‘MLB The Show 21’ release date: Sony confirms first-ever Xbox launch and cross-platform play

This year’s iteration of the “MLB The Show” baseball video game will be important for the franchise. “MLB The Show 21” is confirmed to be the first in the series to launch on a non-PlayStation gaming platform.

‘MLB The Show 21’ release date and compatibility

The “MLB The Show” franchise has been developed and published by Sony-owned studios and companies. It is then not surprising that all its installments were only launched on PlayStation consoles since the series started in 1997 with the game “MLB ’98.” That is changing with the arrival of “MLB The Show 21” this year that may exceed fans’ expectations.

Talks about the launch of “MLB The Show 21” began over the weekend when supposed promo images for the upcoming game was leaked. It indicated that the game would have a special edition featuring Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Robinson played for the team through 1956.

The leaked posted immediately started widespread online discussions for another information on the print – a launch on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Games exclusivity has been one of Sony’s staple strategies in giving its consoles an edge over Microsoft’s Xbox systems, so the surprise is understandable.

In Sony’s official announcement of “MLB The Show 21” on Twitter Monday, the company noted that “the game has changed” and then confirmed that title’s availability on Xbox platforms, along with PS4 and PS5. The game will be released on April 20 with San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando “El Niño” Tatis Jr. on the cover.

‘MLB The Show 21’ supports cross-platform play between Xbox, PS consoles

Sony also confirmed that “MLB The Show 21” will support cross-platform play. It simply means players using Xbox and PS consoles can now play together.

It is yet another noteworthy change because, for many years, Sony was not too on allowing crossplay on its PS consoles. It became a hot topic in 2018 when Sony did not join Microsoft and Nintendo in allowing “Fortnite” players to join matches with gamers using other consoles. “On cross-platform, our way of thinking is always that PlayStation is the best place to play,” Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said at the time. “‘Fortnite,’ I believe, partnered with PlayStation 4 is the best experience for users.” However, Sony’s crossplay stance for the battle royale title changed after a few months.