For years, major console developers have been releasing highly popular games, particularly sports games, exclusively to consoles, much to the annoyance of PC gamers who have USB controllers and want to play them. Releasing a game on multiple platforms requires a lot of extra work and resources. Some console developers feel that if they don’t need to go through the hassle, so why rock their own boat?
Even years later, with some PC gamers all but on their knees and begging for particular titles to be ported to PC, it has been to no avail. As far as they’re concerned, if you wanted to play their games, you could simply buy a console.
However, with the arrival of cross-platform technology, as well as a surge of popularity and interest in online games and vendor platforms, things have begun to change. At least partly. While developers make up their minds, here is a list of the best sports games currently available to play on PC that are also cross platform.
1. FIFA 23
There would probably be riots if the FIFA series was ever made a console exclusive. EA Sports at least had enough sense and care for PC gamers and general society to have at least made FIFA available for PC since the 90s.
EA Sports FIFA has dominated its genre for decades, and only in recent years has it gained any serious competition, like Pro Evolution Soccer, and others.
2. Madden NFL 23
After a long hiatus, EA Sports has been kind enough to once again not deprive PC gamers of another all-time popular sports franchise, the Madden NFL series. Known for being one of the most popular pro football games of all time, Madden NFL 23 for PC, and its predecessors Madden NFL 21-22, are basically the only choices for quality pro football games.
3. Football Manager 23
The Football Manager franchise, the highly successful manager football-soccer manager game by Sports Interactive and Sega, has become one of the most popular manager-in-the-history-of-sports games.
Though not a console game, and very different from other sports games like FIFA, Football Manager is based around managing numbers, players, teams, resources, and general stats. Though down to an incredibly in-depth and detailed level. Not recommended for gamers who just want to kick a ball around and have fun. Otherwise, if you’re not careful it might become your new favourite obsession.
4. Super Mega Baseball 3
Thanks to Metal Head Software, PC gamers have a decent and fun baseball game to play as an alternative to the exclusive console baseball games. It’s designed to more accessible to wider audience, and so, is a fairly easy and casual sort of game. However, don’t let this, or its cartoonish look dissuade you from giving it a try. As you get into it, it can offer a lot of entertainment as well as a decent challenge. Its various game modes and options for single and multiplayer offer a lot to enjoy and explore.
5. eFootball PES 2021
Becoming a major competitor for FIFA, the Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) franchise from Konomi, has made a concerted effort over time to establish their popular series on PC, and mobile devices.
Going for almost two decades, they have managed to build up a sizeable fan-base as well as produced a number of quality games, which tend to get better with each instalment. Perhaps except for PES 2022, which hasn’t fared well with the critics. PES 2021 though, is still a great game, as well as a highly popular alternative to FIFA.
6. NBA 2K22
Another highly popular quality sports game, like EA Sports, developers 2K Sports decided to make their game available for PC, much to PC sports gamers delight.
With a fun single player mode that includes an engaging career mode, multiplayer, and exceptional graphics and gameplay, the NBA 2K series has made a name for itself as one of the top basketball games currently available, on PC or otherwise.
7. Riders Republic
Created by Ubisoft and considered as the spiritual successor popular to the game called Steep, Rider’s Republic is open-world action-packed extreme sports extravaganza, with stunning graphics and highly entertaining gameplay. It features fun activities like mountain-biking, snowboarding, skiing, wingsuit-flying, and much more. Up to 64 players can also join a session online, making it a highly fun and competitive game.
8. Rocket League
While some might argue that Rocket League doesn’t fit the sports genre, it has a ball, it has goals, it has teams, and it’s a popular eSport. The only odd thing really is that you play with race cars. It also happens to be one of the most popular games around at the moment, with a massive player-base and regular eSport tournaments. The best thing about it though, is that it’s free!
Other Sports Games For PC
While sports games unfortunately aren’t made with the same enthusiasm and frequency for PCs as they are for consoles, they are, however, around. They may require a bit of a search or settling for a lesser alternative to a console exclusive, but this has generally been the plight for PC sports gamers for many a year.
Otherwise, with cross-platform gaming now becoming more and more popular and utilised, more options are gradually becoming available. Check the webstores of traditional console developers to see if any of their games have gone cross-platform. Or perhaps check out Microsoft Game Pass, which offers a small monthly fee to play an unlimited number of their extensive selection of games, new and old.
Also, perhaps check out the sports games being created by indie developers on online game vending platforms like Steam. Indie developers have gradually been answering the call for more PC sports games over the years. Though their games are often simple and underdeveloped in caparison to AAA games from big companies or those available at Lotus Asia, they can also, every now and then, be diamonds in the rough, and all they need to shine is a bit of support.
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