MLB The Show 26 review

With April over halfway done, we are well underway into the 2026 MLB season. That means it's time to dive, once again, into San Diego Studios latest release of MLB The Show. I've been the "baseball guy" here at GamingTrend over the past few years, and it's been fun to see the studio continue stepping up their game every year with new visuals, upgrades, and modifications to their already well oiled machine. Annual sports titles walk a fine line between innovation and continuation, feeling more akin to a major update or DLC addition. After taking some cuts in the cage, putting time into the major game modes, and checking out some of the new features, MLB The Show 26 doesn't leap as far as its previous entries. However, they still manage to improve the experience enough to be a great addition to die hard and new players alike. So, let's go around the horn and dive into MLB The Show 26!

On the field, The Show continues to showcase why its system of pitching, fielding, and hitting delivers every year. New game modes or features are exciting, but The Show always seems to hit the sweet spot on the feel of the game, pitch-to-pitch, hit-to-hit. This year, the team added more polish and depth than ever, with players able to feel the responsiveness and precision in every pitch, hit, and play they make.

Speaking of new features, in my previous reviews for MLB The Show, I consistently praised the studio for bringing the line between video game and reality closer and closer. 2026, as expected, delivers with the ABS Challenge System. ABS stands for Automated Ball-Strike, and just like it's making its MLB debut this year, players now have the ability to use that in-game. The ABS system is simple but massively impacts the game. Each team gets two challenges, which can be used by either the hitter, catcher, or pitcher if they believe the umpire got the call wrong. If the player is correct and the call is overturned, they get to keep that challenge, but if they're wrong, the entire team loses that challenge for the rest of the game. The  ABS system has already been making waves across the MLB, and I am a big fan of it. I kept an inning going due to winning a called third strike challenge, thus keeping my at bat going, which lead to a clutch moment with a late game hit.

Outside of the newly implemented ABS Challenge System, I'm in love with what's referred to as "Bear Down Pitching." In this new feature added to The Show 26, players can select specific pitches to have increased velocity and location for clutch moments. Syncing with the expanded features and attributes, players can gain "bear down pitches" by throwing strikes as well as raising that player's clutch attribute. The higher the clutch attribute, the more "bear down pitches" you can save up. You'll also earn them at an increased rate over others.  I enjoyed this system, coming from a pitching background, because it rewards playing the game smart and calling for those pitches when needed.

Rounding second base, let's move to the newly expanded Road to The Show. RTTS has players create a custom character to set their sights on making it to the big leagues. Starting at the high school playoffs, players will be scouted by colleges that offer different perks and equipment packages in an attempt to win you over to choose their university. From there, the grind really begins as you work your way through college, the minor leagues, and finally the big stage. With an expanded perk system that allows for a clearer path in how I wanted to develop my player's play style, this year offers a better way to control your trajectory into the big leagues.

Diamond Dynasty has been the anchoring game mode of The Show for many years now. Elevated in recent years by San Diego Studio's transition into a full live service model with continuous updates and content drops, the team regularly adds reasons for players to come back and keep playing. If you're unfamiliar, Diamond Dynasty is this game's version of an Ultimate Team mode. By completing various quests or simply playing games, you'll earn card packs containing past and current MLB players, including iconic legends of the game.

Returning to Diamond Dynasty this year, we have a revamped World Baseball Classic, which allows your team to participate in the international tournament surging in popularity recently. Like I mentioned before, Diamond Dynasty is the headline mode, and as such,feels like it got a lot of love this year with expanded Mini Seasons and an all new tier of player cards. Red Diamond rarity cards are the apex of aspiration for those grinding this addictive mode. At a rating of 95 overall or higher, the dev team's goal was for these legendary players to have their own legendary tier. I haven't come close to obtaining any of these yet, but that won't stop me from pursuing the Troy Tulowitzki card. Overall, this mode got a boost with the new features and gives die hard fans even more to love.

Batting cleanup, we have my favorite feature of the franchise. Storylines: The Negro Leagues, of course, makes its triumphant return with Season 4 and the execution is top-notch as expected. Returning as well is the wonderful Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, showcasing his insight, stories, and charismatic presentation that creates a first-class experience for some of baseball's "unsung" legends. Storylines feels like a personal tour through the highlights of greats such as Pop Lloyd and Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, the first and only female pitcher in the Negro Leagues. 

Finally, let's discuss the elephant in the room. Is it worth picking up a copy of The Show 26? Sadly, the answer is a little complicated. San Diego Studio and their team of talented, passionate developers clearly have the formula down for what works. While there are great additions, features, and a new season of Storylines to dive into, does this move the needle on innovation enough?

While what we have up to bat this year is a fantastic outing, the gap between a fresh title and a big DLC drop is, I believe, slowly getting smaller. Cruise control when you've nailed down what is one of, if not, the best sports simulation games on the market can be tempting. However, I feel in order to draw in new players and prevent some of the hardcore fans from feeling stagnant with the series, something brand new might be needed to replace some of the less popular game modes like Franchise, which feels the same as last year.

Rounding third and heading home, MLB The Show 26 ultimately feels like a game that knows exactly what it is. Its gameplay and visual presentation remain a gold glove standard for every sports sim to strive for.  Refined mechanics and expanded systems make every pitch and at-bat feel responsive and rewarding. Diamond Dynasty and Road to the Show are now deeper and more engaging, even if the structure is mostly the same as past years. Storylines is, and always will be, my biggest reason to pick up the new title every year. I can't shout loud enough for diehard fans and newcomers alike to check out. Still, for anyone who loves baseball, this is an easy recommendation—a confident, highly polished entry that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but continues to execute its formula at an elite level.