Screenshots & trailers
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 83 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 80 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 69 | 80 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 72 | 106 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (38)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 90
“MLB The Show 20 presents itself as a great package, improving on most of its gameplay mechanics, including batting and fielding experience. With plenty of game modes, great Diamond Dynasty and online experience, and plenty of new animations it is a significant upgrade of the last year’s The Show 19, and proving itself worthy of purchase, by avoiding to follow the example of copycat sports franchises like FIFA and NBA 2K.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 20 is the definitive version of Sony San Diego’s baseball simulation on the PS4, but long-time fans may feel that this franchise is just starting to show signs of fatigue. The gameplay refinements are welcome, and this is the biggest instalment thus far, but the shift to next-gen will be welcome as the developer seeks to revolutionise the best sports game on the market by far.”
read full review ↗ - 89
“MLB The Show 20 might not be a giant leap forward, but it's more than enough of a leap for fans to enjoy a game they're missing right now.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 20 doesn't make any large strides forward, choosing instead to focus on refining areas that needed improvement from last year. This results in a game that feels more balanced in terms of variety across an assortment of game modes, while the action on the diamond has been tightened up with rewarding consistency and added dynamism that maintains the series' lofty standards. It's the ideal foundation to build upon as the PlayStation 5 looms on the horizon, and with the baseball season suspended for the foreseeable future, MLB 20 goes some way to filling an empty space in our pursuit for escapism.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“As the future season of baseball remains in doubt, there is truly no better time for MLB The Show 20. A host of subtle refinements on the field rewards skillful play, while the new Showdown mode is both high-stakes and easy to jump into. The ability to buy stubs outright is annoying, but the streamlined progression rewards are another step in the right direction. Whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer, MLB The Show 20 is a comforting doorway into Major League Baseball.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 20 doesn't rewrite the script, but its numerous tweaks to gameplay, modes, and options makes it the best baseball game around.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“MLB The Show 20 is back with new modes and some substantial tweaks to create a stellar baseball experience that's sure to help pass the time until America's pastime returns in full force. ”
read full review ↗ - 85
“What The Show 20 does best is deliver a rich, authentic baseball sim that players can engage with in a host of ways. The customization options for the main modes and the sheer variety of secondary modes and experiences ensures there’s something for every kind of baseball fan.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“MLB The Show 20 is another home run thanks to its refined gameplay and many modes.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 20 is a good follow-up to MLB The Show 19. Maybe it doesn't offer a great number of new features, but it does its job of being a good update on an annual series. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 20 isn't the biggest upgrade the series has ever seen but it's a solid one with a few good highlights and no real downsides.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Sony San Diego's MLB The Show 20 adds some long-overdue updates but fails to make greater gains to a baseball series that's beginning to feel stale.”
read full review ↗
PLAY Zine
Push Square
Worth Playing
GameSpot
Easy Allies
GameSkinny
We Got This Covered
Washington Post
Digital Trends
Atomix
IGN
Screen Rant…and 26 more tracked reviews.