With MLB 2K8, players finally get to experience the art of pitching. You’ll see how a perfectly thrown curveball can make a batter’s knees buckle, and you’ll also find out what goes through a pitcher’s mind when a ball slips out of their fingers, hangs in the strike zone, and ends up in Earth’s orbit. Developer 2K Los Angeles has done an amazing job of capturing these elements in the retooling of the pitching mechanic. Using the right analog stick to mimic the throwing motion creates a more skillful exercise that adds varying degrees of difficulty to the execution of each pitch type. To throw a curveball, you’ll need to pull back on the analog, then rotate it in a forward motion to apply spin. The better you are at mimicking the required motion, the better the pitch and its placement. If you are off slightly, your pitch will break less, and will likely be off target as well. If you are way off, there’s a good chance you’ll throw a wild pitch, hit the batter, or serve up a meatball.

Given how greatly you have to focus on each individual pitch, MLB 2K8’s pitching does require some serious skill. On the other hand, batting will seem much easier, and it’s not because a new system has been implemented. Rather 2K has improved its technology, meaning a batter, who could only make contact on three frames last year, can now get the bat on the ball on 13 to 16 frames. This subtle tweak allows players to feel more comfortable, as they can foul off pitches and adjust their timing to hit to the opposite field. Similar polish has also been added to fielding. The player’s movements are more realistic, and the ball itself now has noticeable weight, which transitions into grounders taking erratic hops, and Texas Leaguers dropping in the shallow outfield rather than being caught. All across the diamond, this is an incredibly well-made game that is a true test of player skill.

Developers are often criticized for seemingly doing as little as possible from one year to the next with their sports games. That is not the case with NBA 2K8. It's superior to last year's game in almost every way; there's loads of new content and the gameplay is better than ever.

2K8 boasts some impressive options, but how the game plays is most impressive. The signature jump shots in last year's game were nice, but this year, Visual Concepts has raised the bar with signature style animations. There are countless new layups, dribble moves, passes, and dunks. These new animations complement the already great-looking jump shots. You'll be amazed at how realistically the game plays and moves. The CPU does a great job of taking advantage of all these signature moves by making the players play just as they would in real life. Even though we were on the wrong end of the beating, we were dazzled as Steve Nash threw no-look passes, squeezed bounce passes through tiny openings, and drove the lane with reckless abandon. Other players are just as lethal in the game as they are in real life. Shaq's an absolute terror near the basket, throwing down vicious dunks over anyone who stands between him and the hoop; Kobe will take over a game, owning entire quarters at a time; while LeBron will beat you with his passing and scoring. It's one of those things you've got to see in action to truly appreciate how everything comes together.

It is rare to find a sports game where you're in awe of the moves you see onscreen, but it's something that happens routinely with 2K8. Rather than get upset about how the CPU is picking you apart, you'll find yourself admiring how it happened and then resolving to return the favor the next time down the court. Whether you're a casual basketball fan or a total hoops nut, this is the game for you.

PrizeFighter seems like it will be the FIX for those who have been waiting for a boxing game. With 30 active fighters and Jim Lampley behind the commentating, you can't go wrong, but this is what we expect from 2K Sports since they always deliver when it comes to presentation and gameplay.