12 Best Sports Video Games in 2025
Sports video games allow you to immerse yourself in the thrill of competition without leaving your home. Want to play the best games in this genre, score winning goals, win major international championships, or conquer the toughest tracks in racing games?
The top modern video games offer players ultra-realistic gameplay, well-designed athlete behavior on screen, and a competitive spirit.
In this review, we’ve prepared the best sports video games for you! These titles will introduce you to soccer, basketball, baseball, or other sports. The FIFA series, Madden NFL, a dynamic basketball game, or the iconic NBA Jam – you’ll find something for yourself.
Today, we’ll talk about career mode, competitive matches with friends, and games with the most realistic stadiums and teams.
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Our Top Picks for Sports Video Games
If you’re looking for the best sports video games that offer engaging gameplay, realistic atmosphere, and well-designed game modes, you’ll definitely enjoy these titles:
- NBA 2K25 (2024) – the latest installment of the popular basketball game series with improved graphics, detailed gameplay modes, and realistic teams for competitive multiplayer.
- WWE 2K24 (2024) – an exciting wrestling simulator with an advanced universe mode, updated athlete roster, and enhanced fighting mechanics.
- MLB The Show 24 (2024) – a top-tier baseball game with detailed stadiums, realistic ball physics, and a career mode.
- Madden NFL 24 (2023) – a legendary American football simulator with updated animation systems, licensed NFL teams, and season mode and ultimate team modes.
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 (2020) – a classic arcade skateboarding game with iconic tricks, dynamic gameplay, and revamped graphics in the new era style.
That’s just the start! There are plenty more amazing sports games worth checking out, whether you’re into high-speed action, strategic gameplay, or competitive multiplayer. Keep scrolling to see the full list and find your next favorite sports title!
12 Best Sports Video Games for Competition and Realism
There are quite a lot of sports games, and if you’re just getting into the genre, choosing the right one can be a bit tricky. We’ve tried to make things easier and picked the 12 best sports games of all time. This list includes the latest releases and titles that have remained popular among players for many years. Keep reading to find something interesting for yourself.
1. NBA 2K25 [The Best Basketball Simulation with a Deep Career Mode]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Nintendo Switch | 2024 | Visual Concepts |
NBA 2K25 is the new installment of the legendary basketball epic simulation game series, which offers players advanced graphics, physics, and comfortable controls.
In this new version, the developers have worked on the animation of the basketball players’ movements – now they are smoother and closer to reality. The new edition also features AI elements, which allow opponents to act smarter, while teammates better read your game on the court.
Why I like the game:
- Realistic graphics with detailed faces, dynamic lighting, and player movements just like in real life;
- Improved career mode. Create your own basketball player and take them from a rookie to a true NBA star;
- Various gameplay modes. Here, you’ll have access to quick play and franchise mode with deep immersion, where you can manage the entire team;
- Online competitions. Participate in ranked matches and try to compete against the best players from around the world.
2. WWE 2K24 [The Most Spectacular Wrestling Game with a Detailed Universe Mode]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| PlayStation, Xbox, PC | 2024 | Visual Concepts |
The new game is a great continuation of the entire wrestling series by the developer. It features detailed graphics, updated hit-and-move physics, and new realistic animations. The developers from 2K Sports added several improvements – the crowd in the arena now reacts more realistically to what’s happening in the ring, and opponents make decisions based on artificial intelligence cues. If you’re into intense fighting games, this title is definitely something you can’t miss.
Here’s what I liked during gameplay:
- There’s the option to create your own WWE brand, allowing you to manage the matches and careers of specific players;
- Career mode. I literally built my athlete from scratch into the best, after which he could confidently face legends in the wrestling world;
- Updated gameplay. In the new version, the hits are much smoother and more realistic. I really sometimes felt like I wasn’t playing but watching a match on TV;
- Historical moments in the world of wrestling. In the new game, I could also participate in iconic matches from wrestling history, including legendary fights with Muhammad Ali;
- Great character creation mode. If the ready-made fighters don’t suit your liking, you can create your own character literally from scratch.
3. MLB The Show 24 [The Best Baseball Game with Realistic Stadiums]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch | 2024 | San Diego Studio |
MLB The Show 24 is the new installment of the famous baseball game from San Diego Studio. If you’ve always wanted to be part of a baseball team, this is the game for you. This year, the developers really stepped up their game – there’s an updated artificial intelligence, more realistic throwing and hitting animations, and expanded team management options.
Why I like this game:
- Photorealistic graphics and ball physics in flight;
- Great career mode – start from the bottom and rise to become the greatest baseball player of all time;
- Manage your own team, sign contracts, and pick only top-tier players;
- Compete online with friends or opponents worldwide – it’s time to show who’s the best at baseball.
4. Madden NFL 24 [The Most Comprehensive American Football Simulation]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| PlayStation, Xbox, PC | 2023 | EA Sports |
I can confidently call Madden NFL 24 one of the best sports games from EA Sports. What we got this year is improved gameplay and more realistic player collision physics. The developers also used modern technologies like FieldSENSE and Hit Everything, making every movement look truly natural.
I would also include this title in the ranking of the greatest Madden games ever – choosing the right planning for your players on the field is crucial for the next match, and 99% of your success depends on it.
Why I liked this game:
- An excellent career mode that lets you develop players from scratch;
- The ability to collect legendary player cards and build your own dream team;
- Franchise mode – create your own team and lead it to victory throughout the season;
- Realistic physics and animations – it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between the game and a real NFL match;
- Official NFL license. The game features only current teams, real players, and authentic stadiums.
5. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 [The Best Skateboarding Game Ever Made]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Switch | 2020 | Vicarious Visions |
The remaster of the iconic skateboarding arcade games that once set a high standard. In the updated version, the developers enhanced the graphics, kept the classic arcade gameplay, and made the game more dynamic.
Here are several reasons why you should play Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2:
- Arcade gameplay that truly evokes a sense of nostalgia – classic mechanics where you need to perform tricks, find the right speed, and collect combos for better scores;
- Legendary soundtrack – get ready to hear beloved tracks from the 90s and 2000s;
- Create your own skatepark. Design the trick area from scratch to perfection and share it with your friends;
- Local cooperative mode lets you compete with friends for the best scores;
- Available on multiple platforms – you can play the game on both your computer and gaming consoles.
6. F1 24 [The Most Realistic Formula 1 Racing Experience]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| PlayStation, Xbox, PC | 2024 | Codemasters |
The latest edition of the official racing games, developed by Codemasters and published by EA Sports. What to expect in this exceptional racing game is more realistic car handling, as well as exciting races that keep you on the edge of your seat until the very finish.
What we liked in F1 24:
- Real athletes and tracks where races took place in 2024;
- There is a career mode – go through the journey of a professional racer from scratch;
- Several game modes – individual races, cooperative championships, and online mode;
Complete realism – aerodynamics, tire wear, and other factors affect the car’s behavior.
7. Forza Horizon 5 [The Ultimate Open-World Racing Game]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| Xbox, PC | 2021 | Playground Games |
The game was released in 2021 and can still be considered one of the most awesome open-world games. Here you’ll find massive races, as well as an incredible level of realism. The events take place in colorful Mexico, and the realistic physics blends perfectly with the arcade mode.
Here’s why I recommend playing Forza Horizon 5:
- Open world where you’ll spend dozens of hours – from deserts and mountain serpentine roads to city streets with active traffic;
- Car customization – hundreds of licensed cars from leading manufacturers that you can fully tune to your liking;
- Realistic season changes – seasons and weather conditions will have a significant impact on the racing process;
- Advanced multiplayer – team races and competitions with friends have become even more interesting.
8. FIFA 23 [Best Soccer Game with Ultimate Team Mode]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Switch | 2022 | EA Sports |
FIFA 23 is a legendary football game that became the last installment before the transition to EA Sports FC. It features realistic ball physics and well-designed athlete animations. The game includes over 19,000 athletes from around the world, who are modeled after real-life players. Footballers move naturally, and the animation is as realistic as possible.
Here’s why I recommend playing FIFA 2023
- Several new game modes, including playing as women’s football clubs;
- The game is engaging for players of all skill levels—from casual arcade matches in Volta Football to a realistic experience in Pro Clubs;
- Real athletes and the best football stadiums from around the world.
9. NBA Jam [Most Fun Arcade Basketball Game]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| Arcade, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear, Sega CD, Sega Saturn, 32X, PlayStation, Atari Jaguar, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, iOS, Android | 2010 | EA Sports |
NBA Jam is another iconic basketball game that remains relevant despite being released back in 2010. One of the features of this game is that you can play not only on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Wii consoles but also on mobile phones. As a result, your favorite athletes will always be with you.
Why do I like this game? There are several reasons:
- Easy arcade mode with 2v2 matches, no complex mechanics, but spectacular tricks and dunks;
- You can play as legendary players;
- The Burning Ball mode, where all shots become super powerful;
- On some devices, you can use cheat codes to unlock secret characters and fun game modes.
10. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe [Best Arcade Racing Game for All Ages]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| Nintendo Switch | 2017 | Nintendo |
Mario Kart is one of the most successful racing games in the history of Nintendo, packed full of iconic characters from the Mario universe.
The game is popular among players for several reasons:
- Fun arcade mode, which is perfect for party games with friends. Easy to pick up and each race is accompanied by real chaos on the screen;
- A wide selection of tracks and characters. You can control one of 42 racers;
- Multiplayer modes. You can compete with opponents online, creating a real challenge for yourself.
11. PGA Tour 2K23: Deluxe Edition [Best Golf Simulation Game]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| PlayStation, Xbox, PC | 2022 | HB Studios |
A great game for golf lovers – you’ll experience deep and authentic gameplay. This version features updated game modes, advanced physics, and expanded shot mechanics. You’ll encounter real athletes, including Tiger Woods, who has returned to the series as a licensed character. Plus, you can participate in competitive online matches.
Why you should play PGA Tour 2K23:
- The best licensed golfers from around the world;
- Completely realistic ball behavior during the shot and flight;
- The ability to create a customized character.
12. NHL 24 [Most Realistic Ice Hockey Game]
| Platforms | Year of Release | Developer |
| PlayStation, Xbox | 2023 | EA Sports |
The most realistic hockey game series – it offers revamped gameplay, new tactical options, and, of course, fascinating gameplay. The new series uses the Exhaust Engine system, making pressure in the attack zone crucial for winning the match.
Why I liked NHL 24:
- Multiplayer game mode for hockey matches with real players;
- Realistic graphics and animation create the feeling of a real hockey game;
- New modes, including a tournament format;
- Flexibility in-game settings, allowing you to adapt the game to your preferences.
FAQs
Which sports video game is the most realistic?
Among the most realistic games, we can highlight NBA 2K25 (basketball), F1 24 (racing), and Madden NFL 24 (American football). These games feature realistic physics, modern animation, and deep tactical elements incorporated into the gameplay.
Which sports games are best for playing with friends?
If you want to play with friends, we recommend trying FIFA 23, NBA 2K25, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Madden NFL 24. You can play with friends both online and via local multiplayer. It’s a great opportunity to organize a real competition night.
Which sports video games are available on Nintendo Switch?
If you’re a Nintendo Switch owner, you can play NBA 2K25, FIFA 23, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and MLB The Show 24. If you prefer the classics, check out the Wii Sports game set, which will allow you to test all the possibilities of the console’s controller.
Are there any free sports games?
Yes, there are several games you can play for free. A prime example is eFootball 2024 (formerly PES), a free soccer simulator, and Rocket League, which combines soccer and racing.
