Ranking MLB The Show

[tcnumba10]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

I have the Baseball itch and thinking of which game to play, I already have 20, and I’ve been reading that a lot of people prefer 20 over 23. What will I be missing gameplay wise if I play 20 and not 23? What makes it more fun or realistic strictly comparing 20 vs 23?

[jcar0725]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

Totally with you on 18-20.

Gameplay does improve with every version, props to SDS for that. This is the best sports game between the lines, its not even close.

Franchise is awful though. Lifeless. The walking dead. I usually get through the season, export players and build the following years roster. Its basically season mode for me.

Its interesting how different people are. I love the shows franchise mode the way I play it. I think its great.

Sent from my thoughts

[Funkycorm]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

Totally with you on 18-20.

Gameplay does improve with every version, props to SDS for that. This is the best sports game between the lines, its not even close.

Franchise is awful though. Lifeless. The walking dead. I usually get through the season, export players and build the following years roster. Its basically season mode for me.

With 18, I simmed an Indians franchise to the start of 2025 and played that. It was all new storylines. I carried it over to 19 for 2026 and to 20 for 2027. I started playing 21 but went back to 20. It took me 2 years to finish my 2027 season.

I like 23 decently enough and the new scouting and drafting system. Class generation can still be improved. But for me, my biggest annoyance with 21 to 23 is I can't get invested. In 23, I am playing a futures franchise but progressing slowly. Franchise, despite the new scouting and such, is less engaging for me. Hard to describe exactly what feels different but it does.

Honestly, I said I was moving on from 20 because I accomplished all I could in my Indians franchise, but now I don't know. I set 23 down a few weeks ago and the urge to play it isn't there. I honestly think when the baseball itch kicks in again, I am going back to 20. Because of how I am invested in it. Not because 23 is a bad game. I just can't find myself invested with a franchise in 23.

It seems silly but I changed back to a Guardians franchise in 23 before I set it down. But, their classic uniforms bother me enough I lose immersion. Not because they can't have Indians in the game but because their old uniforms say Cleveland for both home and away. I honestly wish they would have made them say Guardians for the home uniforms just to keep with the naming paradigm on their old uniforms. Again, silly... Plus the blue circle got annoying...

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

I have the Baseball itch and thinking of which game to play, I already have 20, and I’ve been reading that a lot of people prefer 20 over 23. What will I be missing gameplay wise if I play 20 and not 23? What makes it more fun or realistic strictly comparing 20 vs 23?

Obviously my opinion,

Defensive animations especially the OF play is beautiful on 22 and 23. The stadium audio and ambiance on 23 is top shelf.

However. Gameplay as a whole for me is vastly superior on 20. Hitting is simply butter and the best it ever was in this series history.

SOTS (Sounds of the Show) for me is an absolute must and I have it on 20 which looks absolutely beautiful on the PS5 at a true locked in 60 FPS.

Presentation for my taste is vastly superior on 20. I much prefer the MLBN theme for National games.
I much prefer the old booth which has far more dynamic commentary if you’re like me and play all 162.

Stat swipes and walk ups feel like baseball to me. The score bugs are comparable.

And then of course the roster/cap/logo vault on 20 is second to none.

You can literally play any season from the 80’s to today and there are plenty of great 60’ and 70’s rosters. Also Bacons very best version of his legendary fictional roster is there. And numerous amazing all time era, all time team and all time rosters in addition to dozens and dozens of single season rosters and some mammoth full 90 man classic rosters for multi year franchise. Check out the classic roster thread in the roster sub forum here for details and a full list of all that is available.

Road to the Show - this was the last great version of RTTS.

So yeah….a lot to unpack but 20 for me top to bottom is the best version of this game to date.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

I have the Baseball itch and thinking of which game to play, I already have 20, and I’ve been reading that a lot of people prefer 20 over 23. What will I be missing gameplay wise if I play 20 and not 23? What makes it more fun or realistic strictly comparing 20 vs 23?

If we"re talking Franchise Mode, the scheduling in 23 has you playing all 29 other teams. And I can't remember for positive but I don't think 20 has the 3 batter minimum for relief pitchers. Maybe someone else can confirm or deny?

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

If we"re talking Franchise Mode, the scheduling in 23 has you playing all 29 other teams. And I can't remember for positive but I don't think 20 has the 3 batter minimum for relief pitchers. Maybe someone else can confirm or deny?

20 has that rule.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[CgyFlames]

Ranking MLB The Show

Come on…..utter BS man.

It’s personal opinions….not bias. It’s totally subjective.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

I have no problem with your objection because I believe you are still playing an older edition. Same with others in your boat.

The “truth serum” of this question is really, which edition are you currently playing? There’s your answer to which you believe is best. For most, though not all, that’s the newest.

Yes, of course my opinion has bias like everyone else. I do believe mine is backed by the wisdom of the crowd.

Games should be fun, enjoy whatever you like!

[mpklub]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

I haven't played 23. 20 is probably favorite of the newer ones. I thought 21 was okay, but the "No night games" glitch and checked swings was a problem for me to get too invested. But on the field I do think it's better than its detractors do.

I really do like 22 quite a bit and would put it a notch behind 23. If it had the 23 schedule, Bacon's Fictional Roster and Cleveland still as the Indians it may very well be my go to Show.

But the consistency of 20, awesome number of rosters, and the hitting engine keep me locked there most of the time. I think hit variety in 22 is pretty darn good. But whenever I switch between 20 and 22 I find myself amazed at just how great hit variety is in 20.

20 gets the nod for me by a bit.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

I have no problem with your objection because I believe you are still playing an older edition. Same with others in your boat.

The “truth serum” of this question is really, which edition are you currently playing? There’s your answer to which you believe is best. For most, though not all, that’s the newest.

Yes, of course my opinion has bias like everyone else. I do believe mine is backed by the wisdom of the crowd.

Games should be fun, enjoy whatever you like!

Exactly….play what you love!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[NYJin2011tm]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

With 18, I simmed an Indians franchise to the start of 2025 and played that. It was all new storylines. I carried it over to 19 for 2026 and to 20 for 2027. I started playing 21 but went back to 20. It took me 2 years to finish my 2027 season.

I like 23 decently enough and the new scouting and drafting system. Class generation can still be improved. But for me, my biggest annoyance with 21 to 23 is I can't get invested. In 23, I am playing a futures franchise but progressing slowly. Franchise, despite the new scouting and such, is less engaging for me. Hard to describe exactly what feels different but it does.

Honestly, I said I was moving on from 20 because I accomplished all I could in my Indians franchise, but now I don't know. I set 23 down a few weeks ago and the urge to play it isn't there. I honestly think when the baseball itch kicks in again, I am going back to 20. Because of how I am invested in it. Not because 23 is a bad game. I just can't find myself invested with a franchise in 23.

It seems silly but I changed back to a Guardians franchise in 23 before I set it down. But, their classic uniforms bother me enough I lose immersion. Not because they can't have Indians in the game but because their old uniforms say Cleveland for both home and away. I honestly wish they would have made them say Guardians for the home uniforms just to keep with the naming paradigm on their old uniforms. Again, silly... Plus the blue circle got annoying...

I found an old save from 18 on my ps plus online storage and I’ve been playing that. I started it on 14 and after each season went to 15,16 and so on. I’ve played every game. Now I want to get to 19 then 20. My first draft pick is now a 94 in his third season in MLB and I’m coming off a WS win in 17. I currently have best record in the league with 11 games to go so I will have a shot to defend my title. I’m invested.

[Madden08PCgmr]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

I found an old save from 18 on my ps plus online storage and I’ve been playing that. I started it on 14 and after each season went to 15,16 and so on. I’ve played every game. Now I want to get to 19 then 20. My first draft pick is now a 94 in his third season in MLB and I’m coming off a WS win in 17. I currently have best record in the league with 11 games to go so I will have a shot to defend my title. I’m invested.

How do you consciously CHOOSE to take this away from people?

Franchise is lifeless as it is, you take away one of the few things that kept people coming back?

Bush league. Electronic Arts-esque.

[Funkycorm]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

I found an old save from 18 on my ps plus online storage and I’ve been playing that. I started it on 14 and after each season went to 15,16 and so on. I’ve played every game. Now I want to get to 19 then 20. My first draft pick is now a 94 in his third season in MLB and I’m coming off a WS win in 17. I currently have best record in the league with 11 games to go so I will have a shot to defend my title. I’m invested.

Awesome!

I actually uninstalled 23 from my PS5 last night and will be starting 2028 on my Indians franchise on 20 once I finish the off season.

[Decent at Best]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

Awesome!

I actually uninstalled 23 from my PS5 last night and will be starting 2028 on my Indians franchise on 20 once I finish the off season.

Funky, did you have your own slider set on 20? (I can't remember for the life of me) I've currently been using Armors set, which is a great set but I'm super "rusty" at baseball games ATM so just looking for a new set til I get "my groove back". Thanks.

Sent from my SM-A146U using Operation Sports mobile app

[countryboy]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

How do you consciously CHOOSE to take this away from people?

Franchise is lifeless as it is, you take away one of the few things that kept people coming back?

Bush league. Electronic Arts-esque.

A couple reasons

1) it was used by a small portion of the user base (OS is almost a niche market compared to overall user base)

2) it’s extremely difficult to maintain and make work with the newest edition of the game. Due to the maintenance difficulties, it’s extremely difficult to make major changes (see draft/scouting this year) to franchise mode.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[reyes the roof]

Re: Ranking MLB The Show

I have a hard time differentiating one year from another, I’d have to say this year is my favorite due to the balanced schedule, followed by the last year of the old commentary team. My second favorite would be the last year before the three batter rule but I think that was 19