With the NBA and NHL in playoffs mode, the MLB in full swing, the Premiere League ending, and other major leagues starting up, it's a great time to be a sports fan. Sport-loving gamers are doubling down on their favorite franchise game to keep the hype going. But for other fans, it's a great time to look for new games that can get them excited about their sport.
These Early Access games offer new mechanics for casual and hardcore sports fans. Whether they're reworked physics, unusual mechanics, or engaging gameplay loops, they have something worth checking out and possibly play with friends.
10 Tape To Tape
Realistic hockey in NHL 23 won't let players score a Crosby backhand with a hotdog hockey stick, but Tape to Tape would. Excellent Rectangle's roguelite hockey game allows players to manage every part of their hockey team, and then some. From their looks, to their special abilities, to the stick they can throw at their opponents, players can create a team that works for their playstyle or whim.
And because of its roguelite nature, players can change their team configuration as often as they want to. They don't even need to worry about offsides or other "real" hockey rules, as this game firmly puts fun first before realism. Players can even play the game with three other players to really live up to its NHL 94 feel.
9 Formula Retro Racing - World Tour
Anyone who's played Daytona USA, Ridge Racer, and similar arcade racing games would get immediately hit by nostalgia for this game's low poly art style. However, while Formula Retro Racing looks as far from realistic racing games as possible, its realistic crash physics and unique handling for each car give the game surprising depth.
Some cars work better for drifting around corners, while the low profile of other cars offers a lot of control. Players can explore how each car handles in a number of iconic locations, and do so with friends via split-screen PvP and cross-platform multiplayer.
8 Active Soccer 2023
Active Soccer 2023 aims to bring managerial aspects of Football Manager-style games with arcade soccer elements. While very much an Early Access title, early adopters get a chance to play with its fast-paced action that scales in complexity the deeper they go at it. Players can also have fun managing the rate of play on the field without focusing too much on 1v1 skill moves.
Up to 4 players can enjoy the completely manual gameplay and create tactics unique to their team. When they return to single-player mode, they can opt into a complete career mode and manage their team on and off the field.
7 Rumble
There's no dearth of videogames about martial arts, but how many of them allow players to throw giant rocks at the enemies? RUMBLE is a VR game that lets players throw boulders and rocks with precise movements and specific moves. As one Early Access reviewer said, it's a great "legally not earthbending" game, especially for Avatar fans who like the series' choreography.
While it takes some work to unlock more than the 3 base moves in-game, players can find satisfaction in getting moves right. Once they're satisfied with their moves, they can go toe-to-toe with other players in the RUMBLE Arena. Up to 6 players can also play together simultaneously at the Park, RUMBLE'S other multiplayer mode.
6 Dream Team Basketball
Opting out of arcade gameplay and realistic rules completely, Dream Team Basketball brings CCG gameplay to the court. The tactical sports game charges players to win by passing, defending, and scoring in short, intensive, turn-based matches. Players do so by managing player cards, skills, formation, and effects.
While the premise may turn off some players, each game is carefully timed and encourages players to think on their feet. This extends to building their team off-court. Players may feel like the GM of a real team as they manage the salary cap, and find players with the right skills to make their team competitive.
5 Disc Golf: Game On
Disc Golf is catching on as a sport in real life and in videogames. Aside from True Disc Golf coming out on the Nintendo Switch, the early access game Disc Golf: Game On allows players to putt safely at home. And it's very clear that DGGO is made for disc golf-playing fans, as it puts an emphasis on how authentic the gameplay feels to the sport.
As the game is far from finished, its content is barebones. But the game that's out on Early Access satisfies disc golf fans who want a non-motion control game. Because of its small community, the same fans may also reach out to the developers and receive quick feedback on any notes they may have.
4 Football Simulator
While its visual fidelity is a few notches below Madden NFL 24, the actual gameplay is up there with the triple-A title. Football Simulator's moddable physics makes every tackle and encounter truly goofy and hilarious.
Aside from the quirky physics, players may be interested in trying its RPG mode. In it, players complete quests to improve their character stats and league value, and easier recruitment of free agents. Off-season brings contract negotiations and dealings with the media that fully rounds the football player experience. Players interested in picking up this game should note that it only supports controllers.
3 Super Psycho Baseball
Sadistic and roguelike, Super Psycho Baseball invites players to answer the question: "What does baseball look like if it's just a 1v1 game against pitchers that really don't like the player?" What it looks like is a low poly baseball game where the player's only objective is to not get struck out. While the premise seems simple, hitting the ball takes practice and good timing. Predictably, this simple goal of left-clicking on time gets harder with every level.
The chirps from the pitchers also hit harder. Part of what makes the game work are the colorful pitchers players are pitted against. Pitchy, Piney, Harry, Cola Man, and the secret final boss all have unique personalities they're more than willing to use to throw the player out of focus.
2 TRYP FPV : The Drone Racer Simulator
Racing enthusiasts love TRYP even if it flew under the radar during its initial release. By its nature, it offers a different kind of racing, as players blast through checkpoints in dizzying speeds. Though some feel its controls are "floatier" than other sims, its control schemes allow even beginner FPV drone pilots to take flight and get some practice in.
It's also hard to ignore how gorgeous this game is. Each map is intricately detailed and full of gorgeous terrain that make it a treat to explore. However, players never get lost, as the game has a smart minimap and world map they can use to keep track of objectives.
1 Motocross: Chasing The Dream
This offroad racing game is more than its stunning skybox and lighting effects. Motocross: Chasing the Dream features physics evidently created by real-life racers, judging by the handling, suspension, tuck and ruts of every bike. The hang time and weight of the bike in the air can feel like a bit too free at times, but this lends a bit of fun to tricking.
Some gamers may feel like the learning curve is too steep at times, but the game firmly leans into an arcade-style game. And because of the responsive development team, every update brings good tweaks to its controls and physics.