We’re not going to beat around the bush here, the genre of sports video games is getting very, very stale, as established franchises continue to release similar but slightly different annual installments that are getting harder and harder to get excited about each year. This becomes even more apparent in 2024, where some of the best sports games that made their debuts are basically regurgitated copies of their 2023 variants. Needless to say, there are only a few surprises this time around.
5. WWE 2K24
Since the absolute disaster that was WWE 2K20, the folks at Visual Concepts have made it their life’s mission to get this legendary series back on top. We saw that with fantastic episodes in 2022 and 2023, and now 2024 continues that trend by once again delivering a promising and tight wrestling experience that is packed with all the drama of the real entertainment product. This year’s game not only presented the typical array of modes and a large collection of wrestlers to play with, but also expanded its slate with a 2K Showcase of the Immortals mode that paid homage to Wrestlemania through the ages. This is still the best way to experience WWE in a virtual format.
4. EA Sports FC 25
We really weren’t impressed or inspired by EA’s first foray into a soccer world without FIFA. Last year’s EA Sports FC 24 left a lot to be desired and lacked the level of sophistication and depth we usually attribute to the series. Fortunately, the developers used some of this feedback and fan uproar to vastly improve EA Sports FC 25, a game that felt like a fitting investment for those spending money on what is so often hailed as a replica of the previous year’s game. If only Ultimate Team were less of a money grab….
3. Undisputed
EA has starved us with the lack of new Fight Night installments, which is why we’re glad Steel City Interactive stepped up to the plate and actually delivered a boxing game made for boxing fans. Sure, the launch of 1.0 had its bugs and performance issues, and yes, there are many improvements to be made, but this was designed to be an authentic boxing experience for true boxing fans, and this is what Undisputed has achieved. The great fight system offers a lot of depth and different punching techniques, combined with licensed tournaments, belts and scanned boxers from the past and present, make this a real treat for the boxing community. Again, without the performance and technical issues, this game would be higher on this list.
2. Top turn 2K25
It’s been a while since we had a serious simulated tennis video game, because despite being in a bit of a golden age in the sport, with generational talent like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer leading the scene in the 2010s, the Top Spin and Virtua Tennis series eventually took a very long break. 2024 was the year Top Spin decided to return to save tennis from what had become a purely arcade video game sport, and it did not disappoint. The official and authentic tournaments, venues, players and equipment, combined with a great mechanical and gameplay setup, make this a strong contender for best sports game of 2024. What else is there to say?
1. NBA 2K25
Yes, it’s pretty much the same game as the 2023 installment, but as they say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, and that’s exactly the mantra Visual Concepts stuck to for NBA 2K25. This is still pretty much the gold standard for a sports video game, with incredible visuals, tight and exciting gameplay and mechanical depth, authentic and accurate courts, locations, players and equipment, and a whole host of game modes that ensure you’ll never get bored of the action. Whether you want to take the field as your own character or instead build a dynasty as a general manager, the decision is entirely up to you, and all of these options come with high-quality delivery, making this a solid lock for our best sports game of 2024.