If you’re a baseball fan who also plays games, you’ve undoubtedly heard ofMLB The Show. It’s the gold standard for baseball sims, and while it has recently branched out from being a PlayStation exclusive—now available on Xbox and Nintendo Switch—there’s still one major platform missing: PC.
That leaves a noticeable gap in the market for baseball-loving PC gamers. Fortunately, there are still some viable options out there. If you’re looking to fill the void, here are several baseball games you can actually play on PC.
1Backyard Baseball
TheBackyard Sportsseries—Backyard Baseballin particular—is an absolute classic that still holds a special place in a lot of our hearts. You play baseball with a bunch of neighborhood kids (including the legendary Pablo Sanchez), and sometimes even kid versions of MLB greats like Derek Jeter, Randy Johnson, and Barry Bonds. The mechanics are surprisingly solid and still hold up today.
If you didn’t already know, theBackyard Sportsgames are being remastered for modern platforms like Steam. you’re able to play theoriginalBackyard Baseballright now and relive the glory days—or see what all the fuss is about if it’s your first time. A remaster ofBackyard Baseball 2001is also on the way. That one is fully licensed, so it features real MLB teams and players.
2Super Mega Baseball
When it comes to pure gameplay, it’s hard to argue against theSuper Mega Baseballseries as one of the best. Despite its cartoonish visuals and sense of humor, the actual baseball mechanics are shockingly in-depth and grounded in realism. There are no over-the-top power-ups or arcade gimmicks; you’re getting authentic baseball fundamentals in a more approachable format.
The lack of official MLB licensing is a bit of a letdown, butSuper Mega Baseball 4still lets you play as Hall of Famers like David Ortiz, Vladimir Guerrero, and Babe Ruth. Even without full access to real players, it’s still a blast to smash home runs as Rip Dingers and Hammer Longballo or strike out batters as Chuck Filthwick or Rhiannon Cannon.
3Out of the Park Baseball
Out of the Park Baseballis essentially the baseball equivalent ofFootball Manager. You don’t control the players directly. Instead, you take on the role of a general manager or team manager. You’ll scout talent, draft rookies, negotiate with free agents, make trades, and guide your franchise to its next dynasty. If you want to get more hands-on, you may set the game-day lineups and call the shots from the dugout.
If you’re a numbers-driven baseball fan, there may be no better experience out there.Out of the Park Baseballis more of amanagement simulationthan a traditional sports game, so if you’re looking to man the mound or step up to the plate yourself, this isn’t the game for you. But with full licenses for MLB, the complete minor league system, Korea’s KBO, and leagues in the UK and the Netherlands, it’s perhaps the most comprehensive and immersive baseball game available—and you can play it on PC.
4MLB Rivals
MLB Rivalsis a free-to-play, officially licensed baseball game that receives yearly updates to reflect each season’s schedule and rosters. If you’re craving something that feels likeMLB The Showon PC, this is probably the closest alternative available right now.
That said, whileMLB Rivalsis free to download, it leans heavily onmicrotransactions. You don’t have to spend money to enjoy the game casually, but if you’re hoping to stay competitive in online modes,players who open their wallets will definitely have an advantage. ThinkUltimate TeaminMaddenorEA Sports FC.
5Yerr Out
Another freebie,Yerr Outtakes the crown for the wackiest title on this list. It’s standard baseball at its core—except you’re playing as animals instead of people. You can choose from over 100 different animals to fill your roster, each with unique attributes that affect gameplay. A rabbit can fly around the bases and cover a ton of ground in the outfield, but if you stick it behind the plate and an elephant is barreling toward home, don’t expect to secure the out.
Yerr Outis an absurd concept, but it’s still technically baseball. It may look ridiculous, but it just might scratch that itch for PC players who don’t have easy access toMLB The Show.
6TOTALLY BASEBALL
There have been many attempts at VR baseball games—including the officially licensedMLB Home Run Derby VR—butTOTALLY BASEBALLprobably does it best. Unlike other titles, it lets you play every part of the game: you can pitch, bat, and field, all from a first-person perspective. It also offers multiple game modes and even includes multiplayer.
You might already have a sense of what swinging a bat in VR feels like thanks to games likeWii Sports, but it’s hard to describe just how satisfying it is to turn a double play or make a running catch in the outfield. It’s the kind of physical immersion even the most realistic baseball sims can’t replicate. And for those of us in colder climates where baseball isn’t a year-round option,TOTALLY BASEBALLis a great way to get some reps in without leaving the house.
MLB The Showhas a stranglehold on the baseball sim genre;there just aren’t many serious competitors. But since it remains console-only, PC baseball fanatics are left in a tough spot. If that sounds like you, give some of the games on this list a try. Hopefully, they hold you over untilThe Showmakes its way to PC… if it ever does.
