Introduction

Grab your gloves and your favorite cap! MLB The Show 22 has stepped up to the plate with a few shiny new features and yet another inspiring season of baseball action. Whether you're an armchair manager or dream of batting like Shohei Ohtani—who happens to be this season's cover star—you've got a front-row seat to all the action without having to endure a rain delay. 

Gameplay

Gameplay is where MLB The Show 22 really shines or perhaps more accurately, where it executes a perfectly placed curveball. The controls feel as smooth as a freshly mowed diamond, allowing both newcomers and seasoned veterans to navigate the baseball field with relative ease. The game expands on the classic gameplay mechanics that have made the series a favorite, but this time, there's an exciting twist: the March to October mode now spans multiple seasons instead of ending after just one—like that time you bought a plant, those plans just keep growing. Dynamic stadium creator updates are a real home run, but here’s the catch—these updates are not available on the old-gen consoles like Xbox One or PS4. So if you’re still in the past like a time traveler who can't figure out how to use a flux capacitor, you might feel a tad left out. And while commentary has received refreshing new talent in Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton, the narrative can still get repetitive, occasionally making you ponder just how many times you can hear someone say, “And there’s the pitch!” before your brain starts questioning your life choices. Also worth noting, the game continues to embrace the duality of player roles thanks to Ohtani. You can send him to the mound or let him unleash a mighty swing at the plate—just remember, with great power comes great responsibility...and debates about DH rules.

Graphics

Visually, MLB The Show 22 brings the heat with graphics that make every stadium look as vibrant as a bag of Skittles. It's delightful. On the Xbox Series X, the lighting effects are so crisp you might mistake them for a live broadcast. Players' animations are smoother than a peanut butter sandwich, adding a touch of spectacle that lets you believe you're witnessing history unfold. That said, if you’re playing on the Switch, prepare for visuals that might haunt your dreams—or at least your eyes—thanks to some unfortunate frame rate stutters and jagged edges. Just the price you pay for mobile gameplay, I guess.

Conclusion

In summary, MLB The Show 22 is a solid outing for baseball fans and a worthy continuation of its franchise legacy. Sure, it may not reinvent the wheel—unless the wheel is a pitching wheel, then watch out for fastballs—but it delivers a refined experience filled with thrilling gameplay and a sprinkle of personality. Most importantly, it lets you engage with America’s favorite pastime from the comfort of your couch without risking a sunburn. If you find yourself itching for baseball this summer and can overlook its minor hiccups (and hope for future updates), then grab that controller, channel your inner Ohtani, and go hit some virtual home runs. Just don't forget to bring a snack—everyone knows a good game is always better with nachos.

See Latest Prices for MLB The Show 22 on Xbox Series X/S on Amazon