Review of MLB The Show 25

Experiencing MLB The Show on the Switch is like watching a well-rounded team with championship potential struggle on game day due to old equipment. Now in its fourth year on the Switch, this popular sports title is undoubtedly ambitious. It’s impressive how such a feature-rich game can run on Nintendo’s aging system. However, unless this is your only option for virtual baseball, I’m finding it harder to recommend. Despite the game’s various modes being sharper than ever, the aging technology of the Switch hinders its full potential.

One of the most exciting updates this year is the overhaul of the Diamond Dynasty mode. For those who haven’t explored it yet, this online-only mode allows players to collect virtual cards and assemble unique teams to partake in various challenges. In previous years, Diamond Dynasty could feel overwhelming with its frequent resets, which often rendered past collections obsolete. Thankfully, by 2025, they’ve removed those frequent resets, although this change also means a slower progression in team building. Overall, it’s a welcome improvement.

Diamond Dynasty also introduces a fresh twist with the Diamond Quest—a roguelike board game approach. In it, you roll dice to advance on a grid, uncover spaces, and face diverse challenges. This innovative feature spices things up with quick tasks like striking out two batters or more prolonged challenges like winning a 3-inning game. On paper, it’s one of MLB The Show 25’s highlights, but the Switch’s loading times make it less enjoyable. I found myself getting frustrated, primarily due to the game’s slow pace on this platform, rather than the challenges themselves.

The Road to the Show mode, where you create a custom player and follow them through their career, underwent major improvements last year. This time, it’s even more polished, with adjustments to storytelling and new starting points in high school and college. Despite my previous reservations about its readiness on the Switch, this year feels like a step in the right direction, though technical hiccups remain due to the hardware limitations.

Franchise mode is another area that’s historically piqued my interest, though I haven’t engaged with it as deeply in the past. It’s traditionally been consistent in The Show series, but the latest iteration brings substantial updates. The depth in features like free agency and draft negotiations makes it the go-to mode for management enthusiasts. Although the initial learning curve was tough—even for someone familiar with baseball’s off-season dealings—it became addictively engaging once I got the hang of it.

I’ve been fond of the Storylines museum modes since they were introduced in 2023, but they’re showing some signs of staleness. Nonetheless, revisiting the history of Negro League icons such as Cool Papa Bell and Turkey Stearnes is captivating. While there’s a promise of more storylines in upcoming free updates, it’s disappointing there isn’t anything like last year’s compelling Derek Jeter narrative. Still, the Negro League content remains a strong point, even if it’s drawing on past material.

If your gaming is constrained to the Nintendo Switch and you’re hunting for an officially licensed baseball game, MLB The Show 25 will suffice. This version captures the essence and diverse gameplay modes that the series is known for, though every element inherently feels held back by the constraints of the console. With hopes high for the yet-unconfirmed Switch 2, MLB The Show 26 might find a more fitting home there.