From uncompromising simulators to lighthearted arcade-style games, there is so much for players to enjoy in the sports game genre regardless of their level of investment or dedication. With a full roster of hundreds of games, Xbox Game Pass now has games across all sorts of different sports and of every difficulty level.
Sports games can tend to be inaccessible to new players but, with so many great titles, there is guaranteed to be something to enjoy for any player who uses the Game Pass or is interested in signing up.
NBA LIVE 19
Although there is surprisingly little basketball content on the Game Pass, with this latest title from EA's rival to the NBA 2K franchise being the only basketball game on offer at the time of writing, NBA LIVE 19 is a game that will impress most sports fans. For serious basketball fans, it may be a little outdated, but the wealth of content on offer certainly makes up for that.
Though the NBA 2k series dominates the best basketball games rankings, this game has its advantages. The game gives a high degree of agency to the player, allowing them to create their own character and build their own team to take to the top of the game. Its gameplay keeps an authentic feel and the graphics luckily don't feel too dated at all, making for an enjoyable and comprehensive basketball simulator.
EA Sports UFC 4
The latest game in the MMA fighting series from 2020 is also the best addition so far, with the newer graphics meshing well with an intense and surprisingly sophisticated combat system to create a thoroughly entertaining experience. UFC 4 doesn't have the biggest roster of fighters, which may be a drawback for some MMA fans, but there aren't many games that can beat it for sheer fun.
The career mode brings the series more in line with other sports franchises, but the game also shines with the introduction of new online modes, which allow players to prove their fighting prowess against the world.
Lonely Mountains: Downhill
This simple mountain biking game is decidedly more of an arcade-like sports game experience than a simulator and it uses that to its benefit. With tight, intuitive controls, the player is able to explore a variety of idyllic landscapes and take in the low-stakes thrills of cycling. The game can be challenging as well, though, depending on the player's preference.
Instead of trying to copy other sports games, Lonely Mountains Downhill focuses on representing the best aspects of mountain biking in real life, including the freedom to explore and enjoy the environment that goes with it. By playing to its strengths, Lonely Mountains: Downhill is one of the best sports games despite the relative obscurity of the sport.
Windjammers 2
The sequel to the throwing disc game that became an unlikely arcade hit in 1994 is a ridiculously stylish arcade-type game that is well worth checking out for anyone with the Xbox Game Pass, even those with no previous interest in sports games. With a bunch of colorful new characters, hand-drawn graphics, and addictive gameplay, there's lots of good reason to check Windjammers 2 out.
The game is a little light on content compared to other games but the simplicity of the top-down, tennis-like gameplay means it's easy to lose hours just throwing discs back-and-forth between the AI opponents. The game was released in January of this year so this is still a great time to try it out.
Dodgeball Academia
Released on the Xbox Game Pass at launch, Dodgeball Academia sets itself apart in the world of sports games by including a lot of RPG elements to make for a fun and unique experience. Of course, Dodgeball Academia isn't for anyone looking for a dodgeball simulation game, with extremely simple gameplay, but it's tons of fun.
The story isn't particularly deep either, mostly providing a fun background to the energetic gameplay and funky original soundtrack. There is enough strategy required to beat tougher matchups to keep the player invested as the game continues, and that's what helps make the game such an addictive and joyful experience.
DiRT Rally 2.0
Within the sport game genre are tons of racing simulation games that put players' skills and reaction times to the test in the fastest cars from real motorsport. DiRT Rally 2.0 takes this to the next level with uncompromising gameplay and an emphasis on realistic physics that will satisfy even the most hardcore rally fans.
DiRT Rally 2.0 is one of the best racing games that aren't Mario Kart and includes a surprisingly wide variety of rally tracks to race on along with over 50 cars spanning the history of rally motorsport. For players on the lookout for an intense and realistic racing game on Game Pass, there aren't many better than this title.
Football Manager 2022 Xbox Edition
For sports fans that are more interested in the tactics and behind-the-scenes elements that go into competitive success, this comprehensive soccer management title may be the ideal game. Though the FIFA series remains one of the best sports franchises and will continue to dominate in popularity when it comes to soccer games, Football Manager offers something very different to players on the Game Pass.
For fans of micro-management games, the thrill of balancing all the different mechanics required to bring a club success in the soccer world is a big draw, while soccer fans will appreciate that this game is relatively up-to-date, as it's the latest edition in the series.
MLB The Show 21
Although baseball may seem like one of the more inaccessible sports to people who aren't already fans, and this game certainly does have a learning curve, MLB The Show 21 is nevertheless a game that almost anyone can get into. The game is largely a faithful baseball simulation but has three different modes with varying levels of intensity, including a more casual mode with presets for beginners.
The game is comprehensive enough to impress even serious fans though, with a huge amount of content on offer including new game modes to try out. Although it is rarely talked about as much, MLB The Show has developed into a sports franchise to rival FIFA and Madden for scale and level of polish.
F1 2020
It may already be outdated with the release of F1 2021 last year, but F1 2020 remains an amazing motorsport simulator and is the best motorsport game to get on Xbox Game Pass. The game is highly realistic in terms of both how cars feel to drive and in how it portrays the everyday operation of Formula 1 teams, even allowing the player to test out new car components and do specialist practice drives.
The game also features a return for split-screen multiplayer, giving players a fun way to compete with their friends, and has casual race options including the chance to drive classic Formula 1 cars as well as the modern editions.
Golf With Your Friends
Though golf perhaps isn't the sport most associated with raucous fun, that's exactly what Golf With Your Friends aims to bring as a multiplayer game that allows up to 12 players to compete with each other on fun and often absurd golf courses. Though other golf games are more suited to enthusiasts for the sport, Golf With Your Friends aims to please all players with 13 challenging levels to enjoy.
Though the game is best played with others, there is still fun to be had with it the rest of the time, with a level editor as well as custom levels to explore. As the title suggests though, the main draw of the game is in having a good time with friends, and when that's the case, no title on the Xbox Game Pass can match it for sheer fun.