MLB The Showhas quickly become the central point of one of the biggest stories so far this year. After years of exclusivity on PlayStation, it was big enough news whenMLB the Show 21was announced to be coming to Xbox, but the avalanche of information since then has made it so that the baseball simulator is a huge storyline.
Along with the excitement ofMLB The Show 21coming to Xbox players, the game will also be arriving on Xbox Game Pass on July 01, 2025, when it launches. This is a massive win for Xbox and for its fans, asApril has already been an amazing month for Xbox Game Pass. The addition ofMLB The Show 21should not simply be considered a home run in terms of bringing on the baseball sim to Xbox players, but a grand slam for the service as a whole.
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From PlayStation Exclusive to ‘Free’ With Xbox Game Pass
It is exciting news when any game is added to Xbox Game Pass, but theaddition ofMLB The Show 21to Xbox Game Passis something that cannot be understated, especially considering it will be available on day one when the game launches. This means that a franchise that was once only available on PlayStation is now technically free with Xbox Game Pass, at least compared to being a full-priced title on the PlayStation, and that turnaround is remarkable. If there are fans of the franchise who are still on the fence about which next-generation console to buy (PS5 or Xbox Series X|S), something like this can help make that decision.
MLB The Show 21 Opens the Door to Similar Xbox Game Pass Moves in the Future
MLB The Show 21coming to Xbox Game Pass also opens the door for future games of its ilk coming to the platform. When it was revealed thatPeople Can Fly’sOutriderswould be a day one Xbox Game Pass game, it became more clear than ever that Microsoft/Xbox was being aggressive with its additions in very interesting ways. But whileOutridersis a multiplatform third-party title,MLB The Showis a series that was published by PlayStation and once a Sony exclusive. The move could theoretically open the door to future Xbox Game Pass additions that are currently exclusive to other platforms.
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While it would seem impossible to think that a game likeRatchet and Clankfrom PlayStation or aKirbytitle from Nintendo would be on an Xbox console, the idea that PlayStation budged (perhaps with the right price from Xbox) withMLB The Showopens the door.Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has said that each Xbox Game Pass deal is uniquein terms of the setup between the developer/publisher and Xbox. While it would be a shocker to see Nathan Drake or Mario come to Xbox Game Pass on day one, no one would have suspectedMLB The Showto be a day one title either. Xbox has shown it is willing to make the deals happen.
MLB The Show 21 is the Another Reason Why Xbox Game Pass is the Best Deal in Gaming
In the end, the addition ofMLB The Show 21is another “win” for Xbox and another reason whyXbox Game Pass is the best deal in gaming. The starting point of why the subscription matters is all of the Xbox first-party content, and with the recent Bethesda acquisition, it matters more than ever to have all of those games on day one moving forward and indefinitely. On top of that, Xbox is constantly rotating fun and meaningful games within the service. Microsoft also has recently doubled down on backward compatibility as well, as it has added iconic classic games to Xbox Game Pass.
But with massive games like the aforementioned third-partyOutriderscoming to Xbox Game Pass on day one and nowMLB The Show 21(a once first-party exclusive title) doing the same, it is becoming more clear than ever that Xbox Game Pass is a must-have service. And if the gigantic acquisitions continue to happen, if big-name games are being added to Xbox Game Pass regularly, then fans should expect to see the service continue to grow.
MLB The Show 21is releasing on April 20 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
