MLB™ '06: The Show Announced for PlayStation®2 and PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) System

Longest Running Officially MLB Licensed Baseball Franchise Set for Spring Training

PRNewswire
FOSTER CITY, Calif.
11/29/2005

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today MLB™ '06: The Show, available exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system. Set for a Spring 2006 release and highly anticipated, MLB '06: The Show continues to build upon the critically acclaimed franchise with new and enhanced features, providing fans with the most realistic baseball videogame available to date.

As the only officially licensed first party videogame by Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP), Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), MLB'06: The Show is set to unveil new core features and platform specific advancements. Across both the PlayStation 2 and PSP platforms, the all-new Rivalry Mode allows players to set up and maintain multi-game rivalries, while tracking stats for the life of the rivalry. For baseball fans seeking to master the art of pitching and batting, the innovative King of the Diamond Mode brings players a classic playground duel where a pitcher and batter from opposing teams square off in a head-to-head mini game that showcases the intensity of the duel.

To enhance the authenticity of the game and presentation, MLB '06: The Show combines authentic gameplay, cut scenes, animations, and a Progressive Broadcast, which adapts to current situations, providing an unrivaled broadcast simulation. Additionally, Rex Hudler joins Matt Vasgersian and Dave Campbell in a new Three-Man Booth for the most comprehensive, game-specific commentary heard in any baseball videogame.

"By presenting gamers with all the finer details and nuances from the diamond, such as personalized player rituals and batting stances, broken bats, wild pitches and check swings, MLB'06: The Show delivers a true-to-life experience," said Scott Rohde, director, sports product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "With enhanced features and new gameplay modes, MLB'06: The Show provides baseball fans with an opportunity to truly feel what it's like to play in the Bigs."

MLB'06: The Show for PlayStation 2 reports to camp with the new Game Time Decisions feature, bringing more depth to Franchise and Season Modes by providing scenarios in which users will need to take full control of their team and decide which players to place in the line up at critical times. Additionally, the new 40-Man Roster feature offers the ability to take full control of a team's roster and manage all 40 players for each and every game. For a complete package of unprecedented online options, MLB'06: The Show now offers head-to-head gameplay for both King of the Diamond and Rivalry Mode to go along with 32-team tournaments, live sports tickers, downloadable rosters, instant messaging and more. Additionally, the implementation of a new online news service provides users with MLB updates on news and events from around the league or their favorite team. Returning gameplay favorites for PlayStation 2 include, Release Point Pitching, the Pitching Confidence Meter, Guess Pitch, EyeToy™ functionality, and Career Mode with the all-new Career Spotlight feature that underscores accomplishments and showcases them in the limelight.

MLB'06: The Show for the PSP system suits up for the season with the all-new Career Mode for gamers to create a player and take them out to play anytime, anywhere, and a Season Mode that now offers multiple seasons. Users can choose their favorite team, play the regular season, advance to the playoffs, be crowned the World Series Champion and even create their own dynasty. With the new Historical Greats option, nostalgic fans of America's Pastime players can go up against baseball legends. For gamers on the go, MLB'06: The Show offers multiplayer gameplay, either locally via Ad Hoc Mode or across the nation via Infrastructure Mode. Additionally, sports fanatics can utilize the new online news service to get the latest MLB news feeds online or save them to the Memory Stick Duo™ and review them offline at their convenience.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating for MLB'06: The Show is "RP" for "Rating Pending." For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era. PSP is a new portable entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Paul Murphy of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.,
+1-858-824-5963, or paul_murphy@playstation.sony.com; or Eric Raymond for Sony
Computer Entertainment America Inc., +1-310-854-4841, or eraymond@bncpr.com

Web site: http://www.bigleaguers.com/

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/