MLB The Show 21
First MLB The Show on Xbox, with cross-platform play.
MLB The Show 21 is a baseball video game released in 2021, developed by San Diego Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is the sixteenth entry in the MLB: The Show series and, for the first time, launched on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in addition to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. This also marked the series’ debut on Xbox Game Pass at release, a decision made by digital co-publisher MLB Advanced Media rather than Sony. Due to the rivalry between PlayStation and Microsoft, MLB Advanced Media co-published digital versions on Xbox consoles. It was the first MLB game on an Xbox system since MLB 2K13. The cover features San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatís Jr., who at age 22 is the youngest player ever to appear on the cover.
The commentary team of Matt Vasgersian, Mark DeRosa, and Dan Plesac returned for their final appearance, with Heidi Watney as sideline reporter and Alex Miniak as public address announcer. A new ballpark creator feature allows players to adjust dimensions, wall height, foul territory, and other scenery options, and to share or download created ballparks online. This feature was exclusive to the ninth-generation versions of the game. The popular year-to-year save feature, which let players carry Road to the Show and Franchise Mode files to the next game, was discontinued.
For the first time in the series, the game offered cross-platform compatibility between PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Physical Xbox copies were distributed by Cokem International. Special editions featuring Jackie Robinson on the cover donated $1 per copy sold in the United States to his foundation.
Quick Facts
- Title
- MLB The Show 21
- Developer
- San Diego Studio
- Publisher
- Sony Interactive EntertainmentDistributor for Xbox version · MLB Advanced MediaXbox digital versions
- Series
- MLB: The Show
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X/S
- Genre
- Sports
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Released
- April 20, 2021
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
MLB The Show 21 introduced several notable firsts for the franchise. It was the first MLB game released on an Xbox console since MLB 2K13, and the first in the series to be available on Xbox Game Pass at no additional cost, a decision made solely by digital co-publisher MLB Advanced Media. The game also featured cross-platform compatibility between PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. New to the series was the ballpark creator feature, allowing players to customize ballpark dimensions, wall height, foul territory, and scenery, and to share or download creations online; this feature was exclusive to ninth-generation console versions. The year-to-year saves feature, which let players carry Road to the Show and Franchise Mode files to a newer game, was discontinued. Matt Vasgersian, Mark DeRosa, and Dan Plesac returned as play-by-play commentators for the last time, with Heidi Watney as sideline reporter and Alex Miniak as public address commentator.
Reader's Guide
MLB The Show 21 received generally favorable reviews from critics. GameSpot gave it 7/10, praising the Stadium Creator and changes to pitching but criticizing the lack of additions to Road to the Show and Franchise modes, noting that it remained one of the best sports games available. GamesRadar+ gave it 4/5 stars, calling it a solid home-run hitter but not the baseball revolution expected on new consoles. IGN gave it 8/10, stating it was not a generational leap forward but still the best baseball sim on any platform. In the US, it was the best-selling digital game across PlayStation and Xbox platforms for April 2021. By July 18, 2021, it had surpassed 2 million sales across all platforms and reached 4 million players. The Jackie Robinson edition donated $1 to the Jackie Robinson Foundation for each copy sold in the United States. The game's release on Xbox and inclusion in Game Pass expanded its audience significantly, while the ballpark creator added a new layer of customization.
Did You Know?
- MLB The Show 21 was the first MLB game on an Xbox console since MLB 2K13.
- Fernando Tatís Jr. was the youngest cover star in franchise history at age 22.
- The ballpark creator feature was exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions.
- MLB Advanced Media co-published digital versions on Xbox consoles due to PlayStation's rivalry with Microsoft.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MLB The Show 21?
MLB The Show 21 is a 2021 baseball simulation game built by San Diego Studio and released by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It serves as the sixteenth installment in the long-running MLB: The Show franchise.
What platforms can you play MLB The Show 21 on?
The game shipped for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, making it the first title in the series to appear on any Xbox hardware. It also introduced cross-platform multiplayer between PlayStation and Xbox users for the first time in the franchise.
Who is the cover athlete for MLB The Show 21?
Fernando Tatís Jr., the San Diego Padres shortstop, was chosen to headline the box art for the 2021 edition.
Why is MLB The Show 21 considered a milestone for the series?
It broke the PlayStation-only streak by landing on Xbox consoles and debuting on Xbox Game Pass at launch, a move driven by digital co-publisher MLB Advanced Media navigating the Sony-Microsoft rivalry. That cross-platform and Game Pass availability made it the most accessible entry in the series to date.
How did critics receive MLB The Show 21?
Reviewers gave the game generally favorable marks on Metacritic, praising its expanded platform reach and gameplay refinements while noting it still leaned on the familiar formula fans expect from the franchise.
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