Video gaming is a multibillion-dollar industry and sports titles contribute a significant amount to the overall figures. Any sport can be replicated on the small screen and the quality of the product has increased exponentially in recent years.
Many of us are passionate about at least one sport. By playing that sport via a video game, we are suddenly in control. All the thrills and drama of the game are brought into our living room or onto our mobile device as we play on the go.
Here are some of the best titles across a range of sports.
FIFA 23
Lovers of soccer as a sport should already be very familiar with the FIFA series. It’s simply the most popular game in this sector and its success is down to one key factor. A sense of realism is needed for one title to stand out from its competitors and FIFA has nailed it in that respect.
Walk into a room where anyone is playing the FIFA series and you could be forgiven for thinking you are watching a real game. The graphics are stunning, and the characters are incredibly lifelike.
FIFA was first released back in 1993 and it’s now under the EA Sports umbrella. The latest edition is FIFA 23 and it’s a groundbreaking title as it’s the first to feature women’s club football.
It’s continued to grow, and the series now showcases 30 leagues and 700 clubs across the world. It faithfully replicates all the thrills of professional soccer and is largely unrivaled in this respect.
Madden NFL 23
Madden NFL is American Football’s equivalent of FIFA. It’s simply the best title in its sector and the one that most fans turn to. The mix of realism and thrilling gameplay help this game stand out from its many alternatives.
The newest addition to the stable is Madden NFL 23 and it’s so lifelike that its ranking system is similar to the one which is employed by the sports betting industry. NFL odds are compiled on the comparative strength of each team and this is where the Madden series has a true sense of realism.
First released way back in 1988 as John Madden Football, one of the most popular features is the fantasy element. This allows users to build their ultimate dream team from players right across the NFL.
PGA Tour 2K23
Like others on this list, PGA Tour 2K23 is the leader in its particular sport. We’re talking golf and the faithful replication of the biggest Tour on the circuit. The game first appeared in 1990 with new releases following on an almost annual basis.
2K23 is the latest edition and it’s now covered by the EA Sports producers. Once again, realism is the key to its success and it’s able to replicate the world’s top courses with incredible accuracy.
New for 2023 is the Top of the Rock course as the series expands its stable. The ability to play in tournament or team golf mode is another factor that helps PGA Tour 2K23 to stand out from the competition.
MLB: The Show
There is plenty of competition among baseball releases. Opinion will be divided as to which is the best, but many players come down on the side of MLB: The Show. The first release came out in February 1997, and this is another title that has improved exponentially since that point.
The latest release is MLB: The Show 2022 and it ticks all the boxes in terms of stunning sound and visuals, together with realistic gameplay. New innovations for 2023 include the inclusion of this game on the Nintendo Switch for the very first time.
The game also has new commentators in place as part of its many new additions.
Cricket 2022
While it’s been played for hundreds of years, cricket is actually one of the fastest growing sports of the new millennium. The introduction of faster paced formats is partly responsible for the development and 2023 will see Major League Cricket debuted in the United States.
Of the many video games that are available, the one simply titled ‘Cricket’ is arguably the best. It’s similar to baseball releases in regard to the intricate strategies that are involved. Once the team and the tactics are in place, the excitement can begin.
What to Look for
Each of these games covers two key elements. Firstly, the title has to be realistic with clear graphics and sound that come as close as possible to replicating the real thing.
The action has to produce all the drama and thrills of the real sport too. Golf, soccer, football, and others are all about excitement and those fine lines between success and failure. Each of the titles on this list has managed to get as close as possible to the thrill of the real-life big occasions.