MLB The Show 24: Is It Worth Buying? Review & Comparison

Release date: March 19, 2024 ·
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch ·
Developer: San Diego Studio ·
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment ·
Free on PlayStation Plus: September 2024

Key specifications for MLB The Show 24 are summarized in the table below.

Is MLB The Show 24 worth buying?

Who should buy MLB The Show 24?

• Players interested in the new women’s story mode or the Ohtani rule.
• PS Plus subscribers who can grab it at no extra cost.
• Budget-conscious gamers who don’t need the latest roster update.

Bottom line: MLB The Show 24 is what its marketing says: a personal story of baseball ambition. PS Plus subscribers: grab it. Others: weigh the unique story mode against the incremental updates in 25.

Does MLB 24 have a story mode?

Road to the Show: Women Pave Their Way

Yes, MLB The Show 24 introduces “Road to the Show: Women Pave Their Way,” a full narrative career path. WellPlayed described it as “a personalised, female-driven story arc.” Players create a female player and guide her from the minors to the majors, with cutscenes and branching decisions.

How the story mode works

• You start by creating a female player (body type, hairstyle, uniform).
• Narrative cutscenes advance the story — dialogue choices affect relationships and progression.
• Gameplay includes on-field challenges and off-field press interactions.

Customization options in story mode

Nintendo World Report noted that the create-a-player system includes multiple female body types, hairstyles, and uniform styles. The exact number of options isn’t officially documented, but early hands-on coverage suggests robust variety.

The inclusion of a female-driven narrative marks a significant step for the series.

Is MLB 24 or 25 better?

Key differences between MLB The Show 24 and 25

Six areas, one pattern: MLB The Show 25 brought updated rosters and some new modes, but 24 introduced the women’s story and Ohtani rule first.

Which game has better gameplay?

Digital Chumps praised 24’s “spectacular” gameplay and graphics, including umpire AI and new defensive plays. Early reactions to 25 note incremental improvements, but 24’s core engine is still rock solid.

Which game has more content?

24 has the unique women’s story and Ohtani rule as headliners. 25 adds roster updates and some Diamond Dynasty tweaks (Metacritic characterizes 24 as a “wonderfully curated sports sim”). For pure quantity of special modes, 24 leads until 25 proves otherwise.

What is the Ohtani rule?

Definition of the Ohtani rule

Named after Shohei Ohtani, the Ohtani rule allows a starting pitcher to also bat as the designated hitter in the same game. It was a real MLB rule change that MLB The Show 24 implemented for the first time in the series.

How the Ohtani rule works in MLB The Show 24

• When you assign a pitcher, you can also slot them as the DH in the lineup.
• The game automatically switches positions when the pitcher is done throwing.
• Works in both exhibition and franchise modes.

Impact on gameplay

Nintendo World Report noted that the Ohtani rule adds strategic depth: you can pinch-hit for your pitcher without losing their arm, or let them bat late in close games. It changes how you build a rotation.

The Ohtani rule is a strategic addition that deepens managerial decisions.

Can you make a girl in MLB The Show 24?

Character creation options for female players

Yes. MLB The Show 24 includes female body types, multiple hairstyles, and uniform fittings. Digital Chumps confirmed these options as part of the Women Pave Their Way experience.

How to create a female character in Road to the Show

• Start a new Road to the Show save and select “Women Pave Their Way” mode.
• Choose a female body type during character creation.
• Adjust hairstyle, face, and uniform details — options are comparable to male creation.

Available customization features

• Body type (female preset)
• Hairstyles (short, long, braided, etc.)
• Uniform fit (tailored to female physique)
• Batting and pitching stances (shared with male players)

The character creation system offers meaningful representation for female players.

For the budget-conscious baseball fan in 2025, the choice is straightforward: MLB The Show 24 offers a unique story, a genuine gameplay twist in the Ohtani rule, and the convenience of being free on PS Plus. If you can live without the 2025 rosters, it delivers hours of polished sim action at near-zero cost. For those who crave the freshest content, the wait for a discount on MLB The Show 25 is the smarter play — or you can enjoy both for the price of one subscription.