Pro Spirit 2026
-
@the_joneser_psn I had one of their games way back on PS4. I had been waiting for a digital release since I went digital with the PS5.
-
@fubar2k7_PSN, ah... yeah, tough to get around that region lock without a physical disc. I'd actually wanted a digital only PS5, but only had stock of disc models when I bought... which I'm quite glad of, now.
The 2024-2025 version is a really good game. I don't know how well those who really like the collecting part of DD will take to it, but certainly for anyone who plays mostly offline (especially franchise), it's a must have.
-
@the_joneser_psn I had to set up a Japanese PSN to get the game to work. I only knew I could even do this because my cousin lives in Japan. He sent me the game and told me what to do in order to play.
I would have done the same as you if needed but was lucky to get the digital at launch then traded it for the digital pro model. I pre-reserved it though which is how I got one.
I agree on what you said about DD crowd not playing. I basically play DD on the side but usually run 2 franchises. I’m not doing it because of this game. Not much for a retired person these days.
-
@fubar2k7_PSN, Nice. I hope they have Pro support on the new game for you...
With the physical discs, now, you don't need a Japanese account; it's all unlocked and even updates just fine... just needed to lean heavily on Google Translator when I started playing (but now I at least know the positions, and the difference between a right and left hander). The online H2H features are region-locked, though.
I think you'll really like the Season mode on this new one coming up... I can't stop playing it. Just light years ahead where gameplay is concerned, and quite customizable. And playing with Ichiro and Matsui is pretty fun, too.
-
Please tell me this game is on Xbox to. I'm done with the show. I've been playing for along time and this might be the worst game yet.
-
@The_Joneser_PSN It says Pro enhanced. I figured I would be fine since it’s in the store. I just pre ordered it. I have visited my cousin and his family a few times and have been to some Hanshin Tigers games. That’s the local team near his house. So I get some Japanese words but I’m hoping they have the same thing this game does with languages and lets you somehow swap the language.
-
@Redman20806765_XBL I don’t see why it wouldn’t be. It’s on presale in the PlayStation store. Check your store and see if it’s available.
-
@fubar2k7_PSN, I didn't even see that it has said Pro enhanced... maybe it's time to pick one up!
I've only been to Japan once, way back in 2008 (I made a trip around the A's vs. Redsox in the Tokyo Dome). I took in a game at Meiji Jingu, but would have loved to see the Tigers play at Koshien... just too far from where we were (and there were non-baseball things to do, also).
@Redman20806765, sadly, no XBox title. XBox does pretty poorly in Japan... it will be released on Steam for PC, though.
-
Demo is probs 50% of what the full game will be. PYS 24-25 is true next gen. The show has much better fielding…pitching and batting is easily PYS.
-
@the_joneser_psn Awesome that you did make a trip out there. My cousin went to teach English while in college way back in the early 2000s and ended up falling for one of his co-workers. He’s been there ever since.
The PS5 Pro is definitely worth the extra money. I can see a lot of differences even in this game with the lighting in the stadiums. I can read the scoreboards better because everything looks much cleaner. I upgraded just before last years game. The pro features are obviously much better for something like Crimson Desert. I wanted to get ahead of GTA VI when I upgraded to the pro.
-
Please tell me this game is on Xbox to. I'm done with the show. I've been playing for along time and this might be the worst game yet.
Nope, Microsoft isnt very popular in Japan/Asia.
Won't be on Nintendo either tho. -
Demo is probs 50% of what the full game will be. PYS 24-25 is true next gen. The show has much better fielding…pitching and batting is easily PYS.
The demo is probably closer to 20-25% what the July game will be.
-
Graphics are trash but maybe it plays well, but im a DD player in MLB The Show, so, it cant compete there obviously.
-
Graphics are trash
Did we play the same game? It blows MLBTS out of the water graphically, and with ball physics etc.
I agree on the DD thing...but then again the whole Ultimate Team thing (aside from FIFA in Europe) isn't overly popular outside of North America
-
The show has much better fielding…
I don't know about this... I think The Show has better fielding controls, where Spirits is a bit too simplified, but Spirits has a better grasp of which balls a fielder can and can't get to and how quickly a defense can move the ball around; the consideration of time and distance relative to ball velocity is much more realistic and better reflects the real game. The Show is more fluid, at times (though there are some really nice touches in Spirits), but just that defense on Spirits considers fielder momentum and the need to stop, plant, and then throw in most situations makes the experience better, from my perspective.
Graphics are trash...
This is just dumb. The pitcher/batter screens are much better in Spirits, as is the dirt, but grass looks better in The Show, as well as more polished stadiums, overall. Again, defense is more fluid in The Show with all of the animations, but Spirits isn't hampered by animations that negate your input (they get underhand flips right, and you aren't hampered by lackadaisical animations in urgent situations).
... but im a DD player in MLB The Show, so, it cant compete there obviously.
Yes. It isn't that kind of game. It's a baseball simulation, not a card-collection simulation with arcade-style play that over emphasizes batted-ball velocity.
-
I have not really commented, but I don't agree with all of your points.
For those who say the Graphics are better.... I just don't get it. But graphics are in the eye of the beholder.
Yes. It isn't that kind of game. It's a baseball simulation
I would argue it is not a simulation in the strictest sense. Sure you may find the gameplay closer to real baseball but, in my opinion, once user skill is the primary factor it ceases to become a true simulation. Any version of a sports game where you control the pitcher, hitter and fielders is an arcade game.
It's great that gamers will have a choice but I can't see Pro Spirits every being anything but a niche player in the sport. Most gamers want to play with the MLB licensed teams, players and stadiums.
-
Okay. Something of a semantics argument, but technically you’re correct on the sim part; it isn’t a simulation in the way that Out of the Park Baseball is (more of a computer model), but it does focus on more realistic gameplay and generating realistic results (so more an imitation of a real-world process)… and an arcade-style game is one that pushes an adrenaline fueled, fast-action gameplay with little attention to realism (actually embracing a departure from it). NBA Jam was an arcade game. NBA 2K much less so. MLBTS has become an arcade game.
Graphically, not sure where you’re coming from (unless you’re using the free ebaseball offering as your source, which doesn’t face-map and lacks realistic textures). MLBTS, while offering decent detail, lacks sharpness and realistic textures. Konami’s models offer more realism.
And you’re likely right that Spirits 2026 will occupy a niche segment of the market, at least for now. Konami does have an MLB licensed mobile game, so this may very well be the first step toward building an audience, with MLB licensing to follow in coming years. That could change allegiance for many, but Americans tend to like American things, so an NPB offering will indeed be niche.
Still, I get it… not for everyone. But a great offering for those who are tired of the juiced-up home run fest that this game has become, and disappointed in the direction the franchise has taken. I will miss the game—or the memories of how much I used to look forward to it—and I’ll miss this forum… I can’t keep hanging around here and talking about another game forever. I may not like MLBTS much anymore, but there are enough people actually playing the game to [censored] on it without me adding to that while playing something else.
-
@dolenz_psn I use Dynamic and my pitching staff is from 1910. Through 78 games my ERA is 2.23 and I don’t tweak the sliders because it’ll minimize Gameplay XP which I want for DD progress. I’m on pace for about 350 homeruns as a team.
-
@Dolenz_PSN said:
Any version of a sports game where you control the pitcher, hitter and fielders is an arcade game.Sorry, politely respectfully disagree.
-
@Dolenz_PSN said:
Any version of a sports game where you control the pitcher, hitter and fielders is an arcade game.Sorry, politely respectfully disagree.
That's fine.
As someone who has spent time with a game like Out Of The Park Baseball my definition of simulation is probably stricter than others.
