MLB 12: The Show

 PlayStation Vita
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 43
  3. Negative: 6 out of 43
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  1. spanky36
    Mar 7, 2012
    10
    Don't let the people with super high graphical expectations fool you, this game is amazing. Graphics ate fantastic, I think some people just forget this is on a handheld system. All the modes are here, unlike the psp versions of the game. Graphics, sounds, and controls are all awesome. Some trophies are gonna be hard, but that's a good thing to me.
  2. RD74
    Mar 6, 2012
    10
    I got this game last Friday, and Im not a huge Baseball fan (im more into my footy(soccer)), but this is a top top title. Its taking me some time to get to grips with the controls (there are a lot, haha), but its a solid challenge and the presentation is 2nd to none! Any fan of the series is in for a treat with this title, awesome!
  3. RSAmbassador
    Mar 6, 2012
    9
    A solid outing for the San Diego boys. The learning curve to the game is a bit off but you can adjust the sliders to make the game play more to your taste. Graphics are great for the system. I couldn't see a 3DS baseball title look anything like this or offer the amount of features the Show does for the PSV. Only reason why this does not get a 10 is some features I enjoyed from it's PS3A solid outing for the San Diego boys. The learning curve to the game is a bit off but you can adjust the sliders to make the game play more to your taste. Graphics are great for the system. I couldn't see a 3DS baseball title look anything like this or offer the amount of features the Show does for the PSV. Only reason why this does not get a 10 is some features I enjoyed from it's PS3 brother are missing i.e. Sounds of the Show. Beyond that the most solid baseball title on a portable console ever.… Expand
  4. X3NEIZE
    Mar 9, 2012
    10
    A must buy, it is the system buying game for sure, it's a smaller replica than the PS3 counterpart, porting the same experience and gameplay minus the time consuming presentation screens, pefect baseball on-the-go game with cross platform support... Home? play it on the PS3, save it to the cloud and continue your season/franchise while travelig! awesome game indeed
  5. LacrosseD
    Mar 6, 2012
    6
    Wanted to issue a warning to folks on this one. Overall, I am enjoying the game and I am new to the series so I am forging up the learning curve. I am very disappointed in the graphics, very. I expected more. I am interested to hear how the community responds to this title. It's feature rich and you can set the controls in many variations to suit you play preference and skill. Not aWanted to issue a warning to folks on this one. Overall, I am enjoying the game and I am new to the series so I am forging up the learning curve. I am very disappointed in the graphics, very. I expected more. I am interested to hear how the community responds to this title. It's feature rich and you can set the controls in many variations to suit you play preference and skill. Not a deal killer but would advise to wait for a price drop to purchase.… Expand
  6. Arod15th
    Mar 7, 2012
    7
    This is as honest as it gets. There are two series you must consider when you compare MLB 12 for the Vita, PS3 and PSP. When you compare it to the PSP this game is hands down superior. All MLB double and triple A squads are on a handheld finally (I stop playing MLB 10 for PSP so I don't know if 11 included minor league teams). Graphics look really good (not amazing though), every mode isThis is as honest as it gets. There are two series you must consider when you compare MLB 12 for the Vita, PS3 and PSP. When you compare it to the PSP this game is hands down superior. All MLB double and triple A squads are on a handheld finally (I stop playing MLB 10 for PSP so I don't know if 11 included minor league teams). Graphics look really good (not amazing though), every mode is present, the baseball gameplay feels really solid, umpires are on the field, the crowd looks decent. Then you compare this game to the PS3 and you realize it still needs a year of refinement. The speed play is understandable for a portable but should be an option that can be toggled on and off, not as the only mode. Its is hard to belt a grand-slam and not even have a replay nor a visual of your player rounding the bases (Come on the PSP had this). I personally don't mind if the presentation makes the game last longer, I want to see all the little details. When the ball is put in play, it looks like a cheap visual off pong. No walkups at first did not bother me but after a while I realized all the little details make this game so much better. There is minimal lag, but you will surely see it. Other then that this game looks and plays really well. I am giving this a 7 because after 6 years on the PSP, the game suddenly took a "faster play" approach. This was clearly an excuse by the developer to fit as much as it could into a portable and in the end hurt the final product.… Expand
  7. skywalkr2
    Mar 16, 2012
    8
    The game is a must have for a Vita owner who loves baseball. Are all PS3 modes here, no. Are the graphics the same as the PS3, no. Are there things removed from the "broadcast", yes. However IMO and in the opinion of most gamers these were all great decisions. The game is fun, its fast, and the graphics are extremely good for a handheld game. Are there things that can improve...The game is a must have for a Vita owner who loves baseball. Are all PS3 modes here, no. Are the graphics the same as the PS3, no. Are there things removed from the "broadcast", yes. However IMO and in the opinion of most gamers these were all great decisions. The game is fun, its fast, and the graphics are extremely good for a handheld game. Are there things that can improve... yes... but for this first year I am very happy.… Expand
  8. JakeIsHollywood
    May 1, 2012
    10
    The best baseball game ever made. Everything about it is fantastic! My only real gripe is lack of intro music editing...like on the PS3 version. There are a few features missing, but nothing game-breaking. It really IS a perfect title. A couple of people are complaining about the graphics, but I'm not sure why... The graphics are fantastic!
  9. Shane12m
    Apr 15, 2012
    10
    When a handheld version of a highly established console game is released, it is common for players to expect the exact same experience, but on the go. While the Vita version of MLB:12 The Show comes close to achieving this, there is still a significant difference between the two.

    GAMEPLAY: The gameplay really shines in this game. While some small features are missing from the console    When a handheld version of a highly established console game is released, it is common for players to expect the exact same experience, but on the go. While the Vita version of MLB:12 The Show comes close to achieving this, there is still a significant difference between the two.

    GAMEPLAY:

    The gameplay really shines in this game. While some small features are missing from the console version, all of the gameplay features are identical. New to the series is pulse pitching and the Vita version makes sure to include this as well. Pulse pitching involves a pulsating circle that requires perfect timing in order to successfully pitch the ball where you want it. The pulse pitching was extremely frustrating, and being someone who is good with timing, I could almost never get the timing down. Thankfully, this feature is optional and the other pitching control methods from the previous PS3 are all here.

    Added onto the Vita version are touch controls. When pitching you are given the option of touching the screen to choose your pitch and touching where you want to place your pitch. I found the touch controls to be almost necessary as the analog controls for selecting your pitch location was way too finicky and was not near as precise. I found myself using the buttons to select my pitch and had to move my fingers around to touch the screen from my pitch location and then return to the button controls to execute my pitch. While at first this felt a little awkward and unneccary I found that with so many different ways to control how you pitch, itâ    … Expand
  10. Rezevilfan
    Mar 21, 2012
    8
    This game is so incredible. I am a huge fan of "The Show" franchise, but everyone plays 360, so I never really felt the need to get it. The graphics are just okay, but everything else is fun on a bun. The sound is incredible. The road to the show is great. I can't believe they packed so much of the full game into the Vita one. There is one thing that keeps this from being a 10... The loadThis game is so incredible. I am a huge fan of "The Show" franchise, but everyone plays 360, so I never really felt the need to get it. The graphics are just okay, but everything else is fun on a bun. The sound is incredible. The road to the show is great. I can't believe they packed so much of the full game into the Vita one. There is one thing that keeps this from being a 10... The load times. Oh my god. This game takes so incredibly long to load that you may start not enjoying it as much. They need to update it to fix this, and it will easily be the best game besides for AotMB.… Expand
  11. The-A-Rater
    Mar 25, 2012
    9
    BASEBALL AT AN ALL NEW LEVEL. I love love love this game, and as a huge baseball fan, this doesn't upset me. I don't have a ps3 but i know that version is supposed to have a few more things. But this game has Road to the show (RTTS) Franchise Mode, Quick Game Mode, And Season Mode. Online isn't real good and that's why i gave it a nine. Just get the game and give it a try.
  12. Wilsonasaraus
    Mar 31, 2012
    9
    This is my first baseball game, so this is coming from someone who doesn't really follow the games or the sport. The graphics aren't really terrible, but they aren't fantastic. There is an obvious gap between what this game looks like, and maybe say, Uncharted: Golden Abyss. I had few issues with the frame rate, and haven't had any other graphical problems. The gameplay is, for the mostThis is my first baseball game, so this is coming from someone who doesn't really follow the games or the sport. The graphics aren't really terrible, but they aren't fantastic. There is an obvious gap between what this game looks like, and maybe say, Uncharted: Golden Abyss. I had few issues with the frame rate, and haven't had any other graphical problems. The gameplay is, for the most part, very solid. With multiple ways to bat and pitch, you should find no problem getting the controls down. On its easiest setting, the game is as you would expect, easy. But put the difficulty up all the way, and you got yourself a challenging game.I can't really make a judgment about the teams or rosters because I only know the players from a few teams (Detroit Tigers!). There are many modes of play here. Ranging from basic exhibition to creating a player and rising through the ranks, or choosing teams and managing them without having to actually play in a single game. Overall, this game has a few minor problems but not any the absolutely hinder gameplay. If you have $40 and are looking for a good Vita game, this will not disappoint.… Expand
  13. Mattyice
    Apr 22, 2012
    9
    Good start for baseball on the Vita. Great graphics, good gameplay, and a nice controls. The only bad part is occasional lagging. Great game, and a must buy for baseball fans.
  14. sambadude
    May 6, 2012
    9
    Being British, we don't get a baseball game so we have to import MLB games from the US. This was the first MLB game I've ever played and I completely agree with the people that say it's the best sports game around. OK, the graphics aren't the best, but they're very very good for a handheld game, I've had the game for 3 weeks now, completed 1 year on Road to the show (Which is brilliantBeing British, we don't get a baseball game so we have to import MLB games from the US. This was the first MLB game I've ever played and I completely agree with the people that say it's the best sports game around. OK, the graphics aren't the best, but they're very very good for a handheld game, I've had the game for 3 weeks now, completed 1 year on Road to the show (Which is brilliant btw), and tried Franchise mode, which I'll admit I struggle on, even on the easiest difficulty, but I love it, I don't get annoyed at it. It's a great game, although if someone is about to buy a Vita, I would only recommend it if you like Baseball or you just love sports games in general.… Expand
  15. brasky68
    Jun 13, 2012
    9
    Excellent game of baseball for the PS Vita. As a huge fan of the sport, and an XBOX 360 owner, one of the main reasons I bought the PS Vita was so I could play the Show. MLB 2k was just not cutting it for me and after hearing all the hype surrounding the Show, I had to try it myself, and i must admit it did not disappoint. Graphically this game is very good, character models look greatExcellent game of baseball for the PS Vita. As a huge fan of the sport, and an XBOX 360 owner, one of the main reasons I bought the PS Vita was so I could play the Show. MLB 2k was just not cutting it for me and after hearing all the hype surrounding the Show, I had to try it myself, and i must admit it did not disappoint. Graphically this game is very good, character models look great apart from their faces and the ballparks are very realistic. Game controls are extremely smooth and fielding animations are seamless. Batting is difficult yet rewarding and pitching with the pulse meter is a very innovative and challenging way to approach video game pitching. The only gripe I have is random frame rate drops when using the bullpen menu as well as random moments during pitching. Overall this is a great game of baseball that blows the MLB 2k series for my XBOX out of the water.… Expand
  16. StinkMitts
    Jun 21, 2012
    9
    This is my favourite game on the Vita so far. I have logged more hours on this game than i have on diablo 3... Everything about the port is amazing. The controls and gameplay are great an feel just as good as the console version, which i also own. The graphics are also great, anyone who says the graphics are bad is wayyyyyyy to focused on the detail of the faces in the crowd instead ofThis is my favourite game on the Vita so far. I have logged more hours on this game than i have on diablo 3... Everything about the port is amazing. The controls and gameplay are great an feel just as good as the console version, which i also own. The graphics are also great, anyone who says the graphics are bad is wayyyyyyy to focused on the detail of the faces in the crowd instead of paying attention to the delicate pinstripes that adorn my teams away uniform. Field looks beautiful, animations and gameplay are glitch free and smooth as butter. The only time i noticed a frame drop was when i was playing "Road to the Show" mode as a pitcher and the bases were loaded. The frame drop, even in this circumstance, was negligible and by no means affected my overall impression of the game. There are TONS of control variations, and sliders to make the game fit your skill level. The road to the show mode is deep and addictive and you will start to really rot for your player the closer you get to the mlb. I havent played any other mode since i got the game, save for a few trips to the homerun derby and a quick exhibition game to get a feel for it. This game has a GREAT campaign that will keep you playing for weeks!
    If you like sports games, buy this one, no question.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best PS Vita Game of 2012
35
#35 Most Discussed PS Vita Game of 2012
38
#38 Most Shared PS Vita Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Pocket Gamer UK
    Aug 3, 2012
    80
    Baseball fans should retrieve their wallets immediately. You won't find a more immersive baseball game outside the ballpark.
    Read full review
  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    May 26, 2012
    80
    The format's best sports game. [June 2012, p.105]
  3. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    May 7, 2012
    80
    This portable rookie has some flaws, but there's all-star potential come next season. [June 2012, p.78]
See all critic reviews »