Interface

Neither of these games offer a stellar interface, though The Show is far more consistent than 2K8. The 2K team really needs to hire an interface expert as the front-end for every one of their sports games is a mess. The Show is straightforward and consistent from screen to screen, whereas 2K8 is chaotic. The “A” button may advance you on one screen, but not on the next.

Winner: The Show

Multiplayer

Both games offer a wide-variety of multiplayer options, including league play, but both suffer from game-killing lag. Not acceptable! However, after numerous games, I can safely say that The Show is less lame than 2K8. Simply put, 2K8 is UNPLAYABLE. It's a joke without a punchline.

Winner: The Show

Baseball Feel

This is a pretty open category as it comprises a lot of intangible aspects. One of those aspects is atmosphere. The Show has little additions like fans trying to snag foul balls, at least when they aren't batting around a beach ball. Stadiums in MLB 2K8 look a little more detailed and lush. Statistics are much deeper in The Show and offer a superior historical context. Baseball physics is a close call, but I'm giving the edge to The Show as it just “feels” right, whereas 2K8 can feel forced and, thanks to the crap graphics engine, unrealistic.

Winner: The Show

Value

Let me cut straight to the chase: neither of these games is worth $60. Each has so much carry-over from last year that the price-tag is simply a rip-off if you have the previous incarnation. As it stands, you're paying a premium price for an upgrade, though in the case of MLB 2K8, you're actually paying for a downgrade. At least The Show is offering a lot of enhancements, which isn't something I can say for 2K8.

Winner: The Show

Final Analysis

If you're a fan of Baseball then you really only have one choice: MLB 08 The Show. If you're an Xbox 360 owner, well, you don't really have a choice, thanks to the horrible concept of exclusivity contracts, which should be abolished at the earliest opportunity. As far as I'm concerned, 2K Sports has risen to the same level of evil as Electronic Arts. Where once they had promise, they now have disaster. MLB 2K8 is flat-out embarrassing and easily the worst game 2K Sports has ever released.