MLB 09: The Show vs MLB 12: The Show
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
MLB 09: The Show delivers a realistic baseball experience, letting players control individual athletes or entire teams across Major League and select Minor League clubs. Featuring multiple modes, you can play a single game, a full season, or a franchise career. Developed by SCE San Diego Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, the fourth installment in the series offers deep customization, realistic physics, and both single‑player and multiplayer split‑screen action on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PSP.
MLB 12: The Show delivers a highly realistic baseball experience on PlayStation 3, featuring true-to-life gameplay, authentic stadiums, and detailed player models. The game builds on previous releases with refined mechanics and immersive visual fidelity. Players can dive into comprehensive franchise and season modes, manage teams, and compete in both single‑player and multiplayer matches, including split‑screen action, offering endless replay value for baseball enthusiasts.
- Highly realistic baseball mechanics
- Robust franchise and career modes
- Split‑screen multiplayer on console
- Authentic MLB teams and stadiums
- Highly realistic baseball simulation
- Robust franchise and season modes
- Split‑screen local multiplayer
- Authentic stadium visuals
- Limited to PlayStation 2/3 hardware
- No online multiplayer support
- Graphics dated by modern standards
- Limited to PlayStation 3 platform
- No cross‑platform play
- Online matchmaking can be inconsistent
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to MLB 09: The Show
View all →
Next‑gen baseball action with realistic faces, online leagues, and weekly roster updates.
Step up to the plate with pure analog controls and immersive Road to the Show.
Experience authentic baseball action with true-to-life gameplay and deep franchise modes.
Alternatives to MLB 12: The Show
View all →Step up to the plate with pure analog controls and immersive Road to the Show.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataMLB 12 offers newer features like online play and dynamic weather but is limited to PS3, while MLB 09 is older, lacks online, but scores slightly higher and runs on both PS2 and PS3.
Key differences
- •Online multiplayer: MLB 12 includes it (though matchmaking can be inconsistent); MLB 09 has none.
- •Platform hardware: MLB 12 runs only on PS3; MLB 09 runs on both PS2 and PS3.
- •Dynamic weather effects: present in MLB 12; not mentioned for MLB 09.
- •Critic scores: MLB 09 received 81/100, MLB 12 received 79/100.
- •Release year: MLB 12 (2012) is three years newer than MLB 09 (2009).
Gameplay & fun factor
MLB 12 adds dynamic weather and updated physics, enhancing realism over MLB 09.
Platform availability
MLB 09 runs on both PS2 and PS3, offering broader hardware compatibility than MLB 12's PS3‑only limit.
Price & value
Both are priced at $59.99 with one‑time purchase, offering equal monetary cost.
Multiplayer / co‑op
MLB 12 supports online multiplayer and split‑screen; MLB 09 only offers split‑screen.
Content & replayability
MLB 12 includes career mode, franchise mode, and online rankings, providing more long‑term play options.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both have ESRB E rating and similar mode structures; no specific difficulty data provided.
Graphics & performance
MLB 09 is noted as dated by modern standards, but MLB 12's graphics are not detailed; critic scores favor MLB 09.
Choose MLB 09: The Show if…
Buy MLB 09 if you need PS2 compatibility or prefer the slightly higher critic rating.
Choose MLB 12: The Show if…
Buy MLB 12 if you want online play, weather effects, and only have a PS3.
Common questions
Can I play online with friends?
Only MLB 12 includes online multiplayer; MLB 09 does not support online play.
Will the game run on my PlayStation 2?
MLB 09 runs on PS2 and PS3; MLB 12 runs exclusively on PS3.
Which version has better overall reviews?
MLB 09 received a critic score of 81/100, while MLB 12 received 79/100.