MLB The Show 25 – In-Depth Review

MLB The Show has hit its fourth year on the Switch, and while it’s genuinely impressive to find such a comprehensive sports game on Nintendo’s aging hybrid console, it’s tough to wholeheartedly recommend it unless it’s your sole option for virtual baseball. Over the years, I’ve been delving into MLB The Show for Nintendo World Report, and this version boasts the most polished game modes I’ve seen so far. Watching a developer persistently innovate and refresh game modes with such consistency is genuinely exciting. Yet, it’s a shame that these high points are held back by a console that’s been around for a decade.

One fresh standout feature this year is the overhaul of the online-only Diamond Dynasty mode. For those unfamiliar, it’s a mode where you collect virtual cards to build your team, engaging in both single-player and multiplayer battles. The last couple of years saw Diamond Dynasty turning into a jumble of different sets and seasons that reset, diminishing your past collections. Thankfully, in 2025, that’s been done away with, albeit at the cost of a slower pace in assembling stronger teams. Overall, it’s a positive transformation.

A remarkable addition to this mode is Diamond Quest, a roguelike board game where you roll a die and traverse a grid of challenges. The challenge variety is refreshing, ranging from quick tasks like striking out two batters in an inning to more extended ones like scoring a set amount of runs in twelve outs. While this adds a fascinating twist to MLB The Show 25, it isn’t quite as fluid on the Switch. Load times are sluggish, and despite enjoying the mode, it tends to become tedious. While some blame goes to the repetitive challenges, the main culprit is undoubtedly the extended load times plaguing most of the Diamond Dynasty mode.

Then there’s Road to the Show, where you can craft your own player and walk them through a career. Last year saw a major revamp, which I mostly enjoyed, and this year takes it up a notch. They’ve smoothed out some of the clunky story bits and added new starting points in high school and college. Previously, I might have doubted its readiness for the premiere Switch stage, but now it’s standing on firmer ground, though some technical tweaks are still needed due to the console’s limitations.

Stopping by the Franchise mode, a personal favorite in sports games, I found some history-anchored renovations. The latest version takes a deep dive into general management, touching on everything from free agency to drafts with newfound depth. If balancing budgets and negotiating contracts is your thing, this mode holds an almost hypnotic level of engagement, despite some rocky tutorials for newcomers. Once those hurdles are overcome, crafting a team with all the available tools becomes highly rewarding.

The Storylines museum modes introduced in 2023 are back, but this year hints at a slight dip in freshness. Still, exploring the history of legends from the Negro Leagues like Cool Papa Bell and Turkey Stearnes never fails to impress. Though this year lacks something as groundbreaking as the Derek Jeter storyline from last year, Sony has plans to expand Storylines with free updates. So, even if it leans on familiar contents from previous games, the Negro Leagues content is standout.

If you’re set on playing a licensed baseball game and your only console is the Nintendo Switch, MLB The Show 25 will suffice. It captures the essence of the series’ refined gameplay and diverse modes, but every feature feels like it’s hindered by the Switch’s dated hardware. Here’s hoping the next iteration on a possible Switch 2 might finally do the game justice in MLB The Show 26.