As summer approaches, few head towards the fields to play their favorite sports. While the thrill of playing it outdoors is uncomparable, we have become couch potatoes thanks to all these years of the technological revolution. People are very reluctant to move outdoors. This makes playing video games at home the best alternative. If you miss your favorite sport, it is probably available as a Sports game for Xbox 360 or Xbox One.
Sports Games for Xbox 360 or Xbox One
1] Madden NFL
Madden NFL has a kind of monopoly with the American market. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that Madden NFL is the only purchasable game in the U.S. However, this lack of competition has had no effect on its developers, who strive to keep making it better.
Complete with GM modes and multiple career options, the fully featured football game is available in both online and offline modes. It allows players to create their team from scratch and choose the features of the team members. However, the game is slow, thus giving a lesser advantage to those defending the position. Some say that it adds to the fun in the game.
2] Pro Evolution Soccer
In the U.S., soccer is the term used for association football played in the rest of the world. For Americans, football is the game played with an oval-shaped ball. While Madden NFL is the only choice for American football lovers, they have many more options for their soccer.
If I were asked about the best soccer game in the market, the question would be answered with another question: Is it about the game in itself or the game with the most real-like teams and players? And if it is to ask for the best game overall, I would suggest playing Pro Evolution Soccer.
Unlike most other sports games, Pro Evolution Soccer is more of a simulation game than an arcade. It isn’t about animations here; it is that gameplay that matters. The graphics and gameplay are quite realistic. All possible efforts have been made to imitate the experience of the actual soccer league.
3] NHL
NHL refers to the National Hockey League. Though a less-watched sport, it has its own dedicated fan following. NHL ’16 is a sequel to the famed first version NHL ’15. NHL ’15 is the debut game of the series that had some flaws. They were yet to judge their user base when they launched it. But all feedback has been studied, and this is evident by the positive changes made for NHL ’16.
The game has the usual GM and career modes, besides the option to form leagues and play it online. Both NHL games are at a very basic level as per gaming standards. Being the only good enough option for Hockey lovers, they have a monopoly in this market.
4] NBA
Living in the U.S., the craze for basketball cannot be undermined. While many games are dedicated to basketball, the oldest ones on the market are the NBA series. NBA 2K16 is the latest one in that series.
The developers have been refining the game for years. As of now, it has awesome graphics and a realistic view. Whether you are a basketball fan or not, you will find this game nice to play.
5] WWE
WWE is the acronym for World Wrestling Entertainment. Mostly claimed to be a fake show, WWE is a thrilling sport having a huge fan following.
WWE 2K series of games is considered a veteran in the gaming market. The 2015 version of the series failed to impress many. It focused on rivalries, and people didn’t find anything different. But that is exactly where they have improved upon while making WWE 2K16. The featured performer is Stone Cold Steve Austin.
WWE 2K16 focuses on past games more than the recent matches. They have more than 120 performers on the disc, many of whom were stars in the ”80s and ’90’s. Interestingly, the new version has options to create new players using their tools.
6] DiRT Rally
Now that a racing game has to be listed among sports games, it could be a huge competition for the slot. Many would try to recommend NFS or Grand Prix, but if it should be particular to the console, DiRT rally is the best bet in the market.
The graphics of the game are too realistic. When combined with the amazing sound effect, the user might get so involved with the game that he might lose track of reality. DiRT Rally isn’t easy to learn or master. It would need time and patience. But once you understand the game, you will surely become addicted.
7] Killer Instinct
Since the beginning of the video game era, fighting games have been the most popular. This is probably because fighting games test skills that other genres don’t.
One great Xbox game that can be played online, in single-player (against bots), or in multi-player mode is Killer Instinct. The game introduces a new character and a new challenge at every level. Just like the popular Tekken, it has a set of combos that, if learned, make the gameplay easier.
8] Rory McIlroy PGA Tour
Golf is indeed a sport of the rich. There are a few professionals, but it isn’t like you could walk into a golfing society and join the league. You need a financial push to participate.
For those who love watching golf and dream of playing it, playing its video game on the console is not a bad idea despite the difficulties with the actual sport. Rory McIlroy PGA Tour is considered the best among the few golf games available for Xbox.
Unfortunately, when we call Rory McIlroy PGA Tour the best golf game, it is because it lacks competition in the genre, not because it ranks high on comparison parameters. The players are small and the gameplay options are limited.
However, the game offers a good start with a detailed guide that includes every golf strategy. Despite the average graphics, the game gives a great learning experience for golf lovers.
9] Rocket League
If mainstream soccer has become monotonous, one could try Rocket League. It’s the same ball game but played with rocket-powered cars. The game supports both single-player and multiplayer modes, which could be cross-platform. This means a player with an Xbox could compete with another player on a Playstation.
The gameplay involves controlling a rocket-powered car to hit balls larger than them in size and score goals. It involves options like speed boost, etc.
10] Steep
Steep is an ‘extreme sports’ game set in the Alps. The game involves four main activities: paragliding, snowboarding, skiing, and wingsuit flying. Since most individuals aren’t as physically capable of all these extreme sports, the thrill could be experienced on the console.
The game uses a GoPro camera for all these activities to give a realistic feeling. The game involves performing stunts like grabbing and spinning to score points and win.
The Xbox 360 versions of the games can be purchased from the Xbox Marketplace, and the Xbox One versions can be purchased from third-party sites like Amazon.
