Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Still the best baseball game around, with many modes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
MLB 13 The Show
What's It About?
As with the many previous MLB The Show video games before it, Sony Computer Entertainment America's MLB 13 THE SHOW is a baseball simulation built to capture the look, sound, and feel of Major League Baseball. You can play as or against your favorite teams and players, in authentically recreated stadiums, against the computer-controlled opponents or friends beside you in front of the same TV, or online (multiplayer is available in the PlayStation 3 version only). The game offers many different modes, including Dynasty, Franchise, and Road to the Show, the latter of which lets you create a unique player and advance through the minors to majors. All new to this years' game is a Playoff mode that focuses on the fall's final games and World Series, with extra atmosphere and tension. Also new is a beginner mode for novice players, new color commentary tracks, and the ability to save files between the PlayStation 3 and the PSVita versions (if you own both).
Is It Any Good?
Yes, this is the baseball game to get. MLB 13 The Show builds upon its predecessors to create a MLB experience that not only looks great -- especially with the new broadcast-like cameras, support for 3DTVs, and improved player models and animations -- but they've tweaked existing modes and added a couple of all-new ones, as well. The new post-season option (Playoff mode) is ideal for fans who want to jump right into the intensity of October baseball, though the new commentary doesn't always match up what's happening on the field (nor does it always capture the excitement compared to previous games). There are also a couple of artificial intelligence (A.I.) niggles for computer-controlled players but overall MLB 13 The Show gets it mostly right for its depth and breadth.
Note: The PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita versions are very similar but there are few modes missing in the PS Vita version (including multiplayer), plus the PS3 offers 3D and PlayStation Move controller support as well.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can discuss playing a virtual sports game on a television versus playing the real game on a baseball diamond. Is this game a substitute or merely an entertaining addendum for when you can't play outside? How can you best bridge the gap between real and simulated play?
Do you prefer games where you are active? What benefits does active gaming have?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , PlayStation Vita
- Subjects : Hobbies : sports , Science : momentum , physics
- Skills : Health & Fitness : exercise , gross motor skills , movement , Collaboration : meeting challenges together , teamwork
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release date : March 5, 2013
- Genre : Sports
- Topics : History
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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