MLB The Show 21 released on both PlayStation and Xbox consoles, but is best played on current-gen. MLB The Show 21 released on PS4 and Xbox One as well as PS5 and Xbox Series X, but has some drastic differences when played on their newer counterparts. There is often messy crossover when games release on two generations of consoles at once, and a heavy spotlight put on games which release in that window of time. Developers can be easily criticized for either not putting in enough new features for next-gen users, or putting too much and forgetting about the last generation.

Games like Cyberpunk 2077 experienced heavy criticism for their nearly unplayable versions on PS4 and Xbox One, but thankfully MLB The Show 21 does a decent job overall of catering to all versions of the game. Most of the game modes and gameplay is the same between all versions, but there are some key differences. Fans of the franchise will have to accept these differences because the hardware capabilities between consoles vary greatly. MLB The Show 21 certainly isn’t unplayable on current generation, but it is best played on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

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MLB The Show 21 was announced with a trailer that included 4K/60fps gameplay. These numbers are only able to be hit on next-gen consoles. The biggest disappointment for current generation players is lower frame rates. Graphically, MLB The Show 21 looks great in a still image, but the PS4 and Xbox One versions do not compare to current-gen when it comes to frames. These difference are very noticeable when a ball is put in play, with a lot of moving parts not flowing as they should. Playing on PS5 and Xbox Series X, on the other hand, looks and feels great. Consistent high frames in 4K really push MLB The Show 21 into the category of a “next-generation” game.

MLB The Show 21’s Stadium Creator Is Detailed & Addictive

Stadium Creator is a huge loss for last generation versions of MLB The Show 21. It is surprising how much time San Diego Studios put into this, but it was all worth it. Stadium Creator is a canvas for creativity. There can be an endless amount of combinations with over 1,000 props and materials. Players on PS4 and Xbox One are not able to enjoy this creation mode for whatever reason. On the front end, the creation process does not feel like it would be too taxing for last-gen consoles, but the lacking hardware probably held them back from being able to handle this new mode.

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MLB The Show is consistently improving with each new entry into the series, and no longer will Xbox fans be left out from enjoying baseball’s biggest game. However, it may be the last console generation who feel left out now from experiencing the game’s best improvements. On PS4 and Xbox One, MLB The Show 21 is still a fun game with many improvements from last year, but there is no question that the current-gen versions are worth the upgrade. The next generation of sports games is here, with MLB The Show 21 being best played on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

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William Shallenberger
(28 Articles Published)

William is a Screen Rant writer who lives with his wife in Atlanta, Georgia. William graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a degree in Game Programming and Design. When he isn’t writing about or creating video games, he is playing them.

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