The Best PlayStation, Xbox Controllers for MLB The Show
Consider this the ultimate PlayStation and Xbox controller guide to get you locked in for another year of MLB The Show.
If you're looking to up your game for MLB The Show 25, The Show Gazette has you covered with the best gear and accessories. We only recommend things we use ourselves, so rest assured that this stuff is tried and true.
When it comes to controllers, there is really only one ideal option for PlayStation. On Xbox, you have options at several price points.
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CONTROLLERS
First things first — and this is more of a general tip than a gear-related one — NEVER play with your controller wirelessly. Always stay plugged in for optimal input. Input lag is real if you're wireless.
Now that that's out of the way, let's get the big elephant out of the room. This first controller is expensive. Like, very. And it might not be for everyone. But I've found the DualSense Edge for PlayStation 5 to be the ideal piece of equipment for MLB The Show. It has custom sensitivity settings for each analog stick (suggestions here), custom button mapping, easy to navigate profiles and more. Plus, it comes with replacement analog sticks.
But ... it's $200. Again, it's not for everyone. But if you struggle with slamming, this for sure can help.
- PlayStation DualSense Edge Controller: PlayStation ($199.99 on Amazon)
If you're an XBox player, there are options for you. And I highly recommend you stop using the standard XBox controller that comes with your console. With the way the analog works, pinpoint pitching is next to impossible.
First, there's the PowerA Advantage Wired Controller, which features two customizable rear buttons and three-way trigger lockouts. This is the budget option. Don't interpret that to mean cheap. It's just the more affordable choice.
Next is the GameSir G7 wired controller, which also comes with two customizable rear buttons and draft-free sticks. That's a nice touch, and only a couple dollars more than the PowerA.
Lastly, and this one is growing in popularity in the MLB The Show community, is the Thrustmaster eSwap X PRO — which is just about as expensive as the DualSense Edge. This is FULLY customizable, giving you the ability to swap the directional pad with the left analog stick, and the sticks claim to have a longer lifespan.
Kenny aka kdjTV founded The Show Gazette in January 2025. He is an MLB The Show content creator, YouTube partner and San Diego Studios partner.