MLB The Show 21 Available To Play Now Through Early Access

MLB The Show 21 is one of the most exciting sports video game releases in recent memory. Not only is it the latest installment of the long-running MLB The Show franchise, but it also marks the series' next-gen debut as well as the first time that it has ever been available on Xbox consoles. It's safe to say that many sports video game fans are looking forward to MLB The Show 21, and while its official release date isn't until April 20, there's a way for players across all platforms to play early.

Baseball fans that want to play MLB The Show 21 early will have to shell out some extra cash to do so. Early access is available to anyone that purchase MLB The Show 21's Jackie Robinson Edition or the Deluxe Edition of the game. The MLB The Show 21 Jackie Robison Edition costs $84.99 and besides early access includes a copy of the game, 1 Diamond Choice Pack, a Jackie Robinson bat skin, 1 Ballplayer Equipment Pack, 10k Stubs, 10 The Show packs, and 3 Gold Choice packs. Meanwhile, the $99.99 Deluxe Edition includes all of that except 2 Diamond Choice Packs, 25k Stubs, and 6 Gold Choice packs.

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It's become a common trend in sports games to give players early access for buying the more expensive versions in recent years, but Xbox gamers especially might just want to hold off until MLB The Show 21's proper release date rolls around. After all, MLB The Show 21 will be available on Xbox Game Pass the day of its release, and so Game Pass subscribers can access the game at no extra change.

It will be interesting to see how MLB The Show 21's Xbox Game Pass availability impacts its sales. Generally speaking, Xbox Game Pass doesn't seem to have a negative impact on game sales, and with MLB The Show 21 available on more platforms than ever before, one would think it stands a good chance of being the best-selling game in the series, regardless of Game Pass.

MLB The Show 21 launches on April 20 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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