Baseball is a wonderful game. It is fun to watch, and it is fun to play. It is a blast to enjoy baseball on consoles or desktops. As a baseball fan who enjoys it in any form and shape, and simultaneously a devotee of video games, I incessantly pursue the latest and most remarkable baseball video games to indulge in. I must say that the present market is stocked with some astoundingly phenomenal options that should satisfy any gameplay style. There are also some past games that were incredible at their time, and you can read about them in this piece: 4 Baseball video games of the past that deserve a second life. This article will explore six of the most outstanding baseball video games currently available:
- MLB The Show 23
- Super Mega Baseball 3
- RBI Baseball 21
- Out of the Park Baseball 24
- Baseball Mogul 2022
- Home Run Derby VR
MLB The Show 23
Let’s commence with the game currently earning the most attention: MLB The Show 23, arguably the best baseball simulation video game today. San Diego Studio developed this game, while Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) publish it on 23 March 2023. It has Jazz Chisholm Jr. as the cover star, and it is the newest addition to the long-standing franchise of MLB The Show. It can be played on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. There are no visible differences between new-gen and previously-gen consoles.
MLB The Show 23 has excellent core gameplay and lots of game modes that you can read about here: What are the most popular game modes in MLB The Show 23? But what separates it from its predecessors is its expanded cross-platform play, permitting gamers on various consoles to engage in a match against one another for the first time. MLB The Show 23 encompasses several modes, including Diamond Dynasty, a collectible card game mode, Road to the Show, a single-player career mode, and Franchise mode, where the player can manage a team over several seasons. Lots of customizations are possible, and many subtle updates enhance the player’s experience.
One of the most notable features of MLB The Show 23 is its meticulous attention to detail. The game’s graphics are simply breathtaking, portraying realistic player models and exquisitely designed stadiums that accurately replicate real-life locations. The gameplay is impressively smooth and responsive, making it an effortless task to hit, pitch, and field. Furthermore, the game comprises all MLB teams and stadiums, as well as a plethora of minor league teams and stadiums. In addition, players can create their dream team using current and iconic past players, or insert themselves into a rooster by creating a custom player. To find out more about this last feature, you should check out this reddit thread that explains how Scan Face app works in MLB The Show 23.
Super Mega Baseball 3
If you’re looking for a more casual baseball game that’s still loads of fun, then Super Mega Baseball 3 might be right up your alley. Developed by Metalhead Software and published by Nacon, Super Mega Baseball 3 is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
What sets Super Mega Baseball 3 apart from other baseball games is its over-the-top style. Maybe you’ll find it strange in the beginning, but you will soon get used to its cartoonish player models and exaggerated animations. The cartoonish visuals are its identity, which gives it a unique look and feel, or as they said: “It is a feature, not a bug”. The gameplay is also a bit more arcadey than other baseball games, so I won’t put it among the baseball sims, however, it is very fun to play. with a focus on power-hitting and flashy fielding. It has a classic arcady feel, so if you like this style, you’ll undoubtedly become a fan.
Let’s not forget why we found this game here: it is a baseball video game, and despite its cartoonish aesthetic, Super Mega Baseball 3 is still a very deep sports game. It features a number of different modes, including Franchise mode, Elimination mode (where you play a series of short games against other teams), and Pennant Race mode (where you compete against other players online)…it is a well-rounded baseball game. In addition, the customization options are impressive, allowing you to create your own team and customize your players’ appearance and abilities. Because MLB The Show 23 is not on PC, Super Mega Baseball seems a good alternative.
RBI Baseball 21
If you’re a fan of classic baseball games, then RBI Baseball 21 might be the game for you. RBI Baseball 21 is developed by Major League Baseball and published by MLB Advanced Media, essentially a partnership between the MLB club owners that try to circumvent the big developer studios. To beat giants like EA Sports, you must come with a great video game, and RBI Baseball 21 is quite good. You can still play the game but you should know that RBI Baseball 22 was canceled and no further releases will be available. The league and club owners recommend MLB The Show. In any case, RBI Baseball 21 is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
RBI Baseball 21 is a throwback to the classic baseball games of the 80s and 90s, featuring simple graphics and gameplay, with a focus on arcade-style action, simplicity, and fun. The game includes all 30 MLB teams and stadiums, as well as a number of legendary players from throughout baseball history, making the most of their position on the Internet and interactive branch of Major League Baseball, however, it is not a baseball simulation video game.
While RBI Baseball 21 is certainly a simpler game than some of the other titles on this list, it’s still a lot of fun to play with its retro charm that is hard to resist. It could be a good game for players who do not want to dive into the world of baseball full-time. So if you want to avoid the complexity of game titles like MLB The Show or Super Mega Baseball 3, try RBI Baseball 21. I am sure that its pick-up-and-play style makes it a great game for casual players.
Out of the Park Baseball 24
I’ll move on to simulation-heavy baseball games, and I want to present you this year’s release Out of the Park Baseball 24. This baseball management video game is Developed by Out of the Park Developments and published by MLB Advanced Media. It is not available on consoles, this is a desktop-only video game, currently available for PC, Linux, and Mac.
Out of the Park Baseball 24 is a deep, complex game that’s geared towards serious baseball fans who want to experience what it’s like to manage a team. It is a team manager kind of game, probably the most advanced in this regard. The game features a wide range of options and settings and received big updates on graphics, animations, and gameplay. “Out of the Park Baseball 24” allows you to customize everything from the league rules to the AI behavior, and for the first time you can “get personal with your players”. The game includes real-world MLB players, teams, and stats, but also a number of fictional leagues and players.
The game’s Franchise mode is where “Out of the Park Baseball 24 really shines, allowing you to take control of a team and manage it over multiple seasons. Like any management video game, you’re tasked with taking care of everything, and you have to make decisions about everything from player contracts to team finances, and your decisions will have a real impact on your team’s performance. The game’s advanced AI means that every game is different, so you can expect unpredictable outcomes that will keep you on your toes, which translates into increased replayability.
Baseball Mogul 2022
If you’re looking for a baseball game that’s heavy on the stats and the numbers, then Baseball Mogul 2022 might be the game for you. Developed by Sports Mogul Inc. and available on PC, Baseball Mogul 2022 is a simulation game that puts you in the shoes of a baseball team owner.
Baseball Mogul 2022 is all about numbers. The game includes real-world MLB teams and players, but its focus is on simulating the statistics and outcomes of games. You’ll have to make decisions about everything from player trades to lineup changes, and your success will depend on your ability to analyze and understand the stats.
The game’s depth is impressive, with a huge amount of data and information to sift through. You can customize your team’s strategy and play style, and the game’s AI will adjust accordingly. And if you’re really into the numbers, you can even create your own custom leagues and teams.
Home Run Derby VR
Finally, we have Home Run Derby VR, which is different than all the other games on this list of best baseball video games because it is a VR game. The name says it all — if you want a virtual reality baseball game that’s all about hitting home runs, Home Run Derby VR is the only choice. The game is developed by MLB Advanced Media and Home Run Derby VR, and it is available on PlayStation VR, Oculus Quest, and Steam VR.
Home Run Derby VR is a simple game, but it’s a lot of fun thanks to VR. The game puts you in the shoes of a batter in a home run derby competition, and your goal is to hit as many home runs as possible within the time limit. The game’s physics are realistic, and hitting home runs feels satisfying and rewarding.
The game’s VR technology adds a whole new level of immersion to the experience. You can look around the stadium and soak in the atmosphere, and VR will make you feel like you’re there. This kind of experience is not available to other games, however, the game does not have all the features a game like MLB The Show 23 has. And if you’re a competitive player, the game includes online leaderboards, so you can see how you stack up against other players.
Conclusion
It was a pleasure to write this article as I enjoy sports games. Not only baseball games but pretty much everything… I hope fans of baseball and players who want to buy cheap games will enjoy my selection, and hopefully, they will find something to play. As you’ve seen, there are a ton of great baseball video games that you can play right now, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and suitable for casual players looking for fun arcade-style games, or serious baseball fans who want to manage a team and crunch the numbers.
On a personal note, I regret that RBI Baseball was canceled as it was for many years one of my favorites in the past. My favorites right now are MLB The Show 23 and Super Mega Baseball 3. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions.
