MLB The Show has made its way onto the Nintendo Switch for the fourth year, and while this effort to bring such a robust sports game to Nintendo’s somewhat aging hybrid console is commendable, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to suggest this as your go-to option unless it’s truly your only way to enjoy virtual baseball. The game itself is packed with outstanding elements and over the years, I’ve been covering MLB The Show for Nintendo World Report, this edition truly stands out as the most refined with every game mode shining brightly. It’s genuinely impressive to watch a developer continually push the envelope, innovating and refreshing modes with admirable consistency. Yet, it’s hard not to feel let down that it’s all held back by hardware that feels stuck in the past.
One of the game’s standout features this year is the revamped Diamond Dynasty mode, which is exclusively online. For those who haven’t delved into it yet, Diamond Dynasty is all about collecting virtual cards to build a team and compete across different single and multiplayer modes. Previously, this mode felt overly complicated with various sets and seasons resetting and rendering past collections moot. Thankfully, that’s all been streamlined in 2025. Now, while it does take a bit longer to assemble a top-tier team, this overall shift feels like a step in the right direction.
Adding to its appeal is a creative new roguelike board game mode known as Diamond Quest. Players roll a die, moving around a grid to reveal spaces and take on various challenges. This idea is fantastic, putting you in a mix of quick challenges like striking out batters or getting extra base hits, along with longer ones such as a 3-inning game or meeting scored runs targets. It stands out in MLB The Show 25, although on the Switch, the experience feels bogged down. Everything drags with slow loading times, and it reached a point where despite my enjoyment, it turned into a bit of a drag. While some blame could be placed on the repetitive challenges, the sluggish loading bears the brunt of the criticism, impacting the broader Diamond Dynasty experience.
On to Road to the Show, the mode where you craft your own player’s career—last year saw a major overhaul that I mostly enjoyed. This year, it’s even better with refinements to cumbersome storytelling and the addition of high school and college starting points. Previously, I felt it wasn’t quite ready for the big leagues on the Switch, but it’s in much better shape now, though the technical hiccups still remind you of the hardware’s limits.
Franchise mode, a component I haven’t always dived into deeply in past editions, has traditionally been one of my favorites in sports games. This year, it’s received a noteworthy overhaul. The mode better simulates the role of a general manager, offering more depth in free agency, drafts, and other management tasks. For fans who enjoy crunching numbers and strategizing, this mode could become dangerously engaging. While some tutorials could use a little more clarity—I had a tough first offseason, and I’m someone who stays up to date with player transactions—once you get a handle on things, the thrill of team building is undeniable.
Then there are the Storylines museum modes, which introduced historical narratives back in 2023. This year, though, they start to feel a bit repetitive. Even so, learning about Negro League legends such as Cool Papa Bell and Turkey Stearnes remains enthralling. Sony has promised more Storylines in future updates for free, but the absence of something akin to last year’s Derek Jeter feature is a letdown. Still, the content for the Negro Leagues is remarkable, despite leaning on previously used material.
So, if you’re on the hunt for a licensed baseball game and the Switch is your only option, MLB The Show 25 gets the job done. This Switch version manages to uphold the series’ renowned gameplay and mode diversity, yet it’s tough to overlook the constraints imposed by the hardware. Here’s to hoping the rumored Switch 2 provides a more suitable home for MLB The Show 26.
