Important Health Warning: MVP Baseball 2005

I'm here to provide an important service to you this morning. So please, take heed:

MVP Baseball 2005 is dangerous. I injured myself playing it (The PS2 version. Maybe XBox is safer. I don't know.).

I'm not sure exactly how, but, laying on my bed playing the game, I've somehow injured my back. That was over a week ago. And it's still not right.

I suspect this has something to do with life trying to shake some sense into me. You see, I'm 31. And I play video games. Still. I think the back injury was life's way of saying: "Dude. You're 31. And you play video games. Still."

But there are worse things, right? And besides, MVP Baseball 2005 is an excellent baseball game. Here's a quick rundown:

Gameplay

Outstanding. EA added a little wrinkle where the ball briefly changes color coming out of the pitcher's hand, giving you a split-second to read the pitch as it barrels towards you. Hitting, pitching and fielding are all intuitive and fun. Base running is a little more hairy, especially on an extra-base hit with runners on. It's not hard to get two guys standing on the same bag. But I suspect this will get easier with time.

I've not yet gotten into season or dynasty play, so I can't offer much of value in that area. (Do I ever offer much of value on this blog?)

Graphics

Among the best for any sports game out there. Some players are very recognizable (Sammy Sosa). Some look like that guy from "Mask" (Jeremy Burnitz). All the stadiums look great. All the animations are fluid and realistic. Terrific look overall.

Bells and Whistles

I messed around with the Create-a-Stadium feature in ownership mode. Disappointing. There aren't many basic stadiums to choose from--four, I think--and customization is very, very limited from there. Stadiums matter more in baseball than in any other sport. EA did a half-assed effort here, and just have just left it out.

Biggest Disappointment

(Besides the back injury, I mean.) Major League Baseball, in it's infinite wisdom, has signed an exclusive licensing deal to ensure that, in the best interest of fans, this game will not be on the shelves next year.

Take Two interactive has sewn up exclusive rights, leaving the far more popular MVP Baseball out in the cold. Nice thinking, MLB. Is it always short-term greed over long-term good with you guys? (Hint: Yes.)

So it's very disappointing that this is likely the last installment of MVP Baseball. Take Two has a lot of work ahead of it to put up a comparable product next year. But in the meantime, if you're a baseball fan, video game player, and willing to roll the dice on long-term health, I highly recommend picking up this game.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to finish ordering that Craftmatic.