MLB The Show 25 Release Date And 10 Things You Should Know

It’s almost time for MLB The Show 25 to release.

I’ve compiled the most important data released through Sony San Diego’s info dumps, and here are the 10 things you should know about the upcoming release.

Release Date

MLB The Show 25 is scheduled to release on March 18, 2025, with early access beginning March 14, 2025, for those who pre-order the Digital Deluxe Edition.

Platforms

The game remains available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, but Sony San Diego has dropped its support for PS4 and Xbox One. While dropping last-gen systems is a step in a direction that could facilitate vastly improved visuals, The Show won’t truly leap to another graphical level until the Nintendo Switch 2 is released.

At that point, all supported systems will be able to handle higher-fidelity visuals. In case you’re wondering, no, there still isn’t a PC version.

Pre-Order Offers

Consumers can still pre-order MLB The Show 25. Pre-ordering any edition unlocks a Gold Choice Pack for Diamond Dynasty. Pre-ordering the Standard Edition ($69.99) includes five The Show Packs, while the Digital Deluxe Edition ($99.99) adds early access (March 14), 10 additional Show Packs, and 10,000 Stubs (in-game currency).

In case you’re someone who still wants a physical copy, Standard Edition pre-orders at retailers like GameStop or Best Buy include one of three MLB The Show Topps Trading Cards (while supplies last) as an additional incentive.

The Cover Athletes

Sony went with three cover athletes for this version of the game, targeting a trio of the most dynamic and popular young players in the majors.

Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher), Elly De La Cruz (Cincinnati Reds shortstop), and Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles shortstop/third baseman) are all on the cover of MLB The Show 25.

Diamond Dynasty Changes

Diamond Dynasty will not feature Sets and Seasons this year, meaning users can play with their favorite cards all year long. DD will also introduce a new mode called Diamond Quest.

It’s a roguelike-inspired mode that has seemingly replaced Conquest. In Diamond Quest, players earn rewards through moment challenges and boss encounters. There are also multiple changes to Team Affinity to establish even more incentive to collect cards from players on your favorite team.

Gameplay Enhancements

Fielder urgency was one of the biggest improvements I focused on during the pre-release content. Fielders in the new game should react more appropriately based on their fielding ratings, making the impact of good and bad defensive players more accurate on the field.

A new concept called ShowTech will provide over 100 new animations for realism, as well as Quick Time Events to augment some aspects of gameplay.

From a difficulty standpoint, The Show 25 will also feature the new G.O.A.T. difficulty for expert players.

Ambush Hitting sounds like an enhanced version of Guess Pitch, which, when used properly, was an excellent hitting tool.

Audio Upgrades

I’m a fan of The Show’s commentary. That’s why the addition of more mode-specific lines has me excited about playing this year’s game. Immersion is king in sports video games, and good audio plays a major role.

Road to the Show Revamped

You could make the argument that Road to the Show saw the most attention of any mode in this year’s game. RTTS will now feature The Amateur Years, which lets you start in high school and college with eight licensed schools.

There is now a new Path to 99 Progression, which allows for more customizable attributes and perks.

Franchise Mode Improvements

Second to RTTS on the attention list might be Franchise Mode. The feature got a major update with reworked contract negotiations mirroring real-world market values (including arbitration hearings), an enhanced trade logic system for fairer deals, and updated prospect rankings valuing relievers and closers accurately. Player cards now show last-10-game stats and draft history, giving you deeper roster management tools to build a dynasty. I cannot wait to see how the offseason flows in this year’s game.

New Legends

The final piece of the pre-release puzzle is the unveiling of all the new legends. We know Roger Clemens, Manny Ramirez, and James “Cool Papa” Bell are coming as new legends, but we should see the full list—barring some post-launch surprises—just before launch.

My fingers are still crossed for Bo Jackson, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Deion Sanders, and Nomar Garciaparra.

Be on the lookout for the full review once the embargo is lifted.