MLB The Show 25 is Already Set to Break a Major Series Tradition

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MLB The Show 25 promises a significant shift for Sony’s beloved baseball series, introducing various gameplay enhancements and upgrades to the popular Diamond Dynasty mode. This year’s version seems to be addressing long-standing fan requests, making it an exciting addition to the franchise’s 20th entry. It appears that San Diego Studio is going all out with this celebratory release for the series.

Each year, there’s always excitement about the new gameplay changes in MLB The Show, but another topic that gets people talking is who will be the cover athlete for the franchise. Historically, one notable baseball player has been selected to represent the game on the cover of the popular Major League Baseball title. However, MLB The Show 25 is shaking things up by deviating from a long-held tradition in a significant way.

MLB The Show 25’s Milestone Celebration Will Break Up The Formula

MLB The Show 25 Features Multiple Cover Stars

In a break from previous series conventions, MLB The Show 25 is shaking things up by featuring multiple players as the cover athletes simultaneously. Unlike any game in the franchise’s past, this latest edition will showcase Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, and Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes on its cover.

In summary, these three All-Star athletes from 2024 are below the age of 24, and Henderson and Skenes have been awarded Rookie of the Year titles in their leagues. These young talents symbolize a fresh wave in Major League Baseball, with all three projected to excel for several years ahead. The focus on youth development seems fitting considering MLB The Show 25, being the 20th installment in the series, marks a significant milestone for the gaming franchise.

Previous MLB The Show Games Only Had Different Athletes On Variant Covers

In a unique twist, although this is the first occasion where an MLB: The Show game boasts multiple simultaneous cover athletes, it’s not a novel concept for the franchise. From 2012 to 2018, Canadian versions of the game showcased distinct players from the Toronto Blue Jays, while the series itself has also featured separate covers for Korean and Taiwanese releases, spotlighting athletes from those regions in various installments.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve been thrilled to see some innovative changes in the series lately, one of which is the special edition alternate covers showcasing legendary players from baseball history. In MLB The Show 21, the Special Edition boasted the iconic Los Angeles Dodgers pioneer Jackie Robinson, while MLB The Show 23 displayed the esteemed former New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter on its cover. Interestingly, even though fans were given a chance to choose the cover athlete in MLB 13: The Show, each nominee still made an appearance in the game’s opening cutscene. However, what truly sets MLB The Show 25 apart is that it will be the first time multiple athletes share the cover!

It appears that this focus on the future aligns nicely with the fact that MLB The Show 25, the 20th installment in the series, is a significant landmark for the franchise.

MLB The Show 25’s Changes Are On More Than Just The Cover

In a departure from past games in the series, MLB The Show 25 is poised to shake up some established norms. Unlike its predecessors that graced the PlayStation 4 for 11 consecutive releases, this game will be exclusively launched on modern hardware, namely the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. However, it’s also planned for release on the Nintendo Switch. Breaking another tradition, MLB The Show 25 won’t be accessible through any console subscription services at its launch.

Sony’s San Diego Studio seems to be placing significant emphasis on MLB The Show 25 being a standout in the series. With substantial gameplay adjustments, enhanced Diamond Dynasty features, a concentration on advanced hardware, and its departure from subscription services, this game appears poised to bring about more change than several past installments. The selection of three rising stars for the cover art seems like a tribute to what lies ahead, not just for the franchise, but for Major League Baseball as well.

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2025-02-21 18:34