EA Sports Sports games have been part of gaming since the very beginning – Pong in 1972 was essentially a stripped-back game of tennis. From there we’ve had Sensible Soccer, NFL Blitz, and College Football, with each generation bringing new classics. But we’re not here to wallow in nostalgia. I love ISS Pro Evolution Soccer 2, but if I want to play football with my mates today, I want a modern game with updated rosters, authentic kits, and current stars.
It’s true that sports games aren’t as critically acclaimed as they once were. In the 2000s, annual releases like Madden NFL were packed with big new features every year, while microtransactions hadn’t taken over. These days, Ultimate Team packs and season passes take the spotlight, but as technology improves, so do the games themselves. Modern sports and motorsport titles have never looked, sounded, or played better, and the best ones still capture the thrill of the real thing.
This list is about right now – the best sport and motorsport games worth your time in 2025. And when we say sports, we mean actual sports. No pro wrestling (sorry WWE), no football with rocket-powered cars (looking at you, Rocket League), and no tubby plumbers with a tennis racket. Just the best ways to play real sports, whether that’s on a pitch, a track, or from the dugout as a manager.
15. Madden NFL 25
EA Sports- Release date: August 16, 2024
- Publisher: EA Sports
- Format: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, PS4, Xbox One
What is it? Madden NFL 25 builds on its FieldSENSE foundation with the new BOOM Tech physics system, introducing more realistic, dynamic tackles that take into account player weight, momentum, and hit power. It also features improved blocking AI and ball carrier balance, along with an updated Hit Stick mechanic. Superstar Mode returns, allowing you to create a custom player and guide them from rookie to Hall of Fame. Franchise Mode offers team management with expanded scouting systems.
Why you should play it: While it does not quite hit the highs of the 2000s glory years when Madden was racking up higher review scores thanks to big new features like the Hit Stick and QB Vision, this is one of the strongest modern games. The new BOOM Tech system brings more realistic, varied tackles and improved physics to every play. Smarter blocking AI keeps drives alive, while enhanced ball carrier control and player reads make matches feel more dynamic and less predictable. Presentation and commentary still lack some spark, and certain modes haven’t evolved as much as they could, but the core gameplay is sharp, fast, and satisfying.
14. MXGP 2021
- Release date: November 30, 2021
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, PS4, Xbox One
- Multiplayer: Yes
What is it? The official motocross game of the FIM World Championship includes every rider, bike, and track from the 2021 season. A detailed track editor lets you create your own circuits, while Career Mode takes you from MX2 to the MXGP elite with team contracts, sponsorship deals, and rivalries to manage. Races demand control over throttle, weight shifting, and braking as you battle through mud, jumps, and ruts that can change your line in an instant.
Why you should play it: MXGP 2021 captures the feel of motocross racing, from the jolt as you clear a jump to the back wheel skipping on wet dirt. The physics strike a satisfying balance between realism and accessibility, and the track editor keeps the experience fresh once you have mastered the official circuits. Later entries brought visual upgrades, but this release stands out for its blend of handling and fun.
13. EA UFC 5
EA Sports- Release date: October 27, 2023
- Publisher: EA Sports
- Formats: PS5, Xbox Series X/S
What is it? The latest UFC game sharpens striking with improved hit reactions and reworked clinch controls, while the ground game offers more tactical choices when transitioning or defending submissions. Career Mode now features branching storylines shaped by rivalries, media interactions, and performance in the Octagon. Online play adds new ranked divisions and skill-based matchmaking.
Why you should play it: This is the most complete UFC package to date, with striking that feels heavy and satisfying and grappling that rewards patience and smart positioning. The improved Career Mode makes each fighter’s path feel different, and the presentation captures the atmosphere of a live UFC event. Online matchmaking can still feel uneven, but when the fights are close, the tension is unmatched.
12. iRacing
- Release date: 2008 (continually updated)
- Publisher: iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations
- Formats: PC
What is it? iRacing is a subscription-based racing simulator that uses laser-scanned versions of real-world tracks and officially licensed cars from series like NASCAR, IndyCar, and GT racing. Structured around a licence and ranking system, it organises competitive online events that mirror real motorsport seasons.
Why you should play it: It can be expensive on a monthly basis, but no other sim matches iRacing for authenticity and organised online competition. The tracks feel identical to their real-life counterparts, and the ranking system means you are usually matched with drivers of similar skill. It demands a good wheel and pedal setup, but if you want the closest experience to real motorsport from your desk, this is it.
11. MotoGP 25
- Release date: April 30, 2025
- Publisher: Milestone
- Formats: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, PS4, Xbox One
What is it? The official MotoGP game for the 2025 season includes all riders, bikes, and circuits from Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP. Its neural AI adapts to your racing style, learning how you brake, accelerate, and take corners, and adjusting rivals’ behaviour accordingly. Career Mode lets you sign with real teams or create your own, developing your bike over multiple seasons.
Why you should play it: The adaptive AI keeps races competitive and unpredictable, while the handling model captures the thrilling feeling of threading a MotoGP bike through a fast chicane. Bike development adds strategy between races and although it is demanding to master, that is part of its appeal for fans of the sport.
10. NBA 2K25
2K Games- Release date: September 6, 2024
- Publisher: 2K Sports
- Formats: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
What is it? The latest in basketball’s premier video game series uses ProPLAY technology to replicate real NBA footage and movement in-game, powering dribbling, shooting, passing, and defensive animations for added realism. MyCareer lets you guide a player through the NBA, making decisions on and off the court, while MyTeam has you build a squad from current and historic players. Gameplay tweaks focus on more realistic shooting percentages, improved passing animations, and smarter defensive rotations.
Why you should play it: On-court action in NBA 2K25 is the most authentic yet, with shooting mechanics that reward timing and positioning, dribbling that feels natural and fluid, and passing that is sharp and purposeful. MyCareer’s off-court choices make your journey feel personal, and while MyTeam still leans heavily on microtransactions, it is still an incredibly involving experience. For basketball fans, nothing else comes close.
9. FIFA 22
EA- Release date: October 1, 2021
- Publisher: EA Sports
- Formats: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch (Legacy Edition), PS4, Xbox One
What is it? FIFA 22 introduced HyperMotion technology on current generation consoles, using full-match motion capture to add over 4,000 new animations. Passing, shooting, and tackles all benefit from more natural movement, while Career Mode gained the custom club feature, allowing you to create a team from scratch with your own badge, kit, and stadium and place it into any league.
Why you should play it: FIFA 22 offered the most fluid player movement the series had seen up to that point, with HyperMotion giving matches a much more lifelike flow. The custom club option was also one of the best additions to Career Mode in years, making long-term saves more personal and rewarding. Ultimate Team still asks you to grind for top-tier cards, but the on-pitch gameplay is still fantastically responsive.
8. Assetto Corsa Competizione
- Release date: May 29, 2019 (current-gen upgrade 2022)
- Publisher: 505 Games / Kunos Simulazioni
- Formats: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, PS4, Xbox One
What is it? The official game of the GT World Challenge focuses exclusively on GT3 and GT4 racing. Every track is laser-scanned, and the simulation covers tyre wear, fuel loads, and weather conditions that can change mid-race.
Why you should play it: ACC is unmatched for GT racing realism, with handling that makes every corner a test of precision and patience. The dynamic weather adds tension to endurance events, and the official licences help the presentation feel like a real motorsport broadcast. If you are into GT racing, this is the definitive choice.
7. F1 Manager 2024
Frontier Developments- Release date: July 23, 2024
- Publisher: Frontier Developments
- Formats: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
What is it? A full Formula 1 management simulation where you control a team from the pit wall. You hire drivers and staff, develop the car, manage budgets, and make race-day strategy calls. New mental attributes and driver personality systems affect performance over the season, adding depth to long-term planning, while the new Create A Team mode lets you design your own F1 outfit from scratch and lead it into competition.
Why you should play it: If you prefer to run a race from the garage rather than the cockpit, F1 Manager 2024 is as close as it gets to the real thing. Strategic calls on tyre changes, fuel loads, and pace can win or lose races, and the improved driver AI means your plans actually play out realistically on track. The addition of Create A Team gives returning players a fresh challenge, too.
6. WRC 9
- Release date: September 3, 2020
- Publisher: Nacon
- Formats: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
What is it? The official World Rally Championship game features all cars, drivers, and stages from the 2020 season, plus the return of the Japan rally. The handling model is precise and responsive, with dynamic weather and time-of-day changes that transform stages mid-run. Career Mode has you managing your team.
Why you should play it: For many fans, WRC 9 remains the peak of the series. The Japan stages are a highlight, demanding absolute concentration through narrow, twisting roads. Later entries added more content, but none match the sharpness of the handling here, making it the purest rally experience available.
5. Football Manager 2022
Sports Interactive- Release date: November 8, 2021
- Publisher: SEGA / Sports Interactive
- Formats: PC, Mac, Switch, iOS, Android
What is it? The leading football management simulation where you control every aspect of running a club, from tactics and training to scouting and transfers. This edition introduced a revamped data hub, improved match engine animations, and a more realistic transfer market.
Why you should play it: FM22 strikes a balance between accessibility and depth, with tactical tools that let you play your way and data analysis that gives real insight into your team’s performance. The improved match engine makes watching games more rewarding, and the transfer AI is smart enough to keep every save feeling fresh.
4. PGA Tour 2K25
2K Sports- Release date: February 28, 2025
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S
- Multiplayer: Yes
What is it? This year’s edition adds licensed courses like Pinehurst No. 2 and Valhalla, as well as pros such as Rory McIlroy and Nelly Korda. MyCareer lets you rise through the ranks, improving your skills and equipment, while online societies give players custom tournaments and seasons to compete in.
Why you should play it? The licensed courses are recreated with stunning accuracy, and the MyCareer progression strikes a satisfying balance between challenge and reward. Online societies keep competition fresh with user-made events, and the shot system rewards planning as much as execution. It remains the best way to play a realistic round of golf at home.
3. MLB The Show 25
San Diego Studio- Release date: March 18, 2025
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Formats: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
What is it? The latest in the long-running baseball sim refines fielding animations, adds new pitcher-batter duels, and expands the presentation with more commentary and broadcast angles. Road to the Show lets you build a player’s career from the minors to the majors, while Diamond Dynasty offers a card-based team-building mode.
Why you should play it: The core gameplay is precise and satisfying, with every pitch, swing, and catch feeling weighty and deliberate. Road to the Show remains one of the most compelling career modes in any sports game, and the presentation captures the pace and atmosphere of a live MLB broadcast.
2. F1 2021
Codemasters- Release date: July 16, 2021
- Publisher: EA Sports / Codemasters
- Formats: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
What is it? The official Formula 1 game of the 2021 season, featuring the Braking Point story mode alongside the traditional career and online modes. Handling is precise yet accessible, with a focus on making cornering and braking feel natural whether using a pad or a wheel.
Why you should play it: The Braking Point mode is a standout addition, giving the sport a dramatic, narrative-driven edge. Handling strikes the ideal balance between realism and approachability, and the Career Mode’s team management elements add depth beyond racing.
1. EA Sports College Football 25
EA Sports- Release date: July 19, 2024
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S,
- Multiplayer: Yes
What is it? The long-awaited return of EA’s college football series after more than a decade away. It includes over 130 schools, authentic stadiums, and the pageantry of college football Saturdays. Dynasty Mode lets you recruit players and build a program over multiple seasons, while Road to Glory follows a single player’s career.
Why you should play it: College football has a faster, more unpredictable style than the NFL, and College Football 25 captures that energy. The variety of playbooks, unique rivalries, and noisy student sections make it feel distinct from Madden. After such a long hiatus, its return is a major event for fans.
Now that you’ve got a whole stack of great sports games to hop into, if you’re not cramping up yet, you can also take a look at our lists of the best co-op games of all time and the best RPGs ever. Or, for something more modern, check out the best games of 2025 so far across all genres.
