![[PlayStation 5] Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter – A Comprehensive Review](https://www.truegames.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PlayStation-5-Tails-of-Iron-2-Whiskers-of-Winter-360x180.jpg "[PlayStation 5] Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter – A Comprehensive Review")
MLB The Show has made its mark on the Nintendo Switch for four years now, and while it’s impressive that this feature-packed sports game runs on Nintendo’s aging hybrid system, it’s becoming tougher to wholeheartedly recommend it unless a Switch is your only option for experiencing virtual baseball. The game itself is impressive, and after covering MLB The Show for Nintendo World Report over these years, I can say this is the sleekest version of the game to date. The developer’s commitment to innovation and refinement across all game modes is commendable, although I do wish the game didn’t have to grapple with the limitations of a decade-old console.
A shining star in this edition is the overhaul of the online-only Diamond Dynasty mode. For those unfamiliar, Diamond Dynasty is a persistent mode where you gather virtual cards to create a custom team for various single-player and multiplayer challenges. In the past years, the constant resetting due to new sets and seasons complicated things, often nullifying your previous collections. Thankfully, this is no longer the case for 2025, although this adjustment has resulted in a slower pace for team building. Overall, it’s a positive move.
Diamond Dynasty also features an exciting addition: a roguelike board game mode known as Diamond Quest. You throw a die to explore a grid, uncover spaces, and tackle challenges. It’s a fantastic idea, blending quick tasks (like striking out two batters in an inning) with lengthier challenges (such as completing a 3-inning game). However, on the Switch, what should be a snappy, engaging experience is marred by sluggish load times, turning enjoyment into frustration. Despite the innovative concept, the pace drags, not helped by limited challenge variety.
Switch users might find Road to the Show mode more appealing this year. Following an extensive revamp a year ago, this iteration irons out some storytelling wrinkles and lets you start your journey in high school or college. Last year, I felt this mode wasn’t fully ready for prime time on the Switch, but this year it’s markedly improved, even though technical issues persist.
Franchise mode was not something I was deeply involved with in the past, though I always enjoyed similar modes in sports games. Recent reworkings have made it significantly more intriguing as a general manager simulation. If crunching numbers and strategizing for free agency, drafts, and arbitrations appeal to you, you’re in for an engaging experience. The tutorials could still use some polish—I struggled during my first offseason despite being versed in baseball’s offseason maneuvers. But once I grasped the basics, the fun of shaping a team using the myriad available options was truly rewarding.
The Storylines museum modes that have been part of MLB The Show since 2023 seem to have hit a bit of a plateau this year. Still, exploring the legacy of Negro League icons like Cool Papa Bell and Turkey Stearnes remains fascinating. Sony has promised more Storylines in future updates, which is exciting, though it’s disappointing that something akin to last year’s Derek Jeter Storyline is missing. Nonetheless, the Negro Leagues content continues to shine, even if it occasionally dips into familiar territory from previous titles.
For those limited to the Nintendo Switch, MLB The Show 25 delivers a competent take on the series’ polished gameplay and varied modes, but every element feels a bit compromised. Hopefully, a potential Switch 2 will offer a more suitable home for MLB The Show 26.
