The Confusing MLB The Show 21 Prices Explained
MLB The Show 21, the sixteenth entry in the MLB: The Show franchise, is poised to shake things up when it releases on April 20, 2021. The new Stadium Creator feature will allow players to build their own parks using 1,000+ distinct pieces and a variety of themed kits. Once you've completed your design, you can share it with the online community or check out and personalize the parks uploaded by other players.
While the system ups the personalization and social aspects of MLB The Show 21, there's a rather glaring catch: the Stadium Creator only comes with next-gen versions of the game. If you've yet to get your hands on the elusive Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5 due to the continued supply shortages, it seems you're out of luck.
The absence or inclusion of the Stadium Creator is not the only discrepancy buyers will have to deal with come launch day. Depending on your edition and console of choice, the amount of money you have to shell out to snag MLB The Show 21 varies wildly. Here's what you need to know to make the best decision for your wallet.
MLB The Show 21 Standard Editions come to Xbox Game Pass on day one
Microsoft announced on April 2 that Xbox Game Pass members will have access to MLB The Show 21 at launch. The basic subscription includes the Standard Editions of MLB The Show 21 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and Ultimate comes with additional support for Android phones and tablets through Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta).
So, what does this mean for your budget? The Standard Edition of MLB The Show 21 normally costs $59.99 for Xbox One and $69.99 for Xbox Series X|S. In contrast, an Xbox Game Pass for Console subscription costs $9.99 a month and includes access to MLB The Show 21 and a library of over 100 Xbox titles.
Coming in at $14.99 per month, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers an even better deal for those looking to take advantage of MLB The Show 21's online multiplayer. This online component requires an Xbox Live Gold subscription, which renews at $9.99 each month. Microsoft bundles Xbox Live Gold with Game Pass Ultimate; thus, for an additional $5 per month, you'll be able to play MLB The Show 21 and its online multiplayer at release, plus take advantage of the free monthly Games with Gold and Ultimate's extensive catalogue, discounts, and other promotions.
MLB The Show 21 special editions and other platforms
In addition to the standard versions of the game, publishers Sony and Major League Baseball are offering three special editions of MLB The Show 21: The Jackie Robinson Edition, the Jackie Robinson Deluxe Edition, and the Digital Deluxe Edition.
Priced at $84.99, the Jackie Robinson Edition features the titular Robinson on the cover and can be purchased in physical or digital format. The bundle comes with four days of early access, a Jackie Robinson Bat Skin, one Diamond Choice Pack, two Gold Choice Packs, 10 The Show Packs, one Ballplayer Equipment Pack, Double Dailies, 10,000 Stubs and a Physical Steelbook.
The Jackie Robinson Deluxe Edition costs $99.99 and comes with all the perks included in the Jackie Robinson Edition, plus 25,000 Stubs (instead of 10,000), a New Era Cap, a Digital New Era Hat (DD), and immediate access to the Jackie Robinson Bat Skin. PlayStation will also donate $1 to the Jackie Robinson Foundation for each Collector's Edition sold in the U.S. through Dec. 31, 2021. This appears to include the standard Jackie Robinson Edition and Jackie Robinson Deluxe Edition.
Finally, for $99.99, you can pick up the Digital Deluxe Edition. This digital-only option also features the alternate Jackie Robinson cover, four days of early access, "dual entitlement" for current or next-gen systems, the Jackie Robinson Bat Skin, two Diamond Choice Packs, five Gold Choice Packs, 10 The Show Packs, one Ballplayer Equipment Pack, Double Dailies and 25,000 Stubs.
MLB The Show 21 comes to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on April 20. Similar to the Xbox pricing model, PS4 players will have to pay $59.99 for the PS4 version or $69.99 for the PS5 option. As of April 2, Sony had not shared any plans to include MLB The Show 21 as part of its PS Now or PlayStation Plus programs, making Xbox Game Pass Ultimate the most affordable option for full game functionality.