Top 8 Sports Games for the Xbox Series X

The top 8 sports games for the Xbox Series X include titles from the fighting, racing, and skating categories. These games feature both online and offline modes that are packed with tons of content. Thankfully, players who prefer to play online will find large communities behind these sports titles. However, this doesn’t mean that the communities are so big that a game like NBA 2K23 is available on Game Pass.

Besides that, most of the games on our list were released a while ago. To that end, the studios behind them regularly update their games, so your experience will be worthwhile. 

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The 8 Best Sports Games for the Xbox Series X

Sports games are the most competitive type of video game in the industry, besides Soulslike games that are similar to Elden Ring. Our list breaks down eight of them, and sure enough, our mini-review includes their highlights and cons. Some of these games were released years ago, but they remain masterpieces. 

#1: Rocket League

Rocket League was released in 2015 for the PS4 and PC. More than seven years later, it’s still a great game about sports cars that play a ball around, looking for a goal. The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes. Sure, you can enjoy both modes locally and online, which includes cross-play. Cross-play is a feature that allows you to play across multiple console platforms, so PlayStation and Xbox console owners can play together.

In Rocket League, cars are acrobatic, seemingly able to pass balls to other cars with precision and supersonic speed. You can also ram other cars into submission, though they’ll easily respawn a few moments later. Other features include the ability to dodge, jump, and spin in any direction. You can play one-on-one matches, with the maximum being four-on-four. Who knew rocket-powered cars could be so flexible?

#2: Football Manager 2023

In many football games, gamers control football players, don’t they? Play Football Manager 2023, and you’ll control the coach, who’s in charge of more than a dozen players. You must manage not only tactics on the pitch but also off the field. The game is also a literal sponge for hard work because you can dump hundreds of hours into it. 

You’ll find a club that’s ideal for your playstyle and can compete in different leagues like the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Europa Conference League. It’s an extremely detailed game with tons of drama, such as: 

• You get the role of executing different tactics.
• You also manage transfers and match days.
• You can sign and create superstars.

#3: MLB The Show 23

Baseball fans rejoice! MLB The Show 23 is an exemplary simulator with realistic animations, great graphics, and immersive music. There’s currently no other baseball game on the market that looks as gorgeous as this. Moving forward, the game features many modes, including Road to the Show, Diamond Dynasty, and Franchise. However, the star of the show (Pardon the pun, but we love humour at Player.com) is the Storyline mode. In it, you’ll enjoy the Negro League, which is a documentary-style mode about eight of the best players from past golden eras. Luckily, this game can be enjoyed via Game Pass.

#4: Skate 3

Skate 3 is a skating game that’s slightly overshadowed by Tony Hawk’s many games. Nevertheless, the third time’s the charm, and Skate 3 proves that skating games can be fun. For one, it’s a solid game that comprehensively covers the skating experience. You can explore large sandboxes with your skating board and customise your character along the way. 

Additionally, it’s not a simple sports game where you wander around. Instead, there’s a great storyline at the centre of the game. It deserves a sequel since it was released way back in 2010. However, the game has unfortunately faded away. Moving forward, the open world of Port Carverton is beautiful. 

#5: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is an epic remastered version of the original game. The game is a cultural masterpiece where you perform many feats as Tony Hawk, an experienced skater. Besides its perfect review scores, the game has a point-based progression system. You skate in levels where you gather points to progress to the next stage. Perform aerials, reverts, spine transfers, wall plants, flips, manuals, grinds, and lips to earn points. 

There are also split-screen and online multiplayer modes where you can compete against other skaters. Also, despite the fact that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is made in Tony Hawk’s image, you can still create your character from scratch. Lastly, the music is nostalgic and immersive, so players can get lost in the beautiful sandbox.

#6: NBA 2K23

The best basketball game on earth is NBA 2K23, and sure, we’re looking forward to playing the next instalment. Players in the game are beautifully rendered, plus their moves and animations are properly captured. So, it’s almost like you’re a pro basketball player yourself, which is a feat that competitors can’t boast of. Also, there’s the NBA 2K23 MyNBA Era, which lets you play as legendary teams and players. If you have a dream player, MyCAREER is for you. It’s a bit of a mixed bag because of its shoddy plot. Lastly, NBA 2K23 isn’t available on the Xbox Game Pass.  

#7: FIFA 23

Football is the most popular sport in the world for a reason, and that’s because of the feats that players can perform with their feet. From bicycle kicks to volleys, it takes a lot of technical skill and dedication to become a world-class footballer. FIFA 23 is the best iteration of a football game known to man because of its gorgeous tactical play and gorgeous graphics. It’s also backed by FIFA itself, which means there are tons of clubs to pick from. Other features of FIFA 23 that make it so good are: 

• FIFA Ultimate Team is one of the greatest multiplayer modes to ever grace the gaming industry. 
• Ball control is phenomenal in FIFA 23 with plenty of animations, including controlled, explosive, and lengthy accelerations. 
• Cross-play allows players to compete across gaming platforms. So, Xbox players can compete against PlayStation owners, and vice versa. 
• The presentation is epic, and VOLTA is spectacular. Let’s not forget that highlights are replayable. 
• Protecting balls is a far more intimate affair than in previous FIFA games.

#8: MotoGP 23

MotoGP 23 didn’t receive many positive reviews from critics, but from a gameplay point of view, it’s a fun game. The graphics are stunning, the bike engines sound amazing, and the animations are super smooth. It’s an adrenaline-packed race after race, which isn’t getting old anytime soon. Hopefully, the next instalment will be even better than this. The game also offers multiple modes, including single-player and online multiplayer experiences. Some of the other exciting features of MotoGP 23 are: 

• There are new challenges to look forward to in the new modes.
• The dynamic weather makes gameplay unpredictable and fun.
• There are new racing modes, including an online mode.
• AI assists players with no experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Is the Number One Sports Game for Xbox Series X Today?

The number one sports game for the Xbox Series X has to be FIFA 23. EA FC 24 has been released, but it doesn’t quite impress like its predecessors. Other great sports games that we recommend are NBA 2K24, Rocket League, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, and The Crew 2. However, if you’re a football fan, try picking up one of the recent FIFA games. 

What Are the Best Sports Games If You’re Subscribed to Game Pass?

The best sports games for Game Pass subscribers are EA Sports UFC 4, Skate 3, Football Manager 2023, Laser League, DiRT Rally 2.0, Shredders, Windjammers 2, and Lonely Mountains: Downhill. Of course, the joy of Game Pass is that new games are constantly added to the subscription. All you have to do is sit back and watch its events unfold.

Is Xbox Game Pass the Best Deal in Video Games?

Yes, the Xbox Game Pass offers the best deals on video games. Not only is the subscription budget-friendly, but the game library is regularly updated by Microsoft with modern games. So, you’re not only stuck with retro games like Metro: Redux, but also the likes of Metro Exodus. Additionally, Game Pass is available on PCs too, and yes, it includes some of the best deals in the gaming industry too.