)[4] "Influence hitting" allowed users to control fly and ground balls, and bunt with improved precision.

[3] Baserunning control has been simplified; a player only needs to hold down the trigger until it vibrates, for instance, then release it when ready to attempt a steal.

Players graphically move from the dugout to the batter's box, from the bullpen to the mound, warm up by throwing around the horn, swing the bat in the on deck circle, run out to their positions, and so forth.

[4] Players will react properly to such events as a walk-off home run, a no-hitter or a World Series celebration.

[8] The game has been updated with an MLB.com-licensed in-game "Virtual Director" website featuring a presentation style similar to NBA 2K9, where the user may check up on league events, trade rumors, player and team performances.

The game boasts a new level of CPU customization, multi-player functionality, and real player ambitions; for example, Milton Bradley can decline a contract because of lack of playing time, not for monetary considerations.

[5] MLB 2K9 has a new broadcasting team with Gary Thorne providing the play-by-play and Steve Phillips filling in the color commentary.

[10] 2008 NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants is the cover athlete for 2K9, replacing José Reyes.

The patch has addressed many issues, but most notably the AI batting aggression and the ease of home runs in online mode and certain difficulties.

[15] The high expectations for MLB 2K9 resulted in disappointment, as 2K9 actually received worse average reviews than its derided predecessor, 2K8.

GameSpot complained, "Either MLB 2K9 shipped in a half-finished state or the developers have never seen a baseball, much less thrown one around," citing bizarre gameplay and noting the game was "crammed with bugs.

"[20] 1UP.com called it "...a game that tries so hard to prove that the series is progressing, but ignores fixing the issues that have plagued it for years: poor defense, sloppy animations, and catering to the home run..."[18][19] IGN stated, "Major League Baseball 2K9 fixes some of the issues from the past and sets the groundwork for a great game, but there are far too many bugs to recommend.

[21] IGN's review of the Wii version had some diametrically opposed criticism of 2K9, stating it was too easy to strike out hitters with too-precise pitching, as well as a "laughable" franchise mode that featured 1 year, $40 million salaries for players like Danys Báez and no online play despite promises for one after 2K8 was released.

IGN gave Major League Baseball 2K9 Fantasy All-Stars a 6.2 out of 10, deeming it a significant step up from its predecessor and citing the improvements made to pitching and touch controls as positives.