Since 2006, MLB The Show has continuously delivered the most authentic baseball experience to gamers. While many might turn their noses up at sports games, San Diego Studios creates an experience that transcends the sport. For MLB The Show 23, San Diego Studios highlighted the incredible accomplishments of the Negro League players.
But at the end of the day, MLB The Show 23 operates the same as its predecessors with only the Negro League Storylines as a major added feature. Sure, the returning modes like Road To The Show and Franchise are among the best in the sports genre, but there are not many new mechanical improvements in the game. With MLB The Show 23 being more of the same compared to previous iterations, is 2023's edition worth it?
Review
While we don't have an on-site review from our own team, Metacritic displays favorable reviews for the game. If you need more convincing, here is a personal reason for experiencing this title:
MLB The Show 23 is another home run for the acclaimed baseball series. While the game has several beloved features we’ve all enjoyed like Road To The Show and Diamond Dynasty, this year’s iteration sheds a special light on baseball’s first pioneers of the Negro League. The Negro League Storylines is beautifully crafted to teach us there were more impactful and influential colored baseball players than Jackie Robinson.
Players like Satchel Paige, Hank Thompson, Hilton Smith, and Buck O’Neil are the forgotten stars of baseball, who helped shape the sport we love today. I wouldn’t consider myself a diehard, avid baseball fan but I played Little League as a kid and have loved the sport all my life. I knew names like Babe Ruth or Roger Maris, but not Rube Foster, the person who established the Negro Leagues to begin with. The Negro League Storylines highlights these players and more on how they impacted the sport of baseball. If there’s one section of MLB The Show 23 that is a necessity to experience, it’s the Negro League Storylines.
Time Expenditure
The amount of time spent playing MLB The Show 23 is entirely up to you. Some casual fans might only enjoy it because of the excitement of Opening Day but the general interest in a baseball game might plummet if your favorite team isn’t playing well. But if you stick with it, MLB The Show 23 won’t disappoint.
Road To The Show remains a top-tier career mode. MLB The Show 23 doesn't waste your time with non-baseball activities and you can dedicate all the time that's needed to reach the major leagues. Diamond Dynasty and Franchise have a limitless amount of hours in content. Franchise is the more traditional style of controlling a team, although you could spice things up with a fantasy draft. Playing all of the 162 games in a season plus any games in the postseason will take quite some time.
Diamond Dynasty combines the concept of collecting baseball cards with the basics of controlling a franchise. There are Programs that you can complete to earn rewards for your Diamond Dynasty squad or your Road To The Show player. Some programs are time-sensitive, so always check for the duration. There are major seasons that range about two months that offer featured rewards to improve your squad.
Cost
In 2021, MLB The Show ceased being a PlayStation-exclusive series and landed on Xbox Game Pass. 2023’s game is no different, being offered on Microsoft’s subscription service or available to purchase on both consoles. The game has two different editions: Standard Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition. The Standard Edition offers the base game at $59.99 for last-gen and $69.99 for current-gen systems. For $99.99, the Digital Deluxe Editions offer several add-ons that can jump-start your experience:
- One Captain’s Choice Pack
- One World Baseball Classic Choice Pack
- Five Gold Choice Packs
- 20 The Show Packs
- One Ballplayer Pack
- Double Daily Login Rewards
- 30,000 Stubs
What Players Are Saying
An Overall Upgrade, Especially For History Buffs - Branden Lizardi
MLB The Show 23 is one of the few times I recommend people get the game, even if they played the next most recent title. With minor changes to things like training mode and announcer dialogue, you're getting an overall improved experience. But what really sets it apart is the unique experience the Negro League provides. It's a unique showcase of baseball history that really enchanted me and is something I wish more sports games would do.
Learning The History Of Baseball Makes MLB The Show 23 Special - Avery Feyrer
It's tough to hype a new sports game when each 'new iteration' is just updated rosters and slight graphical improvements. San Diego Studios goes above and beyond to provide unique experiences and MLB The Show 23 is no different. The Negro League Storylines highlights eight Black baseball stars that impacted the league. We learn how much these players had to sacrifice and endure terrible conditions just to play baseball. Anyone who considers themselves a baseball fan should know who these players are and know we wouldn't have baseball today without them.