For the first time, MLB The Show 25 includes college baseball in its gameplay, allowing players to begin their careers in high school, move through college, and aspire for the majors.
This feature improves the “Road to the Show” mode, providing a more immersive experience for both fans and gamers.
College Baseball Returns to Video Games: MLB The Show 25 Leads the Charge
According to the promotional material for MLB The Show 2025, players can “begin your Road To The Show journey by playing two to three games in High School, and play three to four College games in The Amateur Years,” with the college portion of the game featuring “the clank of metal bats and the rattle of chain link fences.”
The game includes eight prominent NCAA Division I programs:
- LSU Tigers
- Texas Longhorns
- UCLA Bruins
- Vanderbilt Commodores
- Tennessee Volunteers
- South Carolina Gamecocks
- TCU Horned Frogs
- Cal State Fullerton Titans
These teams are well-known for their extensive baseball histories and have produced countless MLB stars.
A spokesman for the Tennessee baseball program confirmed to the Knoxville News Sentinel that the Vols would be featured in the game. A Vanderbilt baseball representative confirmed to The Tennessean that the Commodores were in the game.
MLB The Show 25 replicates the flavor of college baseball by including unique aspects like metal bats that make the distinctive “ping” sound and authentic stadium atmospheres. These aspects offer players a genuine collegiate baseball experience.
EA Sports’ Baseball Legacy
EA Sports has a storied history with baseball video games:
- Triple Play Series (1995–2002): Offered arcade-style gameplay with real MLB teams and players.
- MVP Baseball Series (2003–2005): Praised for its realistic gameplay and depth, MVP Baseball 2005 is often cited as one of the best baseball video games ever made.
- MVP 06 & 07 NCAA Baseball: Focused on college baseball, these titles featured authentic NCAA teams and provided a unique experience separate from MLB-focused games.
The abrupt end of EA’s collegiate sports games was mainly due to licensing concerns and legal issues involving the use of player likenesses without compensation. However, recent modifications to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations have allowed college players to return to video games.
The integration of college baseball into MLB The Show 25 could indicate a revival of interest in college sports games.
Also Read: When Are College Baseball Players Eligible for the MLB Draft?
With the evolving landscape of NIL and licensing agreements, specialized college baseball titles could return, providing fans with a more in-depth look at the collegiate baseball landscape.
MLB The Show 25 is currently available on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. In this ground-breaking addition to the baseball gaming genre, you can follow a high school superstar through college and beyond.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
