Watching sports is good, but what if you could control the game unfolding on your TV? Let’s look at the best sports games you can play on Xbox from the comfort of your couch.

1. Forza Motorsport (2023)

Microsoft’s answer to Gran Turismo 7 on the PlayStation, the latest Forza Motorsport, is a soft reboot of the franchise since the previous game was Forza Motorsport 7.

With a fresh start and some fresh news ideas, this is without a doubt the best “simcade” racing game on Xbox. Gorgeous graphics, a huge variety of racing disciplines, and pulse-pounding action make it a competitor for your home racing setup.

Like so many games these days, Forza Motorsport launched in rough shape, but the developers have been working nonstop since release to polish it up. Even better, the game is a platform they intend to build, so expect years of upgrades and new content to keep you coming back. The base game is available on Xbox Game Pass so you can try it for little or no money.

2. Madden NFL 24

There is no brand of American Football game more famous than Madden. The game series started in 1988 with John Madden Football and has simply gone from strength to strength since.

As with these yearly sports game releases, you won’t find anything too dramatic compared to the previous few games. Still, the new SAPIEN technology exclusive to the Xbox Series X and S version of the game pushes the realism of player simulation to the next level. In addition, numerous AI tweaks and simulation improvements rely on the processing power of current-generation Xbox consoles. If you only have an Xbox One or One X, you won’t benefit from any of that, so we only recommend this game to owners of the latest Xbox systems, but if that’s you, you’re in for a treat.

3. NBA 24K

There are a few caveats to mention when it comes to the NBA 2K series of games. Undoubtedly, there have been a few fantastic entries in the series, but in the last few years, the NBA games have faced criticisms based on their monetization schemes. We can acknowledge that those microtransactions suck, quite frankly. At the same time, they can be ignored (if you have the necessary self-control), and what’s left is a fantastic basketball simulation using the latest video game technology. It’s well worth a try if you’re looking for virtual basketball and is a worthy successor to NBA 2K23.

4. EA Sports FC 24

The seminal Soccer game has been slightly rebranded since the partnership between FIFA and Electronic Arts ended many years ago. However, the beloved English footie game has garnered a massive following over the years.

The game features the same HyperMotion V introduced with FIFA 22 and improves player realism and animation on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles. New to FC 24 are PlayStyles, which give individual players on the field unique abilities and characteristics.

If you like the other football and have a current-generation Xbox, FC 24 must be on your list.

5. EA Sports PGA Tour

Golf may not be the most exciting sport, but actually playing it is a blast, and EA Sports PGA Tour continues the hallowed tradition of converting golf into relaxing gameplay. There was a near-decade gap in the series, with the last PGA Tour golf game released in 2015, so EA has had a lot of time to get it right.

The game launched with 30 courses and numerous playable real-world golfers. The simulation aspects of the game are more refined than ever, it looks incredible, and there’s a ton of seasonal content for those who want to immerse themselves in the world of golfing. There are various difficulty options and plenty of online gaming potential. So grab that golf club and get ready to sink some balls.

6. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2

If you were gaming in the 90s during the original PlayStation era, there’s little chance you don’t know Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games. Even decades later, the first two entries in the series are still some of the best arcade-style skateboarding games in history. So, it’s no surprise that this masterful remake of both games was a hit with both critics and players.

Whether you’re nostalgic for the classics or are brand new to the awesomeness that’s Pro Skater, this is a must-own title. It has no concerns with realism in the vein of the Skate games, but instead is challenging arcade fun that perfectly captures the spirit (if not the physics) of real-world skating.

7. NHL 24

The NHL series of games have been stuck in a bit of a rut for the last few years, but NHL 24 breaks that streak of small iterative changes every year and brings some fresh ideas to the franchise.

For example, the new Sustained Pressure System gives the offensive team bonuses when they stay in the attack zone for long enough. However, their stamina will run out faster, giving matches a real sense or nail-biting urgency.

There’s also a new physics system that better simulates body contact and tackles. The sense of weight and momentum is much improved, and you could be forgiven for mistaking this for footage of real players skating on ice and banging into each other. If you’re all about the drama of the ice rink, NHL 24 is definitely up your alley.

8. WWE 2K23

Pro Wrestling might not be “real” in the sense that there’s a real competition going on, but the performers are real athletes, and the stories are entertaining. However, a video game from the WWE ironically becomes a real battle, with your skill as a player determining who wins.

It’s got the awesome “MyRise” career mode and a minute-to-minute combat system that feels intuitive and streamlined. Player characters have special moves that are part of the “payback” system. There are numerous game modes to choose from apart from the main career modes, some of which are pretty open-ended. The WWE games have had some ups and downs, with a turnaround with WWE 2K22. This game builds on that foundation and refines, perfects, and expands what players can do.

9. EA Sports UFC 5

Mixed martial arts has exploded in popularity to rival established combat sports like boxing. It’s almost impossible to believe we’re already on the fifth UFC game, but it’s true!

Simulating a complex sport like mixed martial arts is no easy feat, and UFC 5 deftly walks the line between a sim and a more arcadey fighting game. However, this is the first game in the series to carry a mature rating, which means the violence level has been turned up a notch. Wounds bleed, injuries are visible, and it really shows you the actual pain and violence of MMA.

Your fighter can suffer from injuries that damage their stats and abilities, such as having vision problems or reduced stamina. This brings home the stakes of MMA. UFC 4 already had a more primitive version of this system, but now it’s both visceral and easier to understand.

10. Rocket League

While the debate over whether eSports are “real” sports will likely go on forever, Rocket League adds more confusion by being a new sport (car soccer), being an eSport, and real-world Rocket League has existed long before the game came out, so it might have inspiration from real life despite how fantastical it is.

Either way, Rocket League is a blast to play. The online modes are filled with extremely skilled players who can pull off moves that seem impossible. The game is being updated constantly and now also includes a basketball mode. Even if you’re a more “normal” sports fan, Rocket League is worth at least a few matches in single-player mode to see if it grabs you. If so, braving multiplayer mode will open your eyes to the depth of this seemingly simple game.

11. MLB The Show 23

MLB the Show used to be a PlayStation exclusive, which makes sense given it’s published by Sony. However, through some legal and contractual shenanigans, MLB The Show 21 also arrived on the Xbox One and Xbox Series console, alongside the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. There’s even a Windows PC version!

So it has remained with MLB 23, and what’s widely considered to be the best baseball game ever can be found on Xbox, hopefully, for the foreseeable future. If you already own MLB 21 or 22, 23 isn’t a huge departure. However, if you’re buying for the first time, it’s the perfect place to enter the series.

One interesting addition to MLB 23 is the “Negro Leagues” mode, which tells the story of the segregated baseball league that ran alongside the MLB. It’s not only a great historical lesson about discrimination; it’s an interesting look at other ways baseball has been played. MLB 23 is worth checking out for this amazingly detailed gaming experience that tells a crucial story in sports history.

12. Riders Republic

Ubisoft’s Riders Republic is an open world sandbox style arcade extreme sports game that’s not quite like anything else out there. The game is a lot like the Forza Horizon open world formula, but instead of different types of cars, you’ll be strapped on a wingsuit, carving snow with a board, riding a bicycle, and even skiing. There’s some light RPG progression as well. You can level up, get better gear, customize, and try to do better at each discipline.

These are twelve of the best Xbox sports games you can play right now, and gamers can expect most of these titles to get more content and new versions every year. So, if you’re ready to be the ultimate team player, head over to Amazon or the Xbox online store and pick up the sports title that’s right for you.