Demo of MLB 2K8 now available on XBL, AWOL from PSN

6:28 PM on 03.07.2008   |   Samit Sarkar

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Today, a demo of MLB 2K8 went up on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Just like the demo of MLB 08: The Show that Sony put up on the PSN a few weeks ago, this demo allows you to play the first three innings of a game between last year’s AL and NL champions, the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies, respectively. The game is a Red Sox home game, so it takes place in the hallowed Fenway Park, the oldest stadium in baseball.

Typically, content for multiplatform games will hit both consoles in the same week. In fact, Ben Brinkman — the executive producer on MLB 2K8 — noted during a conference call that PSN and XBL demos had been submitted and would be “out soon”. That was two weeks ago, and we’ve finally got the Xbox Live demo two days after the full game came out. Doesn’t it always seem weird when that happens?

Curiously, we’ve seen neither hide nor hair of a PSN demo; it was nowhere to be found in this week’s update from Sony. I wonder if this is 2K’s fault — as in, they were late in getting the demo to Sony — or if it’s an issue on Sony’s side — as in, their certification process is taking longer than expected. Or could it perhaps be a nefarious (but smart) attempt by Sony to keep the attention on their game and away from 2K8?

Either way, there’s nothing mentioned about that in the press release (see for yourself after the jump). Hopefully, it’ll be up on the PSN next week; I’m sure there are many PS3 owners that are itching to try out MLB 2K8, especially because they can choose between it and MLB 08: The Show.

Lastly, I wanted to make note of a funny discrepancy in the press release. The very first sentence talks about fans who “eagerly await the launch” of the game, yet it was released on Tuesday, March 4th. It’s not as bad as EA’s Army of Two gaffe, but still, 2K Sports could stand to hire a copy editor...

2K Sports Announces Free Demo of Major League Baseball® 2K8 Now Available for Download on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace

While dedicated fans eagerly await the launch of the highly anticipated title, Major League Baseball® 2K8, 2K Sports today announced a free demo is now available for download through Xbox LIVE® Marketplace. Players will be able to practice their skills at Boston’s legendary Fenway Park by playing three full innings as either the Colorado Rockies or Boston Red Sox.

The free game demo will also offer fans a chance to experience the new and exciting features that Major League Baseball 2K8 brings to the virtual diamond through retooled pitching, batting, fielding and baserunning gameplay mechanics. Fans will also get a sneak peek at the stunning realism and depth of gameplay in Major League Baseball 2K8 through new Signature Style™ animations and redesigned stadiums that showcase the detail and specific architecture of each city.

Major League Baseball 2K8, rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, is now available in retail stores for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and Wii™ home video game system.

For more information about Major League Baseball 2K8, please visit www.2Ksports.com.