MLB The Show 25 Review – A Comprehensive Analysis

MLB The Show has come a long way since it first made its debut on the Switch four years ago. It’s astonishing how this complex and feature-rich sports game can run on Nintendo’s aging hybrid console. Yet, despite its efforts, recommending it is becoming increasingly challenging unless your gaming is strictly confined to the Switch. The game’s individual components are outstanding, and after years of reviewing this series for Nintendo World Report, I’ve never seen each mode execute so flawlessly at the same time. It’s genuinely impressive how the developers continually innovate and refine these modes successfully. It’s just a shame that the overall experience is marred by the limitations of decade-old technology.

This year, the revamped Diamond Dynasty stands out as one of the most exciting new features. For those not familiar, this mode lets you collect virtual cards to build your dream team and compete in a variety of gameplay styles, both solo and with others. Past versions of Diamond Dynasty became overly complex with constantly resetting sets and seasons that rendered your previous collections obsolete. Thankfully, in 2025, these resets have been removed, offering a clearer path to assembling improved teams, though the progression feels slower. Overall, it’s a promising change.

The mode also shines with an inventive roguelike board game addition called Diamond Quest. You roll a die, navigate a grid, and land on various challenges. The idea is brilliant, offering quick tasks like striking out two batters or hitting an extra-base strike, alongside more extended challenges such as short games or achieving a specific score in a limited number of outs. It’s one of the highlights of MLB The Show 25, but unfortunately, the Switch version suffers from extended load times, removing the snappy enjoyment and turning it into a bit of a grind. The repetition in challenges doesn’t help, but it’s the sluggish performance of the Switch that’s the real culprit. The mode is captivating but struggles to maintain its momentum on this console.

Having delved into the Road to the Show mode last year, I found a significant overhaul then, and I was mostly thrilled with it. This year brings further improvements, fine-tuning the storytelling and allowing players to start their careers from high school or college levels. Even last year, I felt the mode wasn’t entirely ready for prime time on the Switch, but this year shows noticeable enhancements, though technical woes persist due to the console’s limitations.

Franchise mode, a feature I historically enjoy in sports games though hadn’t previously explored much in The Show, has received a meaningful makeover. It’s transformed into a captivating general manager simulation with a more intricate take on free agency, drafts, and contract negotiations. If you’re someone who loves diving into the deep end of sports management, tweaking budgets, and devising strategies, this mode could be endlessly engaging. While I did have a rocky start due to less-than-stellar tutorials, I eventually got up to speed, and building a championship team through strategic management became incredibly rewarding.

The Storylines museum modes introduced in 2023 captured my interest, yet this year, they’re starting to show signs of repetitive content. Nonetheless, diving into the history of legendary figures from the Negro Leagues, like Cool Papa Bell and Turkey Stearnes, remains fascinating. Sony promises future free updates with more Storylines, which is encouraging, although it seems there won’t be a unique offering akin to last year’s Derek Jeter Storyline. Despite dipping into recycled material, the Negro Leagues content is exceptional.

Ultimately, if a licensed baseball game on the Nintendo Switch is what you’re after, MLB The Show 25 meets that need. While it captures the essence of the series’ exceptional design and variety, the experience feels impaired by the hardware constraints of the Switch. Here’s to hoping that a potential Switch 2 offers a better platform for MLB The Show 26.