MLB The Show 23 Reviews

MLB The Show 23 is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9.5 / 10.0
Apr 1, 2023

Even though annual sports games are becoming more of a joke, MLB The Show remains an impeccable product. It offers several ways to enjoy the baseball experience, whether it’s creating your own character in Road to the Show or trying to build a championship team in either Franchise or Diamond Dynasty. But the most important part of MLB The Show 23 is the Negro League Storylines. San Diego Studios should be praised for telling the amazing stories of baseball’s forgotten stars. It’s features like this that transform a game into something more than just random pixels on-screen, and that’s exactly what MLB The Show 23 managed to do. San Diego Studio didn’t just manage to craft a good baseball game, but something special that goes beyond the sport it represents, which is no small feat for any title, more so for an annual sports game.

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9.5 / 10.0
Apr 5, 2023

MLB The Show 23 left laziness aside and, instead of just updating rosters and changing the cover, it made discreet improvements, but which greatly benefited the experience of those who wanted something more complete. The addition of a Negro League-focused mode was the move that established the franchise's title as one of the best ever made in the sport.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

IGN
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Mar 31, 2023

MLB The Show 23 is a great step forward for the series, thanks in large part to its brilliant new Negro Leagues mode.

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Mar 28, 2023

MLB The Show 23 will have you practice your best home run calls because the latest installment in the iconic franchise knocks it out of the park. The game's new storylines mode, improved animations, and latest gameplay changes are worth the price of entry to your favorite ballpark this year.

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90 / 100
Apr 1, 2023

MLB The Show 23 is the best-damned sports game money can buy. I think I say this every year, but the fact remains: Sony San Diego provides the most authentic representation of a sport with their MLB The Show series. Just as I did with The Show 22, I’ll be playing this year’s entry right up until next season. Take me out to the ballgame, and don’t ever bring me back.

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Apr 3, 2023

MLB The Show 23 dives deep into its best modes, refreshing the experience with a bevy of new features and tweaks to make the old feel new. The addition of the WBC and the long-awaited inclusion of the Negro Leagues makes this year's version the best Show to date.

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9 / 10.0
Mar 28, 2023

You can get deep into the details with hardcore simulation play, especially with the improved in-game UI that gives you a cleaner readout on the specifics of your pitch or swing. You can also flip the game to casual and just sit back and relax, ripping some dingers and striking some dudes out. Or you can toss out the idea of playing full games and just experience history in the incredible Negro League Storylines mode. Even if the visuals border on being potato quality, this game rocks on Switch.

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9 / 10.0
Mar 27, 2023

MLB The Show 23 is yet another triumph by San Diego Studio. The new Storylines mode should become a yearly staple as baseball has such a rich history to draw from and amazing players to spotlight.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 6, 2023

MLB The Show 23 does enough to revamp an excellent formula, while the Storylines: Negro Leagues mode serves as an important history lesson within the confines of the game.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 14, 2023

Another year, another triumph, the consistency of the team at San Diego Studio continues to amaze, and MLB The Show 23 is a true gem of a baseball game. No matter which mode you find yourself in, there’s something to marvel at, and with the big addition of the Negro Leagues mode, this is one baseball sim that is heavy on the history lessons and may yet make history itself as well.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 4, 2023

Seldom do we see such a significant leap forward in an annual titles release, however, MLB The Show 23 really does have all its bases covered here. San Diego are to be commended on a significant step forward.

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4.4 / 5.0
Apr 9, 2023

MLB The Show 23 has claimed the title as the best edition in the series and with the abundance of major and minor changes, improvements and additions made, how could it not be? It has to be said that the new Storylines is a masterful addition to the series and playing some of the Negro League’s most iconic figures is nothing short of brilliance.

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8.8 / 10.0
Apr 12, 2023

Real-life Major League Baseball continues to evolve in ways to encourage faster play in hopes of appealing to a broader audience, but MLB The Show 23 feels somehow ahead of the game. At the same time, the new Storylines mode shows the past is just as important as the future, providing players with the best of both worlds. Myriad options and modes allow you to engage with America’s Pastime precisely how you want, and in the process, MLB The Show 23 delivers one of the best baseball games in years.

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 27, 2023

MLB The Show 23 is a superb title that has a great balance of enjoyable gameplay, well-researched and deeply educational story elements.

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85 / 100
Apr 7, 2023

MLB The Show 23 moves the franchise forward in several ways. The Negro Leagues storyline shines bright as the best addition we've seen in the series. While San Diego Studios didn't pitch a perfect game, they delivered a game worthy of being called The Show.

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8.5 / 10.0
Apr 6, 2023

After repeating the same exact gameplay year after year, MLB The Show 23 finally offers some interest-ing new features in an fresh enjoyable experience, both in old and in new game modes. There's a great atmosphere on the diamond, and there are tons of things to do, games to play, stars to unlock. Some shadows on the online, with a netcode that it's shaky at times.

Review in Italian | Read full review

85 / 100
Mar 27, 2023

MLB The Show 23 is far from a perfect game. Diamond Dynasty is still a pay to win, albeit without so much brazenness; the character models still need a little more work for photorealism, while aspects such as character creation still need more work for a player to take advantage of. However, this is the best installment in the history of an excellent sports franchise.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Apr 10, 2023

While San Diego Studio doesn’t take a huge leap with MLB The Show 23 compared to last year’s game, it’s still entertaining and the best baseball game on the planet. The addition of The Negro Leagues mode makes for a deeper and more enriching experience.

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85 / 100
Mar 30, 2023

Supported by the great new Storylines mode and the already incredibly solid foundation of previous years, MLB The Show 23 is another excellent sports simulator game from the masters of baseball. There were few changes, but the series keeps showing how much it understands the players' passion for the past, present and future of the sport and brings something capable of satisfying every fan.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

83 / 100
Apr 16, 2023

MLB The Show 23 doesn't reinvent the genre, but the franchise continues to stand as one of the best on the market. The gameplay is fantastic across all phases of the sport, and the line-up of modes has been improved thanks to the addition of Storylines. There is still room for improvement, but The Show remains a contender for best sports title of the year.

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