MLB: The Show

Lore & Background

The series debuted in 2006 with MLB 06: The Show for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable, following the MLB series from 989 Sports. There has been a new release in the series every year since 2006. The series was released on PlayStation 2 from 2006 through 2011's MLB 11: The Show and was available on the PlayStation 3 from MLB 07: The Show through MLB The Show 16. Portable versions for either the PlayStation Portable or PlayStation Vita accompanied every entry from MLB 06: The Show through MLB 15: The Show. The series started releasing on the PlayStation 4 with MLB 14: The Show.

After over two decades of exclusivity with PlayStation consoles, MLB: The Show ceased to be released only on PlayStation, and started to be released on other consoles by MLB Advanced Media, though the edition of the game at the time—MLB The Show 20—was a PlayStation 4 exclusive. MLB The Show 21 is the first title in the series to be released on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S; MLB The Show 22 is the first game of the series to be on a Nintendo console, released on the Nintendo Switch.

Gameplay simulates a game of professional baseball, with the player controlling an entire team, a team's manager, or a select player. The player may take control of one of 30 Major League Baseball teams in any game mode and also is able to choose from 6 special teams including NL and AL all star teams (excluding Road to the Show) and use that team in gameplay. The series has variable game modes in which a player takes control of a team for a single game, one season, or a franchise (multiple seasons). The online gameplay mode Diamond Dynasty allows users to create teams through collecting cards of current players and MLB legends. The offline gameplay mode Road to the Show allows users to take control of their own ballplayer on their journey through high school, college, the minor leagues, and on to the MLB.

Reader's Guide

MLB: The Show is notable as the only Major League Baseball simulation video game on consoles since 2014, a position that underscores its dominance in the sports gaming market. The series began in 2006, succeeding the MLB series from 989 Sports, and has maintained an annual release schedule. Its significance is further marked by a major shift in 2021 when MLB The Show 21 became the first title released on Xbox platforms, ending over two decades of PlayStation exclusivity. The following year, MLB The Show 22 expanded to the Nintendo Switch, making the series available on all major console families. The series features two hallmark game modes: Diamond Dynasty, an online team-building mode using collectible cards, and Road to the Show, an offline career mode that follows a player from high school through the MLB. These modes, along with traditional franchise and season play, have contributed to the series' sustained critical and commercial acclaim.

Did You Know?

• Since 2014, MLB: The Show has been the sole Major League Baseball simulation video game on consoles.
• MLB The Show 21 was the first title in the series released on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
• MLB The Show 22 was the first game in the series released on a Nintendo console (Nintendo Switch).