MLB® '06 The Show Pitches the Complete Game for the PlayStation®2 and PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) System

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the launch of MLB® '06 The Show, available exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system. Now available in stores, MLB '06 The Show is the only officially licensed first party video game by Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP), Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) and the League's Players Association (MLBPA).

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a )

In order to provide players with an unrivaled simulation and broadcast presentation, MLB '06 The Show serves up the perfect blend of authentic gameplay, cut scenes and now more than 3,000 individual player animations, including personalized stances, pitching animations, individual swings, batting rituals and pitcher release points. Additionally, Rex Hudler joins Matt Vasgersian and Dave Campbell for a new Three-Man Booth to go along with a Progressive Broadcast to deliver the most comprehensive, game-specific commentary heard in any baseball videogame.

For fans seeking a quick, arcade-style mini-game, the innovative King of the Diamond Mode takes the classic pitcher vs. batter duel and highlights the intricacies of the showdown in a head-to-head, time-based challenge. Plus, MLB'06 The Show now offers online head-to-head gameplay in both King of the Diamond and Exhibition Modes, along with a new user-friendly online community complete with downloadable rosters, instant messaging, live sports tickers and an online news service providing users with news from the League or their favorite team.

"With advancements to Career, Franchise and Online Modes, as well as an unrivaled broadcast simulation, MLB'06 The Show has raised the level of authenticity and realism and further solidified its position as the most true-to-life game in the market," said Scott Rohde, director, sports product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We're excited to provide baseball fans with an opportunity to truly feel what it's like to play in the Big Leagues."

Top MLB players are literally at a player's finger tips with the new Rivalry Mode for MLB '06 The Show on PlayStation 2, where players can set up and maintain multi-game rivalries and track all the stats for the ultimate bragging rights. Additionally, players will be able to utilize new features such as User Control Slides and new Multi-Branch Fielding to control runners and fielders as they attempt to make or avoid double plays. Controlled access to the full 40-man rosters will help players respond to new Game Time Decisions in Franchise and Season Modes, as players will be presented with scenarios where they need to closely manage their teams to succeed. Favorite returning features include EyeToy™ functionality, Release Point Pitching, Pitching Confidence Meter, Guess Pitch, Career Mode, and more.

MLB '06 The Show for the PSP system steps to the plate as the premiere portable baseball simulation. Gaming on the go is a snap as multiplayer Ad Hoc Mode allows quick wireless match ups between local players, while the multiplayer Infrastructure Mode allows players to compete across the nation and take advantage of the Online News Service to stay on top of MLB news from around the country. With the Memory Stick Duo™ users can save news updates to review at a later time. And now that the highly desired Career Mode is available on the portable platform, MLB '06 The Show lets users create a player to take out and play anytime, anywhere, or test their skills against the best in the history of the game with the Historical Greats option.

This year's cover athlete, Boston Red Sox® Designated Hitter David Ortiz, affectionately know as "Big Papi" by the Red Sox Nation™, joined a hallowed group of MLB All-Stars that have graced the cover of the popular baseball simulation, including last years cover athlete, Los Angeles Angels™ All-Star, Vladimir Guerrero. In 2004, Ortiz put up MVP worthy stats during his first All-Star season (91 extra base hits, 139 RBI and 41 HR), and he looks to continue to put up those types of numbers this year.

Marketing efforts for MLB '06 The Show include a multi-million dollar marketing campaign across TV, radio, print and online, that will run nationally throughout the entire Major League Baseball® season. Additionally, MLB '06 The Show will receive full public relations and promotional support, as well as dedicated point-of-purchase displays and merchandising support.

The Independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates MLB '06 The Show "E" for "Everyone." 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/

NOTE: Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. Visit the official website at MLB.com. © MLBPA-Official Licensee, Major League Baseball Players Association. Visit www.MLBPLAYERS.com, the Players Choice on the web. © 2005 by STATS, Inc. Any commercial use or distribution of the Licensed Materials without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited. Silver Bat is a trademark of Hillerich & Bradsby Co., Louisville, KY. Rolaids Relief Man Reward is a registered trademark of Warner-Lambert, a Pfizer Company.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, 1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840

SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Paul Murphy, +1-858-824-5963, or
paul_murphy@playstation.sony.com, or Ron Eagle, +1-858.824.5585, or
ron_eagle@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment America
Inc.

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