Shouldn't be labeled 2006
1) Should not be called 2006, it has no statistics for the 2005 season and only reflects the team stats and trades through 2004, why is it called 2006 again? It was released in 2005 and doesn't reflect any info from 2005... sooo?
2) Lackluster appearance. Both the graphics themselves in the ballpark as well as the interface is imprecise and iffy. The characters are the best part, they are mapped well and very lifelike, but the crowds look like stick figures, the ballparks lack a sense of "depth" and overall it just doesn't feel like a true MLB experience.
3) Shotty controls: although the developers created some really nice interface options, which are unique as far as I know (mainly the "pitch guess" which allows the batter to guess the pitch that the pitcher will throw), they just don't deliver in basic mechanics. The throw meter is testy, and the "classic" style lacks any flavor whatsoever, and sadly those are the only two pitching options. Batting is imprecise and doesn't feel like you are really doing much, good batters hit, poor batters don't, it doesn't feel like you, the player, have much control.
4) Downright poor franchise mode: there were, again, some really cool features added to spice up franchise mode, such as making a profit from games by getting high turnout, or spring training, or scouting in different regions, and offering players for trade in an "auction block" format. All great features, features which SHOULD have made the franchise mode more interesting and engaging. However, these special features really can't hide the ugly interface and imprecise player data (a player is ranked in very few categories and are only given a bar to show their ability, which is totally aggrevating because you will look at the bar and ask yourself, how much better/worse is this player than that? Do I really have to get up next to the tv and count the little bars?). Players don't have very much detail about their playing ability, its tough to find how much you are paying them, and the "player cards" are just that, baseball cards, but not the data side, they only display the photo on the front of the card. While thats nice and all, when you sit down to start working on your roster you want a quick and easy way to look at all the facts about a player, including salary, so that you can make an educated decision about them, who cares if they have a cool card?
5) Overall slow pace: The commentators sound bored, they rarely have anything interesting to say, the game just seems to lack any sort of excitement. Despite the rocking music that you are awarded with when the game boots up, thats the extent of the excitement, the ride is over at that point, for when you actually get into a game the adrenaline is gone and you are left with an all-too-basic interface that lacks any serious heartpounding MLB action.
Overall, I don't recommend this game, and insist that it should be labeled "MLB 2005", a really late addition, but still 2005. If you are looking for a worthwhile MLB game, I recommend the 2K5, NOT 6, baseball experience (before they split with ESPN), that game delivers in every category, and while it doesn't have so many secondary features, it has a strong and exciting interface that will leave you wanting more. --Please note, I have not tried slugfest or "The show" series, I have tried MVP 05, 2K5, 2K6, and this. MVP is very nice and simple, 2K5 is in depth, looks great, and delivers, and MLB 2006 is neither simple enough for good clean fun, nor is it exciting enough for heart pounding action, overall it simply doesn't deliver in the end.