Konami's Wii Baseball Game 'Power Pros' Comes to iPhone
posted July 19th, 2009 9:25 AM EDT by Blake Patterson in $3.99, Sports, iPhone games, iPod touch games
Konami, better known for its Metal Gear and Silient Hill series, has just released Power Pros Touch [link] through the App Store, an adaptation of its popular Wii and PS2 baseball title MLB Power Pros, for the iPhone and iPod touch.
MLB Power Pros is a cartoonish take on the sport featuring cute, bobble-headed players in keeping with the style of the heretofore Japanese-only Power Pro series, which made its debut in 1994.
The game is very well reviewed, with Gamespot concluding,
Simply put, get the game for whichever system you play the most. It's a fantastic choice for anyone in the market for a fun-loving alternative to all of the other hardball sims out there, and one that doesn't skimp on statistical and physical realism in its pursuit of goofiness.
Power Pros Touch maintains the cartoonish graphics and delivers much of the home console experience to iPhone gamers. It features two play modes across three different difficulty levels. Exhibition Mode is a game against the CPU with a choice of six different teams and a certain degree of customizability. Pennant Mode allows you to customize your season, selecting 25, 50, or 162 games and choosing between 3, 6, or 9 inning per game. It's a full season experience.
Our forums readers have reacted very positively to Power Pros Touch, many calling it the best baseball game in the App Store. MicroByte writes,
I've been playing Power Pros now for a day or so and must say, I'm loving it! I've purchased the other baseball games on the App Store (except the Homerun game) and I'm honestly liking this one the best. I've always liked more arcade like baseball games as opposed to realistic ones so that's probably why I like this one.
…
Overall I would say that it's definitely worth the money for me. I've spent some decent time with the game and it's not perfect, but it's fun and that's what counts. Between this and Baseball Superstars 2009, I prefer this one. To me, the pace of the batting and fielding always seemed too fast on BS2009 whereas this one feels like I can manage things better. I also like the touch screen control better than the virtual d-pad.
The main criticism that we've heard from those who've spent significant time with the title is that the game is much too easy on the default Novice difficulty level; we'd recommend players give the Normal or Expert difficulty setting a try, for a better game experience.
The arrival of a well reviewed, big-studio home console title on the iPhone platform is always a welcome event. And baseball gaming fans, with or without prior experience with the Power Pros series, will likely find Power Pros Touch to be a title well worth considering.
See this gameplay video for a look at Power Pros Touch in action.
App Store Link: Power Pros Touch, $3.99
Maybe this very positive review will encourage Konami to make this great looking game available to Europe and Australia too, so we can enjoy it!
Jamie.
I hate to say it, but I'm waiting for the price drop. Without licensed names, Baseball Superstars seems like a much better option.
Because somehow a name on a screen makes a better game?
Sorry, I should clarify. The names aren't the deal breaker, but the depth associated with the RPG elements far exceeds being able to play a season with similar made up names and cartoon characters. Since the console version of PowerPros has this included, it shouldn't be difficult for them to port it over!
its odd they do not have it licensed because every other power pros ever (in the US and Japan) have been licensed. but i dont mind the 3 games i dreamed of when the iphone sdk was announced have come peggle, worms, and powerpros.
Spellcheck: Silent Hill not Silient Hill.
Sorry, just thought Blake would want to know.
I know there'd be some control quirks to work out, but I NEED the ability to control my fielders for a baseball game to be worth my time.
Also, does it offer landscape mode as well? It'd be nice to see a bigger chunk of the field…
Am I wrong, but does it seem like you are playing for both teams? I mean, isn't that like playing chess against yourself? Please someone correct me if I have missed something.
Wow…just got a phone call during a game and when I went back in I had to start over.
wow, that sucks. Have a huge urge to buy this (got every other one released in US), but still holding back until updated. No auto save is a big letdown imo. Is there Ipod music support?
I agree, the lack of auto save is a pain. As pointed out by another forum member, you can save the game by exiting and then resuming later on.
No, you definitely do not play for the other team, just your own.
Still liking this game, just recommend selecting expert to give a good challenge while playing.
Played a few innings and this feels like the Wii game… and I love it except for two things: one "woulda liked" and the other a HUGE makes-you-wonder-if-this-is-really-an-iPhone-game thing.
(1) I knew in advance that it's not an MLB licensed game, but I really would like to play as my beloved Cleveland Indians on an iPhone game and not have it suck (MLB World Series I'm looking in your crappy direction).
(b) The "no autosave" is huge. I play "9 Innings: Pro Baseball" one or two innings at a time… That is IMPOSSIBLE to do with Power Pros. iPhone games MUST autosave. It is germane to the platform.
I don't regret buying this game… it's really fun… but it's not an iPhone game if it doesn't autosave.
Just to nit-pick, this baseball series has been around since the SNES.
Indeed. As I mentioned in the article, 1994 was the initial release.
Sorry, my point was that it may currently be available on the Wii, but this incarnation is much more like the SNES/N64 versions. The Wii/PS2 versions as people have pointed out, are deeper and have MLB licensing.
Not in the Australian Store!?! WTF mate….. Lol
QUOTE: "Steve Sabol says:
July 19, 2009 at 5:11 pm
(b) The "no autosave" is huge. I play "9 Innings: Pro Baseball" one or two innings at a time… That is IMPOSSIBLE to do with Power Pros. iPhone games MUST autosave. It is germane to the platform.
I don't regret buying this game… it's really fun… but it's not an iPhone game if it doesn't autosave."
I would agree with Steve, that 9innings is a much better game for playability. the ability to sit down and play a miniscule amount at any one time is critical for me and any game. Most of us do not have 45 min blocks to sit down and play a full game through to the end. I will stick with 9 innings pro.
i want wii golf!
Are you kidding me- the actual download take 4ever. Again, get phone calls and the whole game needs to reset. Terrible experience. Get the gamevil game- baseball slugger for cheaper.
You'll have to wait and see if Konami releases a "EU" version of Power Pros Touch.
Alll of the Konami games on the Australian store have "(EU) " in their title.