MLB The Show 25: A Comprehensive Review

As MLB The Show steps into its fourth season on the Switch, there’s a certain awe in seeing such a comprehensive sports game making its way onto Nintendo’s somewhat antiquated hybrid system. However, despite its impressive breadth and engaging gameplay, it’s becoming increasingly tough to recommend this version unless the Switch is your only gaming platform for a virtual baseball fix. Over the last four years, covering MLB The Show for Nintendo World Report has shown me just how refined the game modes have become. It’s fantastic to see developers continuously innovate and reinvent modes, maintaining a high level of success. Yet, it’s a shame that all these efforts are hampered by the limitations of outdated hardware.

Among the new features, the revamped online-only Diamond Dynasty stands out. For those not in the loop, this is the mode where you collect virtual cards to build your team and compete in varied single-player and multiplayer settings. The past couple of years saw Diamond Dynasty getting bogged down by overly complex sets and seasons that would reset, nullifying your previous collections. Thankfully, that’s not the case in 2025. Though it now takes a bit longer to assemble top-tier teams, the overall change is a positive one.

Adding to the mode’s allure is the unique roguelike board game mode, Diamond Quest. Here, players roll dice to move around grids, uncovering spaces and facing challenges. It’s an exciting concept that mixes short challenges, like striking out two batters or hitting an extra-base hit, with slightly longer ones, like a 3-inning showdown. While it shines in MLB The Show 25, playing on the Switch means enduring sluggish load times, making the experience unfortunately tedious. This lack of snappiness is partly due to repetitive challenges but mainly because of the console’s slower processing speeds, which affect nearly all of Diamond Dynasty.

The Road to the Show mode also underwent a significant overhaul last year, which, for the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed. This latest version is even more refined, thanks to the improvement of certain cumbersome story elements and the introduction of high school and college starting paths. Previously, I felt this mode wasn’t quite ready to shine on the Switch, but it’s in much better form now, despite ongoing technical hiccups.

Franchise mode—a favorite of mine in sports gaming but one I hadn’t explored much in MLB The Show—has seen some substantial upgrades this year. It’s become an even more engaging general manager simulation with intricate free agency systems, drafting, and player arbitration. Those who revel in the intricacies of sports management will find it incredibly captivating, though the learning curve is a bit steep due to somewhat lacking tutorials. Once you get the hang of it, though, it’s immensely satisfying to piece together a successful team with the various tools at your disposal.

I’ve always appreciated the Storylines museum modes since their introduction in 2023, but this year they seem to be losing some spark. Nevertheless, delving into the stories of Negro League legends like Cool Papa Bell and Turkey Stearnes is always rewarding. Sony has also promised more Storyline updates, which is exciting, even though there’s nothing quite like last year’s Derek Jeter Storyline on the horizon. The Negro Leagues content remains exceptional, despite leaning on some recycled material from past iterations.

For those seeking a licensed baseball game on the Nintendo Switch, MLB The Show 25 is a solid option. It faithfully captures the series’ hallmark game design and varied modes, but the overall experience feels compromised on the Switch. Hopefully, with Switch 2, MLB The Show 26 will find a more fitting home.