The Best Baseball Video Games
Major League Baseball is considered one of the most successful sports leagues in the world. Each team plays a total of 162 regular season games as well as playoffs culminating with the World Series. This gives bettors an arsenal of betting opportunities in the sports betting world and provides loads of action-packed entertainment by simply watching the game.
The MLB season usually starts in March and ends in October each year, and for those diehard fans that can't wait for the next season to begin can simply take to the diamond themselves in the form of video games. Baseball video games have been around for decades and continue to improve with new styles and features every year. Therefore, we decided to rank the best MLB video games of all-time, including the latest baseball games of 2018.
RBI Baseball (NES)
RBI Baseball was one of the original baseball video games that were developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It might not have featured the best animations and graphics but was licensed by the MLB Players Association which is something every fan dreamed of back then. Although there were only 8 teams available, the game still allowed you to play with your favourite professional baseball players for 8 innings. Furthermore, the players performed much like they did in real life and even though it won't hold up against today's standards, it was revolutionary and considered one of the best baseball games in its time.
Ken Griffey Jr: Major League Baseball
Ken Griffey Jr: Major League Baseball is often referred to as one of the most iconic baseball games to ever be produced on the SNES console. It might not have been the most striking video game, but it was certainly the most rounded. It played great, looked good, and even offered a home run derby mode. Although it didn't have an MLBPA license, the players were still rated according to real-world players and you had the option to change the names of players in the game. Characters were exaggerated, pitching and batting capabilities were equally matched, and fielding was responsive and snappy.
MVP Baseball 2005
Die-hard baseball fans easily rate MVP Baseball 2005 as the crowning achievement when it comes to baseball video games. The game offered Fantasy drafts, Dynasty mode, and Franchise mode along with remarkable graphics, animations, presentation, and intuitive on-field play. The game's soundtrack still resonates with those that enjoyed the game. Many weekdays and weekends were lost to this game and for a very good reason. EA Sports even allowed players to modify the PC version of the game and the community is still strong to this day. There's no denying that MLB: The Show owes all of its success to MVP Baseball 2005.
MLB 18: The Show
MLB: The Show 18 is the latest addition from Sony and is quickly becoming one of the best MLB video games ever created for Playstation. The MLB Show series stretches back to 2006 and continues to expand with new features each year. The 2018 release features a Road to the Show RPG-like story mode that allows you to control your career in various ways that weren't possible before, and the return of the Retro mode to enjoy baseball stars from the 90's. There's also an 8-bit pause menu, while your statistics are displayed on the screen just like in the older games. The graphics and animation quality is phenomenal along with truly realistic gameplay functionality that makes MLB: The Show 18 the best option for those looking for a well-rounded baseball video game.
RBI Baseball 2018
R.B.I Baseball is the only MLB licensed video game available on Xbox One since the 2K series of baseball games folded. The game is created in-house by MLB and comes with updated animations and visuals when compared to the 2017 version. The game was originally played on Nintendo Entertainment Systems in 1988 before it closed its doors in 1995. The game made a spectacular return in 2014 on all available consoles and was licensed by the MLB. The game boasts with real players, teams, and stadiums while the gameplay kept its roots from NES. The overall gameplay is aimed towards arcade fans as opposed to simulation, giving players the ability to enjoy some high scoring innings with controls that are easy to master.
Out of the Park Baseball 19
Out of the Park Baseball, or OOTP Baseball, will allow players to take full control over a baseball franchise and take on the role of GM or Manager, regardless of the year. Players won't play any of the games but will instead make various decisions when it comes to attendance, staff, and players. If you are more interested in the simulation side of things as opposed to arcade-style games, OOTP Baseball 19 will certainly be the best MLB video game on PC. It's a fully MLB licensed game that provides real players and teams. You'll still be able to control certain aspects of the game, including who takes a swing, who pitches, who you'll be pitching to, and more.
Super Mega Baseball 2
Super Mega Baseball is one of the best arcade-style baseball video games around but is unfortunately not licensed by the MLB. Although it might be the biggest drawback to this game, it still offers loads of customisation of leagues and players. You can customise everything from player appearances, uniforms, and logos to exactly how you want them to be. Super Mega Baseball 2 even features an Ego difficulty setting designed to keep the AI on par with how you play to ensure you don't get destroyed in each game or simply crush the competition. This version also comes equipped with online multiplier mode to compete against other online players and supports cross-play between Xbox One, PS4, and PC.