It’s that time of year again, MLB The Show 23 is here! The latest installment in the long-running baseball simulation series developed by San Diego Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment looks to make a marked step forward from a strong showing in 2022. As the Show’s annual reviewer, it’s always interesting to me to see just how much of a step forward, or back, a series can move. The bigger question is always, does it justify the price tag? Dust off your gloves and get on deck.

Annual releases are always looking for that one big ‘hook’ that swings opinion from "maybe I’ll get it" to "I need this!" and MLB The Show 23 makes a strong case for the latter. The aforementioned ‘hook’ is an exceptionally crafted and fresh new perspective on a part of baseball history that’s all too often overlooked.

Welcome to the Negro Leagues, one of the most exciting new features in MLB The Show history! Allowing players to experience the history of African American baseball from the late 1800s to the 1960s. The mode includes authentic teams like the Kansas City Monarchs, the Homestead Grays, and the Pittsburgh Crawfords. Uniforms, ballparks, and rosters from the era, as well as legendary players like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Jackie Robinson and Cool Papa Bell all make appeareances.

The museum provided photographs, artifacts, and historical information that helped the developers create an authentic representation of the era.

But it’s not just the attention to detail in this mode that’s impressive. The developers worked closely with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to ensure that the mode accurately reflects the history of the era. The museum provided photographs, artifacts, and historical information that helped the developers create an authentic representation of the era and it pays off in a brilliantly comprehensive mode that’s lovingly produced.



Players can choose to play through a full season as one of the Negro League teams or compete in exhibition games. But the real jewel in the crown here is the "Legends" section, which allows players to complete challenges and earn rewards based on the accomplishments of the Negro League players. This mode is divided into a series of chapters, each with roughly 9 missions per player.

Each chapter focuses on an individual player and his accomplishments. Before the beginning of each mission, the Negro Leagues Museum President, Bob Kendrick, breaks down the significance of each feat, for example, Satchel Paige’s no hitter or Josh Gibson's 500-foot home run in a documentary style presentation. All of which is accompanied by some stunning illustrations and archive footage. It’s then up to you to take the reigns and relive history by repeating it in-game.



As you progress through each of these chapters, you’re able to earn rewards and unlock new content which you can take into an improved Diamond Dynasty mode. This mode, which tacks on a number of single player and online modes, is essentially a big deck builder and has been a staple of the series for a few years now, however, a shift to a seasonal model or rather ‘battle pass’ could prove divisive considering decks are based on that season, which could see some cards becoming redundant in the longer term. I’ll have more to say about this after a few months with the updated mode.

The 23 rulebook is also now in full effect and in line with MLB rules, affecting more than you would realize, including now having the option to use both a designated hitter as a pitcher, in the same game.

Beyond that, it’s business as usual for the show, with familiar modes present from previous years. But it’s clear San Diego have spent the past year’s worth of development fine tuning the nuances and bringing the game more up to par with what we expect of a now, ‘current-gen’ title. The 23 rulebook is also now in full effect and in line with MLB rules, affecting more than you would realize, including now having the option to use both a designated hitter as a pitcher, in the same game. Let’s go Shohei!



New camera angles and a more dynamic broadcast-style presentation bring some much needed new looks to the series, as I lamented last year, it just felt a bit stale, and MLB The Show 23 certainly steps up in that department. Team specific VFX is present now too, adding personal touches to all matches that just take it from feeling like another baseball game, to one that gets eerily close to the stuff you see on TV.

The game's commentators, Matt Vasgersian, Dan Plesac, and Mark DeRosa, have also been updated, with their commentary being more engaging and informative than in previous years. Audio all around is significantly more crisp and the crack of the bat in a packed Dodger’s Stadium needs to be heard using 3D audio for it to do justice.



Pitching, hitting and fielding all see improvements as expected, with a more realistic ball physics system, a greater emphasis on timing and player skill. The hitting interface has also been streamlined, making it easier for players to read pitches and make contact with the ball. These changes make hitting substantially more enjoyable and rewarding. On the field, single button throwing is back but with a moving target that rewards button accuracy, a considerably more realistic approach which more accurately reflects real life games.

Seldom do we see such a significant leap forward in an annual titles release, however, MLB The Show 23 really does have all it’s bases covered here. San Diego are to be commended on a significant step forward. With an exceptionally strong new mode that breathes new life into the formula while perfecting and tweaking mechanics, visuals and audio, it’s hard not to recommend MLB The Show 23 to anyone even mildly interested in the great game of baseball. And hey, it’s free on Xbox Game Pass.