Looking to buy a last minute Christmas gift, either for yourself or someone else? Here are a few reasons to revisit one of the year’s best sports games, MLB 14: The Show.

1.Cloud saves/ save transfers: This is an innovation that I predict will become a standard for sports games, but for now, it’s pretty much exclusive to The Show. Being able to transfer your files to the next iteration of the game makes any time you spend more valuable. You don’t need to feel rushed to finish a season, because you can just pick it up again this spring. This ability to savor the games leads to Reason #2…

2.The beauty is in the details: The Show, like baseball itself, gets better the longer you play. Both are games that require thought and patience to really catch all of the subtle nuances. Yes, the commentary may get old, but there’s not nearly as much visual repetition. Check out one of the “Little Things” threads to see multiple example of why The Show looks great.

3.Multiple Modes: If you had The Show and then traded it in, I’m guessing you haven’t fully invested in all of the available modes, especially the main three: Franchise, Road to the Show, and Diamond Dynasty. Each are as deep as the main career mode in most other sports games, plus there are multiple ways to enjoy each one. Being a catcher in RttS is extremely different from being a pitcher, infielder, etc. Try to play a franchise as a manager, or even a GM, letting the computer handle the day to day operations while you tweak the roster. Diamond Dynasty is my least favorite, but is still an interesting mode if you are willing to put in the time.

4.Keep your roster up to date: This has been one of the busiest off seasons in recent memory. With the ability to transfer your season (see #1), you can mirror the real life moves and have a relatively accurate roster on Opening Day 2015. It might not be as detailed as the one Knight and crew put together, but it should hold you over until then.

5.Price: As of this writing, MLB 14: The Show is only $25 on Amazon, a steal for one of 2014’s best games. (http://www.amazon.com/MLB-14-The-Sho.../dp/B00GG4BBUM). I’d wager that even at $40, you’d get your money’s worth by the time MLB 15 releases.