Strike Out or Home Run? MLB The Show 22 For Switch (& Xbox!)

In this episode, we take a look at MLB the Show 22 for the Nintendo Switch & Xbox to see if it's a home run or a strikeout.
When it comes to certain franchises, there's one that I purchased practically every year, & that's MLB the show. Over the years they have enhanced graphics, tweaked gameplay, & now brought the series to Sony's direct competition from Nintendo & Microsoft. In 2021, the series debuted on Xbox & was available at no additional charge for Gamepass subscribers. In 2022, it also debuts on the Nintendo Switch.
I participate in the tech tests that MLB the Show puts on each year, normally in early February. I tested the PlayStation version on the PS5 (which I thought looked beautiful) but the Nintendo Switch version left me with a lot of concerns. It had dodgy controls, graphic inconsistencies, & just was not a good experience. A tech demo can still have bugs in it, so when I tried the show 22 on Gamepass on my Xbox One s, I was actually pretty satisfied with it. Enough that I actually decided to pull the trigger & pick up the Switch version.
There's not a whole lot new under the hood once you leave the dugout here. You're provided a number of different graphical & gameplay tweaks you can make along the way, presentation changes, and things to help the game feel the way that you wanted to. One thing that I have not discovered as of yet is a roster of retired players that would be free agents that you could sign. This has been a staple of the series for the last few years, yet it is conspicuous by its absence.
Comparing the graphics between the Xbox One S & the Nintendo Switch is a shock. While not up to the specs of the Series x or Series S or the PlayStation 5, the Xbox One S version still looked very good. Flesh tones look good, the hair looked fairly authentic, colors looked vibrant & rich. On the Switch, oh boy, on the Switch the graphics look very poor in my opinion. The skin tones look plasticy, hair looks like a solid layer, especially with pitchers who have longer hair. It's just not a good look. The developers also did something weird with the scoreboard in the outfield, adding an extra layer of lens flare to cover up otherwise low-resolution graphics. I also thought it was weird that the scoreboard was a different size between versions. I don't know why they would have done this.
While the Xbox is vastly superior when it comes to the graphics, the Switch is vastly superior when it comes to play control. I like using the older MLB the Show 16 pitching & batting mechanics with the slider that you have to press the correct button & time it to get your pitch or make contact with your bat. On the Xbox version, it felt incredibly laggy, I never felt like I got my timing right. On the Switch version, it was amazingly locked in. I tried it first in handheld mode just to remove any television lag or delay from the equation, but it was just as good docked in TV mode.
One of the great things about the latest version of the show is the fact that you can save & play seasons across all devices. So I can start a franchise on the Xbox, continue it on the Switch, & finish it on the PlayStation, or any combination of this. Getting this cross-platform save working took me about 12 hours, it seems like there was some issue with clocks & dates & server syncing, but once I got it set up it has worked beautifully & I really appreciated it.
Switch
Why it RoX
Better play control
I thought the audio sounded better on the Switch
Includes all the features from the other platforms
What could be improved:
Graphics are bowling shoe ugly
Very long load times
Graphical tweaks that don't make sense (scoreboard lens flare)
Legends & Hall of Famers Missing
Xbox
Why it RoX:
Good looking presentation
Available at no additional charge on Gamepass
Includes all the features from other platforms
What could be improved:
Timing mechanic has a lot of lag & delay in it
Audio didn't seem as rich
Legends & Hall of Famers Missing
Which version should you buy?
MLB The Show 22 is the perfect example where graphic fidelity isn't everything. While I prefer the look of the Xbox version, & will be eventually buying the PS5 version for the best graphic delivery, the play control on the Switch version is just tighter. The timing mechanic works better, I think the audio is richer, it's a more enjoyable gameplay experience, even with inferior graphics. Like I mentioned, the graphics are bowling shoe ugly, you can't excuse that, but overall, I really think the Switch version plays amazingly well. I think it plays better than it deserves to, & part of that praise is due to how poorly I felt the Xbox version played. I wouldn't pay $60 for the Switch version, & I didn't as I had a $20 gift card that I used, but it is a decent entry into the franchise & something I have really enjoyed playing, & that is not a take that's just a bit outside.
#MLBTheShow #NintendoSwitch #Xbox

[@RoXolid]

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[@db7000]

Love the brewers to

[@williamkleck637]

Dbacks are my favorite team

[@RoXolid]

The NLDS in 2011 was fun!

[@nathanieleslavik]

One of my classmates in high school was David Hamilton. He was drafted by the Brewers in 2019, played for the Brewers organization in minor league play, and was part of the trade for Hunter Renfroe. Currently plays Double-A for the Portland Sea Dogs in Maine.

[@RoXolid]

That's super cool!

[@redburn1990]

@@RoXoliddoes mlb the show 22 on switch lag real bad like in your video? I want to get it but not if it lags bad like in your video. NBA 2k24 is pretty fluid on the switch I’m just hoping mlb the show 22 isn’t super sluggish like in your video game

[@JosephDexter]

Love my switch version of the game! Go Tigers!

[@DPatt1234]

I grew up a Nintendo kid. Will always be Nintendo first. I’ve owned a ps and Xbox, but I’ve always played my Nintendo devices considerably more. So when this broke that it was coming to the switch I pre ordered asap. The graphics are what I expected, a little downgraded, but when I play a game is all about how it runs/operates and how smooth it is, and the switch version was a home-run in that aspect. Absolutely love it.

[@mcfluffynips]

Aside from the players beady eyes, seems like a fun version for a travel version of the game. Definitely a good choice if you’re on the road a lot.

[@RoXolid]

The players just look plasticy to me. But I'll be damned if it doesn't play terrifically.

[@calebgamer1720]

I have major issues pitching and batting on the switch, especially if I use the joycons. I have it on Xbox series s and the difference is night and day.. I got it for my switch because I wanted a portable version but it’s hard to play even sometimes I’ll be batting and there’s times I can’t hit because the frame rate drops in the middle of swinging

[@RoXolid]

I have found the exact opposite, timing on the switch is a lot better for my style of gameplay

[@wrestlingfigs3093]

What's up dude.. I just bought it on switch so I can play at work.. I use to play it on Vita all the time.. where are you from? Madison here.. Go Brewers!!!!!

[@RoXolid]

I'm originally from Menomonee falls

[@gbblackknight]

PCI hitting control and Pinpoint pitching does not work well on the Switch. I had to change modes to make it more playable. I'm sure it's just because of the lower frame rate than the PS5/SeriesX, plus the Pro Controllers aren't the most accurate.

[@RoXolid]

I have found the exact opposite, that the Xbox is much less responsive than the Switch, which I didn't expect for the reasons you point out regarding frame rate and resolution.

[@gbblackknight]

@@RoXolid I've read others complaining about the Pinpoint control on the Switch. However, I'm glad to hear that some, like you, can use it just fine.

[@RoXolid]

@@gbblackknight for me, the Xbox version is almost unplayable. The demo on the PS5 was fine, but the switch feels amazingly locked in

[@gbblackknight]

@@RoXolid Our eyes must see on different frequencies, b/c I can't pick up the ball quick enough on the Switch haha

[@RoXolid]

The ball, has everything to do on the pitching side with getting the meter to stop properly, and just timing the pictures I guess when you're hitting so I guess there does have to do with the ball. Never mind, I will shut up now, LOL

[@midwestmediashow8863]

You look so cute in your Brewers gear. How realistic is this game? Are there more Cub fans at Brewer home games? Great video Gary!

[@RoXolid]

If it was truly realistic we would have drunken Cubs fans at American Family feild starting fist fights which is exactly why I no longer go to games where Cubs fans will be at. Sad when Cardinals fans are more respectful than the team you represent there Dan

[@midwestmediashow8863]

Is that field with an ie?

[@digitalx3136]

how on earth do you say switch version is better in ANY way then xbox? especially series x the game is absolutely perfect and AMAZING....show 21 was pinpoint amazing on series x aswell

[@RoXolid]

I'm not saying it's better as far as graphical presentation, I'm saying it's better as far as responsiveness in gameplay. I would say go back and listen to how I described the gameplay. The Switch version is bowling shoe ugly, but it plays much better.

[@calebgamer1720]

Gameplay is way more fluid on the Xbox it’s a night and day difference for me. My switch version frame rate dips so hard when batting at times and during the pitching meter as well

[@chain_sawyer7469]

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area so my teams are the Giants AND the Oakland A's!!

[@RoXolid]

I want to get out there to a game some day. I've been to Petco and loved it

[@GeeqShuq77]

So I am a Detroit Tiger fan, yeah I am a glutton for punishment lol. I too have game pass, so will probably just play it on there. The graphics on the Switch version are not surprising, but like you I am surprised that the Switch controls worked better than the Xbox. Anyway, great video, very informative and really helped me decide whether to play it or not. Looking forward to your next video.

[@RoXolid]

Well thanks so much for the compliments I really appreciate it. And hey, there's ties to Milwaukee with detroit, between Cecil fielder and Prince fielder and the Brewers and the tigers! Plus you got to remember when the Brewers were in the American League Detroit was one of our key rivals!

[@destindude1978]

Almost forgot GO CUBBIES!!!

[@donadz]

Let’s goooo Blue Jays!!!!!!

[@RoXolid]

One of the other teams that Paul Molitor ended up playing for! He broke our hearts in Milwaukee!

[@pippingamingplays3772]

go cardinals

[@RoXolid]

Get out. Can we at least both agree that the Cubs suck?

[@jordan9292]

It’s crazy I’m glad you mentioned you thought the throw meter works better on the switch than Xbox series x because I find the same thing. It’s almost like there’s lag on the Xbox but there’s not idk how to describe it but on the switch when I release the button that’s where my meter ends up more often than not just curious if you still found this to be the case?

[@RoXolid]

Yeah, the Switch meter is so much more accurate than the Xbox, it's bizarre but so spot on.

[@ronniecreason7870]

How are you GO Rockies

[@RoXolid]

I have a cousin who lives out that way and move there right after the Rockies got their franchise. I've always wanted to go see a game there but never have

[@Hey_Its_Thor]

Go Twins!

[@RoXolid]

You would... LOL.

[@Hey_Its_Thor]

@@RoXolid well yeah =D

[@destindude1978]

This is my favorite baseball game ever been on game pass playing it every day!

[@TravirusTheKing]

Do you have a copy on the Vita? I do I use to play it to play better with my brother, and My team is Blue Jays then Cleveland Indians.

[@RoXolid]

I never bought a Vita actually.

[@TravirusTheKing]

@@RoXolid I'd say get a Playstation TV if you decide to get one and hack it for the white list mod (this makes it so you can play all vita games otherwise your limited in your game selection), and you get to use a PS4 Controller or a PS3 Controller They might have added the PS5 controller but I doubt it, though it is more likely modded in. Really wish I got one one day I'll have one.

[@RoXolid]

The PlayStation TVs are stupid expensive right now, like I've been seeing I'm going for over 200 bucks easily

[@TravirusTheKing]

@@RoXolid I know I wish I had bought one when I saw at $150 CAD, but I waited to long and missed out.

[@deedeemerry1295]

@@TravirusTheKing yeah, i bought 5 of them back when they were like $15 used several years ago. theyre crazy expensive these days...

[@kamwp7179]

I want to buy a account, any suggestions?

[@RoXolid]

I don't understand your question, what do you mean buy an account?