It’s been four years since MLB The Show made its debut on the Nintendo Switch, and the fact that such a comprehensive sports game runs on Nintendo’s aging hybrid console remains a marvel. Yet, I find myself increasingly hesitant to recommend it unless the Switch is your sole option for experiencing virtual baseball. Throughout my time reviewing MLB The Show for Nintendo World Report, I’ve witnessed some impressive advancements, with the latest edition showcasing the most polished game modes I’ve seen to date. The consistent innovation and reinvention are commendable, but the experience is still weighed down by the console’s outdated technology.
A significant improvement has been made to the online-only Diamond Dynasty mode. For those new to it, this mode lets you collect virtual cards to build and compete with your team across various single-player and multiplayer settings. The past couple of years saw Diamond Dynasty get bogged down with a plethora of sets and seasons that would reset, often rendering your past collections obsolete. In 2025, the developers have done away with that, simplifying things, though the pace to assemble competitive teams feels a bit slower. Nonetheless, it’s a welcome change.
Adding a fresh twist to the mode is Diamond Quest, a cleverly designed roguelike board game experience. Players roll dice to navigate a grid, uncover spaces, and tackle challenges. This mode is genuinely exciting, presenting both quick challenges—such as striking out two batters in an inning—and more extended ones, like playing a three-inning game. While it’s a highlight of MLB The Show 25, the Switch’s slower load times detract from the experience, making it feel sluggish. The challenges could use more variety, but primarily it’s the load times that drag the mode down.
The Road to the Show mode, where you craft your player and guide them through their career, saw a significant overhaul last year, and the enhancements continue this year. They’ve fine-tuned awkward story elements and introduced high school and college starting points. Last year, I noted that the mode wasn’t quite ready for the big leagues on Switch; thankfully, this year, it’s much improved, even if some technical issues persist due to the hardware limitations.
Franchise mode, a feature I’ve sporadically explored but always enjoyed in sports games, has also received considerable attention. Previously, it remained fairly consistent in The Show, but this latest iteration sees meaningful upgrades. As a general manager simulation, it dives deep into the details of free agency, drafts, and negotiations. Fans of sports management will likely find this mode highly engaging. Though the tutorials could use some polish—as even I, someone familiar with the baseball offseason shuffle, struggled initially—once the basics are grasped, there’s immense satisfaction in building and managing a team.
Since 2023, I’ve been enamored with the Storylines museum modes introduced in MLB The Show, though this year, they’re starting to feel slightly repetitive. Yet, the historical insights into Negro League legends like Cool Papa Bell and Turkey Stearnes remain captivating. Sony’s plan to add more Storylines through future free updates holds promise, although the absence of something akin to last year’s intriguing Derek Jeter Storyline is a letdown. Still, the Negro Leagues content continues to shine, even if some of it revisits familiar territory.
If your gaming is confined to the Nintendo Switch and you crave a licensed baseball experience, MLB The Show 25 fits the bill. It encapsulates the elegant gameplay design and rich mode variety the series is renowned for, but every aspect is somewhat constrained by the Switch’s capabilities. Here’s hoping for a more fitting home with the potential arrival of Switch 2 for MLB The Show 26.
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