MLB The Show 25

Game images by RAWG

MLB The Show 25

San Diego Studio

PlayStation; Xbox; Nintendo SwitchPremium purchase + Diamond Dynasty microtransactions

Health Score

MIXED

Official Website Watch Gameplay

About This Game

Super Review

MLB The Show 25 offers authentic baseball simulation, perfect for fans eager to pitch, bat, and field with their favorite players. While it excels in capturing the sport's strategy and supporting local play, parents must be aware of the intense monetization in Diamond Dynasty mode and the potential for long play sessions driven by its card-collecting mechanics and online competition.

Super Review

Parent verdict

MLB The Show 25 is a mixed recommendation, best suited for dedicated baseball fans who can navigate significant in-game purchase pressures and potential online social risks. Its core simulation is solid, but the addictive monetization within its card-collecting mode lowers its overall health score. It can be a great choice for families who establish clear financial and time limits, especially for older players capable of self-regulation.

What players actually do

Players manage pitch selection and timing, exercising strategic thinking and quick reflexes to outsmart batters.
Players control batters, focusing on timing and plate discipline to hit for contact or power, improving hand-eye coordination.
Players make fielding decisions and execute throws, developing spatial awareness and understanding of baseball strategy.

Where it shines

The game provides an excellent, realistic simulation of baseball, allowing players to engage deeply with the sport's rules, strategy, and player management across various modes.
It supports local cooperative and competitive play, offering a valuable opportunity for families to enjoy baseball together without online pressures.

Parent watch-outs

The Diamond Dynasty mode heavily features card packs and progression grinds, strongly encouraging microtransactions and potentially leading to significant spending.
Online multiplayer components expose players to typical voice and text chat toxicity, which can be a concern for younger or sensitive players.

Family rules worth setting

Set strict limits on in-game purchases and ensure credit card information is not easily accessible for the Diamond Dynasty mode.
Establish clear time limits for play sessions, especially when engaging with online or progression-focused modes that can encourage extended play.

Talk about this

Discuss the psychology behind randomized rewards and why games use them to encourage spending or longer play sessions.
Talk about good sportsmanship and respectful communication when playing online, and what to do if encountering negative behavior.

Play style

MLB The Show 25 offers a varied session rhythm, from quick exhibition games to lengthy seasons in Franchise mode or competitive online matches. The difficulty is adaptable, but online play presents a higher skill ceiling and potential frustration. Players can engage solo in career modes, cooperatively in local play, or competitively online. Younger players may need help understanding complex baseball strategies or managing the intense Diamond Dynasty economy.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

2/5

Creativity

2/5

Pro-Social

3/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

5/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

3/5

Social Risk

3/5

Content Intensity

1/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

2/5

While the game offers an authentic baseball simulation that teaches players about rules and strategy, its primary focus is entertainment rather than direct academic learning. The educational value is inherent to understanding the sport but not a core design goal, leading to a score of 2.

Addictive Monetization

5/5

The Diamond Dynasty mode heavily relies on randomized card packs and progression systems that strongly encourage spending to acquire better players. This pervasive implementation of microtransactions and grind-focused design earns it a high risk score of 5.

Social Risk

3/5

As an online-enabled competitive game, MLB The Show 25 exposes players to typical online voice and text chat, which can contain toxic language and behavior. While not unique to this title, the 'Users Interact' descriptor and general online environment contribute to a moderate social risk score of 3.

Time Pressure / FOMO

3/5

The progression loops in modes like Diamond Dynasty and the nature of online competition can create a sense of 'fear of missing out' or the need to play for extended sessions. Players might feel pressured to grind for rewards or keep up with competitive trends, resulting in a time pressure score of 3.