Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Xbox

PlayStation

Nintendo

Screenwise Verdict

MLB The Show 24 is that rare modern sports game that doesn't try to pick your pocket every five minutes. No loot boxes, no card pack gambling, no battle passes—just baseball simulation for people who actually want to play baseball.

The good: It teaches real strategy, statistics thinking, and perseverance. The career mode journey from nobody to legend is genuinely motivating. For baseball-loving kids, this is quality screen time that builds actual skills.

The reality check: This is for baseball fans, period. If your kid doesn't already like the sport, this won't convert them—they'll find it slow and repetitive. And even for fans, it's still just... playing baseball games repeatedly. The enrichment ceiling is real.

Online play introduces the usual competitive toxicity concerns, but at least you're not dealing with kids begging for $20 card packs. In the landscape of sports games, that alone makes this a standout recommendation for the right kid.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-16 who already like baseball or want to learn the sport deeply. Younger kids will struggle with controls and strategy; older teens may prefer more action-packed games unless they're serious baseball fans.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

Baseball simulation that models sportsmanship, teamwork, and the journey from minor leagues to the majors. The game emphasizes earning success through skill development and perseverance. Sports games inherently promote healthy competition and cooperation, though online play can introduce competitive toxicity typical of multiplayer gaming.

Imaginative

58

As a sports simulator, it prioritizes realistic baseball mechanics over creative expression. Players can build custom characters in career mode and make strategic decisions, but the rigid structure of baseball rules limits open-ended creativity. The 'learn about legends' feature adds historical exploration, but overall this is about executing plays, not inventing new worlds.

Safe

75

No content rating provided, but MLB games historically receive E (Everyone) ratings with minimal concerning content. Users interact online which introduces some risk, but no in-game purchases, loot boxes, or gacha mechanics listed—a major positive for a modern sports game. The absence of these predatory monetization tactics is notable and commendable. Online interactions in competitive sports games can get heated, but the sport itself is violence-free.

Enriching

68

Teaches baseball strategy, statistics literacy, patience, and decision-making under pressure. The career mode journey from minors to majors models goal-setting and persistence. Learning about baseball legends provides historical context. However, it's ultimately repetitive gameplay—you're playing baseball games over and over. The strategic depth is real but narrow in scope compared to more varied enrichment opportunities.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches genuine baseball strategy, statistics, and decision-making under pressure—actual thinking skills wrapped in entertainment
Career mode models the long journey of skill development and perseverance, not instant gratification
Refreshingly free of loot boxes and gacha mechanics that turn other sports games into gambling simulators
Introduces baseball history and legends, giving context beyond just button-mashing
Cross-platform availability means kids can play on whatever console you already own

⚠

What to Watch For

Online competitive play can get heated—mute options and monitoring recommended for younger players
Extremely niche appeal: if your kid isn't into baseball, this will bore them to tears in about 20 minutes
Repetitive gameplay loop—it's baseball games over and over, which is either meditative or mind-numbing depending on your kid
The learning curve is real; younger kids may struggle with the nuanced controls and strategy

Conversation Starters

"Who's your favorite player on your team? What makes them good at their position?"
"What's your strategy when you're down by two runs in the ninth inning?"
"Which baseball legend did you learn about? What made them special?"
"How do you decide when to swing versus when to wait for a better pitch?"
"Is it more fun to play as your favorite real team or build your own player from scratch?"

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