Review of MLB The Show 25

There’s a lot to love about MLB The Show 25 on the Switch—a game with the potential to be something truly great, yet it sometimes stumbles due to technical issues.

Entering its fourth year on the Nintendo Switch, MLB The Show continues to astonish with its ambitious features and comprehensive gameplay. However, as innovative as it may be, recommending it solely for its presence on this aging hybrid system is becoming a challenge unless you’re left with no other option for your virtual baseball fix. Over the years, I’ve reviewed this series for Nintendo World Report, and I must say, this is the most polished version across all game modes. The developers deserve credit for consistently pushing boundaries and breathing new life into the modes. Yet, the game’s performance suffers from the constraints of decade-old hardware.

A highlight this year is the impressive overhaul of the online-only Diamond Dynasty. For those unfamiliar, this is the mode where you collect virtual cards to build your team and compete in various single-player and multiplayer challenges. The past iterations were tangled in complexity due to frequent resets, which often disrupted your progress. Thankfully, in 2025, those resets have been eliminated, though this has introduced a slower progression to forming a top-notch team. All in all, this change is a step in the right direction.

Adding a refreshing twist to the mode is Diamond Quest, a new roguelike board game experience. You throw dice, navigate a grid, and tackle challenges as they come. This mode shines by blending quick tasks, like striking out batters, with lengthier challenges, such as achieving certain runs. It’s the standout feature of MLB The Show 25, but it loses its luster on the Switch due to sluggish load times. Although the concept is brilliant, it demands patience due to performance lags, overshadowing the enjoyment of this otherwise fantastic mode.

Last year saw significant changes to Road to the Show, where you create and experience the career of a custom player. This year, the mode refines those elements, integrating high school and college starting points, enhancing its overall appeal. While the game isn’t quite ready to hit a home run on the Switch due to technical hitches, it’s moving in the right direction.

On the other hand, Franchise mode has received a noteworthy update. Historically, not my go-to, but always a fun option in sports games, it now feels like a more intricate general manager simulation. Engaging in free agency, drafts, and budget management adds depth, although beginners might need time to acclimate to its complexities. Once I got the hang of it, crafting a team became a rewarding managerial pursuit.

The Storylines museum modes have been a delight since 2023. Though this year’s content doesn’t quite match past innovations, it’s still a pleasure to explore the legends of the Negro League, like Cool Papa Bell and Turkey Stearnes. Despite missing a feature like the Derek Jeter Storyline from last year, the historical content remains engaging and is apparently set to expand with future updates.

For those limited to Nintendo Switch, MLB The Show 25 fills the role of a competent baseball sim. It upholds the series’ reputation for excellent gameplay and diverse modes, but, unfortunately, the Switch’s limitations are apparent at every turn. We can only hope that the anticipated Switch 2 will provide a better platform for MLB The Show 26 to truly shine.