Best Buy Sports Videogame Banner featuring NHL's Cale Makar, NBA's Kobe Bryant and MLB's Jazz Chisolm Jr.

Sports videogames have a long history that dates all the way back to the early 1970s with titles like Atari’s Pong and Sega’s Grand Prix. Both titles are some of the earliest 8-bit takes on real-world sports competition. Fast forward to today and the sports genre has advanced by leaps and bounds with incredible graphics, authentic audio and detailed physics that closely emulate their real-life counterparts.

I’ll explore some of the best sports games out currently and take a look at what’s coming next. Let’s dive into the wild world of sports and find an experience that’s right for you!

Major league sports games

If you are a fan of professional sports, many have titles releasing annually. From basketball to golf all major leagues like NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, PGA and soccer all have games out now to help live out your pro sports fantasies.

Each year, sports games go through a refresh adding better graphics, new gameplay mechanics and features that continue to bring them closer to their real-life counterparts. If you are hitting the gridiron, hard court, ice or field all your favourite players and teams await. Here are some of the major pro league franchises:

Madden 24

Release Date: Available now

Make your game plan come to life with responsive controls and a greater level of realism in Madden NFL 24. AI enhanced movement and reactions push your team forward, helping you execute complex moves with greater ease. With game modes from Superstar to Franchise, you can build your dream roster or take your NFL career to greater heights with a skilled avatar.

Purchase Madden NFL 24 today

NBA 2K24

Release Date: Available Now

Relive the legacy of Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, with NBA 2K24. Along with your favourite teams, you can step into Kobe’s shoes and recreate his most memorable moments on the court. Enjoy realistic graphics and fast-paced gameplay with the best NBA and WNBA teams. Get ready for tip off!

Pre-order NBA 2K24

MLB The Show 23

Release Date: Available Now

MLB The Show 23 lets you enjoy the best of baseball in a realistic and immersive game. Play as the legends of the sport and create your own memorable MLB moments. The Show 23 is the ultimate baseball experience for fans and gamers alike.

Purchase MLB The Show 23

FC 24

Release Date: Pre-order now

Experience the thrill of football with FC 24, in what EA aims to create the most realistic and immersive game in the series. With HyperMotion V technology, you can see every detail of how over 19,000 real players move and play on-screen. You can also enjoy new pitches, from stadiums to streets, get ready to experience the beautiful game like never before.

Reserve FC 24

NHL 24

Release Date: Pre-order now

NHL 24 lets you experience the intensity and realism of pro hockey. With the new Exhaust Engine, powered by Frostbite, you can feel the rush and fatigue of high-pressure games as you battle for possession and momentum. You can also unleash your creativity and skill with Vision Passing and Total Control Skill Moves, giving you more control on the ice. And with Physics-Based Contact, you can witness the impact of every hit and collision on the ice.

Reserve NHL 24

Racing Games

Motorsports are one of the most fun and exciting parts of this genre. The depth and breadth in how you can take a checkered flag on a track are incredibly varied. From arcade racers like Mario Kart to the ultra-realistic Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo simulators offer challenges to gamers of all skill levels. Let’s take a look at what each offer with some of the category’s best games:

Arcade-style racing

If you are looking for a more accessible, action-packed experience arcade racing has plenty of fun and thrills in store. Born and bred in arcade cabinets, classics like Out Run, Daytona USA and Ridge Racer shaped the modern arcade racer experience we enjoy on home gaming consoles today.

These racers come in many different styles and settings from cartoony kart racers to out of this world sci-fi showdowns. They aren’t without their challenges, but if you are looking for over the top fun.

Upcoming arcade racers

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2

Release Date: Pre-order today!

Explore amazing new environments and terrain with over 130 vehicles, from sleek sports cars to powerful monster trucks. Challenge yourself with different game modes, or follow the story mode for immersive action.

Reserve Hot Wheels Unleashed 2

Kart Racers

Kart Racers

If you are looking for pure fun on the racetrack, give kart racing games a whirl. Kart racers streamline controls while adding in twists like out of this world tracks and even introduce combat mechanics. Careful how you use that purple shell in Mario Kart!

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Release Date: Available now on Nintendo Switch

Released back in 2017, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still remains the undisputed champion of kart racers. This is the definitive version of the game featuring 42 characters, 48 courses, and 40 karts (and growing!). Nintendo continues to support Mario Kart 8 through paid DLC with the Deluxe Booster Course Pass. The DLC adds on a whopping 48 additional tracks that will be released in waves until the end of 2023. 

Buy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Open world racers

A relatively new genre, open world racers have quickly become the most interesting motorsport games in this category. These games let you hop in a vehicle and take it just about anywhere your heart desires. The freedom these games offer is extremely satisfying and gained a loyal following from both casual and hardcore racing fans.

Forza Horizon 5

Release Date: Available now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC

The latest entry in the legendary Forza Horizon series takes to road in Mexico. Explore the series most ambitious setting yet packed with races, challenges and a massive lineup of cars.

Purchase Forza Horizon 5

The Crew Motorfest

Release Date: Pre-order now

Explore the stunning island of O’ahu in The Crew Motorfest, the ultimate racing festival game. Whether you prefer street racing, drift, dirt bikes, hyper racers, or more, you can find your perfect ride among hundreds of iconic cars. You can also take to the skies or the seas with planes and boats. Discover activities, challenges, and secrets across the Hawaiian open world.

Reserve your copy today

Simulation racing

Simulation racing

When it comes to simulation racing games, developers painstakingly work to deliver a real-world driving experience. These games feature realistic physics, and mechanical details right down to aerodynamics, tire tread wear, brakes and the ability to tune your car.

F1 23

Release Date: Available now

Race to the finish with F1 23, featuring a new chapter in the thrilling “Braking Point” story mode to deliver high-speed drama and heated rivalries. Race wheel-to-wheel at new Las Vegas and Qatar circuits and earn rewards and upgrades in F1 World. Drive updated 2023 cars with the official F1 lineup of your favourite 20 drivers and ten teams.

Purchase F1 23

Gran Turismo 7

Release Date: Available now

The real driving simulator is back! Experience the life of a racer by building your professional career, customizing your cars, competing in numerous tracks, and participating in real-life leagues in this visually stunning motorsports game.

Buy Gran Turismo 7

Extreme Sports

Arcade Sports

Step into the wild side of sports where all the limits and boundaries are pushed by athletes who push themselves to the limit. Alongside the wild side of extreme sports are also arcade experiences that bend the rules of sport to create more fun for their audiences. Here are some of my top picks:

Nintendo Switch Sports

Release Date: Available now on the Nintendo Switch

Unleash a new world of gaming experiences with the Nintendo Switch Sports for Nintendo Switch. Featuring six different sports, this switch lets you play your favourite sport with a far-away opponent or as a team sitting in the same room. With the intuitive Leg Strap accessory and Joy-Con controllers, you can curve the bowling ball, hit a tennis shot or even kick a soccer shot.

Buy Nintendo Switch Sports

Splatoon 3

Release Date: Available now on the Nintendo Switch

Get ready for turf wars in ink-based territories with the Splatoon 3 for Nintendo Switch. It features the sun-scorched desert known as the Splatlands, inhabited by Inklings and Octolings. Make use of the new bow-shaped weapon to ink more ground and escape attacks with dynamic moves to win the battle.

Buy Splatoon 3

Sports-based prize fighting

If you are a fan of boxing, MMA or wresting this is the sports subgenre for you. These games emulate sports with hand-to-hand combat delivering the thrills of the ring or octagon right to your gaming console. Get ready to rumble!

WWE 2K23

Release Date: Available now

Step into the ring with WWE 2K23 offering stunning graphics and new features. Choose from a variety of WWE stars, such as Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Roman Reigns, “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, and others.

Buy WWE 2K23 Today!

UFC 5

Release Date: Pre-order today

Step into the octagon with UFC 5, powered by the Frostbite engine. The game features next-generation graphics, all-new damage systems and doctor stoppages that make every fight more realistic and immersive. You can play as your favourite UFC fighters, create your own fighter, or challenge yourself with daily and weekly tasks.

Reserve your copy of UFC 5

High adrenaline action

The sports genre offers a wide range of experiences that look to light a competitive fire in you while playing. Whether you are a fan of big-league sports, racing, extreme competition or prize fighting this genre has something for you. I recommend trying a title from each category above and see which is the best fit for your gaming tastes.

Let us know what your favourite sports game is in the comments below!

Click here to see the full line of video game software available at Bestbuy.ca
Click here to see digital video game downloads offered at BestBuy.ca

Matthew Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things tech related since the start of the digital era. He shares his passion for technology in his day job as a teacher and via multiple media platforms. As a long-time veteran of the video game and tech industry, he's covered interactive entertainment and esports on the web, in video series, podcasts, and on international television. You can follow Matthew's tech-venture filled lifestyle on twitter, instagram @dapper_tux.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here