MLB 06 The Show Pitches the Complete Game for the Playstation 2 and PSP

February 28, 2006

MLB® ’06
The Show Pitches the Complete Game for the Playstation 2 and PSP

Longest Running Officially Licensed Baseball
Franchise Takes the Mound and Delivers Core Gameplay Enhancements and All-New
Features

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
announced today the launch of MLB® ’06 The Show, available exclusively for the
PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PSP. Now available in stores,
MLB ’06 The Show is the only officially licensed first party video game by Major
League Baseball Properties (MLBP), Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM)
and the League’s Players Association (MLBPA).

In order to provide players with an unrivaled
simulation and broadcast presentation, MLB ’06 The Show serves up the perfect
blend of authentic gameplay, cut scenes and now more than 3,000 individual
player animations, including personalized stances, pitching animations,
individual swings, batting rituals and pitcher release points. Additionally, Rex
Hudler joins Matt Vasgersian and Dave Campbell for a new Three-Man Booth to go
along with a Progressive Broadcast to deliver the most comprehensive,
game-specific commentary heard in any baseball videogame.

For fans seeking a quick, arcade-style mini-game,
the innovative King of the Diamond Mode takes the classic pitcher vs. batter
duel and highlights the intricacies of the showdown in a head-to-head,
time-based challenge. Plus, MLB’06 The Show now offers online head-to-head
gameplay in both King of the Diamond and Exhibition Modes, along with a new
user-friendly online community complete with downloadable rosters, instant
messaging, live sports tickers and an online news service providing users with
news from the League or their favorite team.

“With advancements to Career, Franchise and
Online Modes, as well as an unrivaled broadcast simulation, MLB’06 The Show has
raised the level of authenticity and realism and further solidified its position
as the most true-to-life game in the market,” said Scott Rohde, director, sports
product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. “We’re excited to
provide baseball fans with an opportunity to truly feel what it’s like to play
in the Big Leagues.”

Top MLB players are literally at a player’s
finger tips with the new Rivalry Mode for MLB ’06 The Show on PlayStation 2,
where players can set up and maintain multi-game rivalries and track all the
stats for the ultimate bragging rights. Additionally, players will be able to
utilize new features such as User Control Slides and new Multi-Branch Fielding
to control runners and fielders as they attempt to make or avoid double plays.
Controlled access to the full 40-man rosters will help players respond to new
Game Time Decisions in Franchise and Season Modes, as players will be presented
with scenarios where they need to closely manage their teams to succeed.
Favorite returning features include EyeToy functionality, Release Point
Pitching, Pitching Confidence Meter, Guess Pitch, Career Mode, and more.

MLB ’06 The Show for the PSP system steps to the
plate as the premiere portable baseball simulation. Gaming on the go is a snap
as multiplayer Ad Hoc Mode allows quick wireless match ups between local
players, while the multiplayer Infrastructure Mode allows players to compete
across the nation and take advantage of the Online News Service to stay on top
of MLB news from around the country. With the Memory Stick Duo users can save
news updates to review at a later time. And now that the highly desired Career
Mode is available on the portable platform, MLB ’06 The Show lets users create a
player to take out and play anytime, anywhere, or test their skills against the
best in the history of the game with the Historical Greats option.

This year’s cover athlete, Boston Red Sox®
Designated Hitter David Ortiz, affectionately know as “Big Papi” by the Red Sox
Nation™, joined a hallowed group of MLB All-Stars that have graced the cover of
the popular baseball simulation, including last years cover athlete, Los Angeles
Angels™ All-Star, Vladimir Guerrero. In 2004, Ortiz put up MVP worthy stats
during his first All-Star season (91 extra base hits, 139 RBI and 41 HR), and he
looks to continue to put up those types of numbers this year.

Marketing efforts for MLB ’06 The Show include a
multi-million dollar marketing campaign across TV, radio, print and online, that
will run nationally throughout the entire Major League Baseball® season.
Additionally, MLB ’06 The Show will receive full public relations and
promotional support, as well as dedicated point-of-purchase displays and
merchandising support.

The Independent Entertainment Software Rating
Board (ESRB) rates MLB ’06 The Show “E” for “Everyone.” For more information
about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.

Visit us on the Web at

http://www.us.playstation.com
.

 

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Players Association. Visit www.MLBPLAYERS.com, the Players Choice on the web.
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Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.