The skinny:
Last year's console baseball champ once again manages to edge out the competition…but just barely. We're fond of the new Hitter's Eye feature, which means that the ball changes color as it leaves the pitcher's hand, letting the batter know what kind of pitch is on the way to the plate. Red means breaking ball; white means fastball; green means changeup; and brown means that Randy Johnson has been into the Skoal tin again. The almighty 120-Year Dynasty mode is now complimented with a new Owner mode. Managing a team in a sport that doesn't have salary caps takes genuine business savvy, and luring in the masses with bright, shiny trinkets for those less-than-compelling matchups can keep Podunk franchises out of the red. We also like the new Create-a-Ballpark feature—our park, the picturesque Engorgement Field, is the perfect place for a twilight double-header.

Yet Another Reason To Despise Barry Bonds:
According to his contract, Bonds doesn't allow his likeness to appear in any MLB video game without his consent and a cashier's check for about a zillion dollars.

MVP's "Barry" Replacement:
A horse-faced white guy named "Jon Dowd." Mr. Dowd is 6'2" and weighs 228 lbs. He's a 40-year-old SWM. He's a Capricorn who enjoys walks on the beach, candlelit dinners, and applying the "clear" to himself as often as possible. Non-smokers only, please.

Tantalizing tidbit:
Think the ump needs a new monocle? Go ahead and scream in his ear. That's right—managers can now argue calls with umps. Just keep pressing the appropriate button on your controller and your skipper will go all Billy Martin on the nearsighted ump's ass.

And why on earth…?
…can't we play a single freaking season? Forget the 120-Year Dynasty mode; some of us want the option to play just one season, EA! One season! Is that too much to ask?

Buy, rent or run away screaming?
Buy. Since 2K Sports has a lock on the MLB license for the next seven years—that's what you get, EA, for hogging up the NFL license—look for the next MVP game to ship on Xbox 5.