an area of the game I found frustrating at times. I did like the D pad control on the runners, but did have troubles having them do some of the things I wanted them too. A little more practice and I would of probably had it down as if I was running the bases myself.

MVP 06’ also had some new unique features that gave the gamer an immersion factor unmatched in many baseball games. The create-a-player mode was extremely detailed and exciting to get involved with. I usually do not indulge myself in this part of the game, but with the added fun of the game I easily became a big fan. I also enjoyed the create-a-ballpark mode that the game offered. Though it gave you standard parks to copy, the gamer had the ability to set their own dimensions to a park. Create four to twenty foot high walls, give abnormal angles to the alleys, or create short foul lines or deep center field walls. All of this was in the control of the creator, without having to put up the millions of dollars in financial backings. The dynasty mode played just as well as the modes of EA’s other collegiate games. This game can take a player many places, and if you have the time, this game is definitely worth playing.

As a college student I was fortunate enough to play collegiate baseball. Though I never made it to Omaha, I always dreamed of making the trek to college baseball’s promised land. With MVP 06’ I feel it gives me the opportunity to at least play out those dreams on my 36” television. If you are a fan of baseball and love to play the game you will really enjoy the feel and game play of this game. If you love the MVP series of games, this new one will not disappoint you. If you can get over the fact that these aren’t Major League players you will love playing this game. You will not be disappointed if you are a fan of really playing the game.