MLB Power Pros Headed to the U.S.

An announcement from 2K Sports and Konami confirmed details of the popular Japanese game's U.S. release.

The previously rumored baseball game MLB Power Pros moved a little closer to reality Friday with an official announcement from 2K Sports and Konami, and a loose release date set sometime in the fall for North America. The companies confirmed details of the game, along with its availability on both Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2.

Unlike most other professional sports games, Japan’s Power Pros franchise discards realism, favoring cartoony characters and exaggerated expressions. Despite the goofy treatment, Konami says players will still be able to recognize their favorite players and landmarks.

“For years, Konami’s Power Pro Baseball has been Japan’s No. 1 baseball game, in sales and fan ratings,” said Konami CEO Kazumi Kitaue, in a statement. “Now, in an excellent partnership with 2K Sports, it is with great pleasure that we bring Power Pro Baseball to the North American market as MLB Power Pros, where this great sport was born.”

The title will feature two game play modes: season and success. In season mode, players will become MLB team managers who control training, equipment purchases, trades, and more. In the less traditional success mode, players become college baseball players attempting to make it to the major league. Besides dealing with baseball, they will also have to juggle academics, part-time jobs, and social situations.