Shipped just a few months after the Sony PSP’s initial release, EA Sports brings one of its most beloved baseball franchise to the new portable gaming machine. This year’s MVP Baseball game had reached new heights of greatness on the major consoles so when it was quickly announced that it would show up for the PSP ball fans couldn’t be happier. Sure Sony’s MLB is a solid baseball game that’s done right but it’s MVP Baseball that will have you playing this one for a long time to come.

I should say, straight off the bat, that MVP Baseball is not the complete package of its older PS2 brother. The exclusion of Spring Training Mode or the in-depth Owner Mode is felt the minute you see the usual exhibition mode, Season and Home Run Showdown. In fact, this is what pretty much cripples the game ... the limited game mode choices. Yet the game’s biggest strengths are what manage to shine through the negatives and there are plenty of strengths in this one.

Among the game’s strengths is the gameplay that -pleasantly enough - feels like the console version. Pitching, for example, uses the curved Swing Meter that allows you to control the release of the pitch and where within the zone you’d like to throw it. Time it just right and you’ll get some impressive results but miss the hot zone on the meter and watch it go wild. You’ll even have to watch your pitcher’s stamina. Yes, it’s just like the console version and it works just as well here. On the field you can rob a homer by climbing the fences or make a sliding catch. While the analog stick can sometimes make tagging bases somewhat awkward it doesn’t get in the way of making great plays.

Baserunning is also done right in this game; although batting - thanks to the camera - has become a timing game with not the best view of the release. This means you’ll have to time your swing each time but the more you play the more you’ll become accustomed to hitting. You’ll find that you’ll hit more than a few doubles in this game and even a few homers (even from the weakest hitters on your team). This doesn’t mean, however, that this is an easy game. The opponent AI is still able to give you quite a workout and they’ll even surprise you with some truly spectacular plays. While the game’s Rookie mode is just too easy the other modes will give you enough of a challenge that you’ll be glad you can save your game even in the middle of an intense inning.

As far as the game modes are concerned, Home Run Showdown is downright fun and play enough exhibition games and you’ll earn yourself enough MVP Points to unlock goodies like new classic stadiums, retro jerseys and legendary players like Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and even Babe Ruth. You can even create your own players and place them on your favorite team. Season mode, thankfully enough, has you taking your team through a full season to take them all the way to the World Series. Sure it might not beat the Owner mode in the console version but there are enough options to make it a really thrilling season of baseball. There’s also head-to-head multiplayer that allows you to play an exhibition match against a friend while Party Play mode lets you and up to four friends to compete in Home Run Showdown.

On the PSP, MVP Baseball is one good-looking game that boasts some pretty detailed player models and stadiums. It not only feels like the console games but it also looks like it and judging by how close the more recognizable players (like A-Rod, for instance) look like the real deal you’ll see what I mean. There’s even a healthy amount of player animations so you won’t see a player get struck out the same way each time although each home run is treated with fireworks. There are even the player introductions and a picture-in-picture view of players striking out.

Sound-wise the game manages to cram plenty of sound effects that range from the crowds going wild when their team pulls off great plays to the sound of a bat connecting with a ball. The sound comes so close to capturing the sound of a televised that even the play-by-play and color commentary sounds great. It’s good to hear Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper’s running commentary and even more so when it's on-the-spot. There’s but one weak spot when it comes to the sound and it’s the licensed tunes. For the most part, a lot of what we hear is just Ok, but the rest really isn’t my cup of tea. Fortunately you can cut the songs you don’t like and, believe me, you’ll remove a good portion of these tunes.

If it's a portable baseball game that plays just as good as the console versions and adds all the right elements that make it an addictive experience you crave then MVP Baseball on the PSP is the game for you. It’s not entirely perfect but it does get a lot of the things we love about EA Sports baseball game right.  Both MLB and MVP Baseball are great games so if you’re a hardcore sports gamer you might want to consider buying both. If you can buy only one buy MVP Baseball for its tight gameplay and great wireless multiplayer mode.

Gameplay: 9.0
Okay, some of your favorite modes don’t make the cut in the portable version but the game still plays excellently despite a few rough spots centered on the analog stick. Whether you’re pitching, swinging or fielding the game just doesn’t get any better than this. Like MLB, this is fun portable baseball.

Graphics: 8.5
MVP Baseball is a downright good-looking game on the PSP and you’ll see it the second the main menu screen pops up. The player models are sharp and beautiful and the player animations are plentiful. While the view can sometimes get just a tad too tiny you won’t miss any of the action. Good job. 

Sound: 8.0
Surprisingly enough the play-by-play and color commentary is spot-on throughout the game and the sound effects are just satisfyingly well detailed to the point that you’ll hear the bat make contact with the ball. The soundtrack, on the other hand, just doesn’t cut it. Just how many more EA Sports games on the PSP will feature the same song from The Zutons?

Difficulty: Medium
Somehow the Rookie difficulty setting seems way too much easier than the console version so you’ll want to try another setting if you’re looking for a better challenge but either way the opponent AI is smart enough to make some pretty exceptional plays without seeming unfair.  

Concept: 8.0
You’ll wish they included Spring Training Mode but at least there are plenty of unlockable goodies like classic stadiums, retro jerseys and legendary players like The Babe. Add Home Run Showdown and a wireless multiplayer option that works beautifully and we’ve got a baseball game worth playing. 

Multiplayer: 8.5
Up to four players can go up against each another in Home Run Showdown in the Party Play mode or go head-to-head against a friend using the Ad Hoc connection. Either way the multiplayer mode runs smoothly enough.

Overall: 8.3
MVP Baseball might not feel like the complete package the console version offers, but it’s still one of the most genuinely enjoyable and solid ballgames on the PSP. Sure you’ll miss the features found on the bigger boys (Owner Mode or even Spring Training Mode) but there’s just no denying how good this game feels in your hands.