Competitive games — the real-world type, not the esports type — have been with humankind nearly since the beginning. They’ve served as entertainment, much-need distraction from the daily grind, and a spark for social change. As technology’s advanced, sports have expanded from playgrounds and stadiums to television and video games.
The PC may not be the first place to go when you’re in the mood to play a sports game. After all, the platform lacks the popular MLB The Show titles and NHL games of any sort. The platform does have the FIFA, Madden NFL, and NBA 2K games, but we haven’t included their latest versions here because they’re either buggy or ho-hum affairs. Still, there are plenty of quality sports-based PC games, particularly if you don’t care about realism or league licenses. These are our favorites.
Decades after its Neo Geo arcade debut, SNK’s classic baseball title remains one of the best arcade-style sports games ever made — even without a Major League Baseball license.
Baseball Stars 2 captures the sports’ essence via two leagues, 18 larger-than-life fictional teams, simple controls, oodles of charming animations, and incredible cut scenes that highlight tense moments, such as a play at the plate or a batter punching a pitcher in the face after being on the receiving end of a beanball.
Fire Pro Wrestling World began life as a promising Steam Early Access title. Upon its official release, Spike Chunsoft’s «sports» game morphed into one of the most addictive wrasslin ‘games to grace any platform.
An excellent return to form after the disappointing, avatar-based, Xbox 360-exclusive Fire Pro Wrestling, World has all of the elements that comprise a great Fire Pro game: robust creation tools, a ridiculously deep move set, MMA rules, cage fighting , gimmick matches, and tight controls and match pacing. Online play, Steam Workshop integration for uploading and downloading content, and optional New Japan Pro Wrestling DLC makes Fire Pro Wrestling World the best in its series.
Please note that this review score reflects Fire Pro Wrestling World as it appeared in Steam Early Access. An updated review is coming soon.