- #1 Maximum Football
97% matchMixed63% of 1,302 reviews2025
Dev: Maximum Entertainment
Windows
Median: 54 minMean: 6.2 hrs≥1hr: 49%
Forge your legacy in Maximum Football, where you can play both college and pro football in one shared universe. Recruit the next college superstar and take them into the pros to become a future Hall of Famer. Build your team with unparalleled in-game customization that gives you ultimate control.
Why similar: Football (American) 52.5% ★, Sports 38.4%, Simulation 9.2%
Why You'll Like It: A modern, physics-based football simulation that provides a deep, customizable alternative to the Madden series.
- #2 Legend Bowl
96% matchVery Positive87% of 945 reviews2021
Dev: Super Pixel Games
Windows
Median: 2.1 hrsMean: 12.8 hrs≥1hr: 61%
Legend Bowl is a throwback to the classic 8-bit and 16-bit football games of the past. Take to the gridiron and fight your way to becoming a football legend! Enjoy sim-style gameplay, realistic weather, detailed stats, franchise mode, tournament mode, fully customizable rosters, and much much more!
Why similar: Football (American) 64.2% ★, Sports 25%, Simulation 6.9%, Strategy 3.9%
Why You'll Like It: It captures the classic feel of arcade-style football while maintaining surprisingly deep simulation mechanics and management features.
- #3 Axis Football 2026
96% matchMostly Positive75% of 96 reviews2025
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football 2026 is a complete American Football Simulation featuring fluid gameplay, endless customization, and the industry's best franchise mode.
Why similar: Football (American) 63% ★, Sports 23.4%, Simulation 9.1%, Strategy 4.6%
Why You'll Like It: This title offers a comprehensive simulation experience with a focus on deep franchise management and realistic on-field strategy.
- #4 Football Coach: College Dynasty
95% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 1,422 reviews2025
Dev: Coach Apps
Windows · Mac
A true college football management game. Play as a coach or a school, recruit players, develop your team, and compete for national championships. Build a college football dynasty and become a coaching legend!
Why similar: Football (American) 52.1% ★, Sports 33.2%, Simulation 12.7%, Strategy 2%
Why You'll Like It: This game focuses heavily on the strategic and management aspects of college football, perfect for players who enjoy the depth of franchise modes.
- #5 NBA 2K25
94% matchMixed59% of 42,427 reviews2024
Dev: Visual ConceptsPub: 2K
Windows
Median: 34.1 hrsMean: 99.0 hrs≥1hr: 95%
Command every court with authenticity and realism Powered by ProPLAY™, giving you ultimate control over how you play in NBA 2K25. Define your legacy in MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, and The W.
Why similar: Sports 75.4%, Simulation 24.6%
Why You'll Like It: A benchmark for sports simulations, offering extensive career and management modes that appeal to fans of Madden's deep franchise features.
- #6 Front Office Football Eight
94% matchVery Positive84% of 282 reviews2016
Dev: Solecismic Software
Windows
Put yourself in the Front Office with Front Office Football, the professional football simulation from Solecismic Software. Manage your roster through trading, free agency and the amateur draft. Create game plans, organize depth charts and watch your franchise thrive for decades.
Why similar: Sports 54.7%, Football (American) 39.4% ★, Simulation 5.9%
Why You'll Like It: This is a pure management simulation that offers unparalleled depth for players interested in the front-office side of professional football.
- #7 Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2025
93% matchMixed46% of 13 reviews2024
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2025 puts you in the role of general manager of your favorite football team. Every decision can be made by you from drafting, trading, signing free agents right down to creating and calling your own plays to lead your team to championship glory and becoming a dynasty.
Why similar: Football (American) 57.2% ★, Sports 27.9%, Simulation 9.8%, Strategy 5.1%
Why You'll Like It: A dedicated management simulator that allows you to control every aspect of a professional football organization without the arcade-style gameplay.
- #8 Mutant Football League
92% matchVery Positive93% of 852 reviews2017
Dev: Digital Dreams Entertainment
Windows
Median: 1.1 hrsMean: 64.9 hrs≥1hr: 54%
Mutants and monsters unleash maniacal carnage on the gridiron in this crazy gore fest of arcade-style football. Packed full of humor, intense online multiplayer action, and strategy.
Why similar: Football (American) 72.9% ★, Sports 27.1%
Why You'll Like It: It provides a fun, arcade-focused take on the sport with over-the-top violence and unique fantasy elements that still respect the core rules of football.
- #9 EA SPORTS FC™ 25
91% matchMixed53% of 104,583 reviews2024
Dev: EA CanadaPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 70.2 hrsMean: 148.2 hrs≥1hr: 97%
EA SPORTS FC™ 25 gives you more ways to win for the club. Team up with friends in your favourite modes with the new 5v5 Rush, and manage your club to victory as FC IQ delivers more tactical control than ever before.
Why similar: Sports 58.3%, Competitive 26.9% ★, Simulation 14.9%
Why You'll Like It: This title offers a similar annual sports simulation experience with high-quality presentation and robust competitive multiplayer modes.
- #10 Super Mega Baseball™ 4
90% matchMostly Positive78% of 1,325 reviews2023
Dev: Metalhead Software Inc.Pub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 27.6 hrs≥1hr: 68%
Super Mega Baseball™ 4 is where the Legends play. The signature combo of arcade-inspired style and immersive gameplay returns with over 200 baseball Legends and a grand slam of presentation upgrades.
Why similar: Sports 75.4%, Simulation 24.6%
Why You'll Like It: While stylized, it features incredibly tight gameplay mechanics and deep team management that rival the best simulation titles.
- #11 TopSpin 2K25
89% matchMixed53% of 3,921 reviews2024
Dev: Hangar 13Pub: 2K Games
Windows
Median: 7.5 hrsMean: 27.6 hrs≥1hr: 80%
TopSpin 2K25 returns as a next-level tennis sim, bringing realistic court physics and challenging skill-based gameplay. Play single or multiplayer locally or online. Build your MyPLAYER or play as icons like Roger Federer and Serena Williams with custom animations mirroring their real-life styles.
Why similar: Sports 79%, Simulation 21%
Why You'll Like It: It provides a deep, skill-based sports simulation experience that rewards tactical positioning and precise timing similar to Madden's gameplay.
- #12 Tennis Elbow 4
84% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 952 reviews2026
Dev: Mana Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 7.2 hrsMean: 25.2 hrs≥1hr: 75%
Created by and for tennis fans, Tennis Elbow 4 is a true tennis simulation built around anticipation, positioning and risk management. Easy to start, demanding to master, it delivers exceptional gameplay depth and long-term progression.
Why similar: Sports 73.1%, Simulation 26.9%
Why You'll Like It: Known for its incredibly realistic physics and gameplay, it is a must-play for fans who prioritize simulation accuracy above all else.
- #13 Axis Football 2021
85% matchMixed63% of 139 reviews2021
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football is a simulation-style football game featuring the industry's best franchise mode, massive customization, and realistic gameplay.
Why similar: Football (American) 52.4% ★, Sports 31.8%, Simulation 10.7%, Strategy 5.1%
Why You'll Like It: An earlier entry in the Axis series that provides a solid foundation for simulation-focused football fans on a budget.
- #14 Blood Bowl 3
84% matchMixed49% of 5,516 reviews2023
Dev: Cyanide StudioPub: Nacon
Windows
Median: 5.9 hrsMean: 51.8 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Brutal, crazy, tactical… this is BLOOD BOWL! The iconic death sport returns with the new video game of fantasy football faithfully using the latest board game rules and new content. Create your team, then crush, mulch and cheat your way to the top... leaving your opponents in the graveyard.
Why similar: Sports 81.1%, Strategy 18.9%
Why You'll Like It: A tactical, turn-based strategy game that translates the rules of football into a fantasy setting, perfect for those who enjoy the strategic side of the sport.
- #15 Cricket 24
81% matchMostly Positive80% of 2,405 reviews2023
Dev: Big Ant StudiosPub: Nacon
Windows
Cricket 24 is the culmination of a decade of Cricket video game development and includes teams from every corner of the globe.
Why similar: Sports 88.1%, Simulation 11.9%
Why You'll Like It: A comprehensive cricket simulation that provides the same level of tactical depth and competitive multiplayer found in other major sports titles.
- #16 Axis Football 2020
83% matchMixed67% of 178 reviews2020
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football features football gaming's deepest Franchise Mode and massively improved simulation-style gameplay.
Why similar: Football (American) 54.6% ★, Sports 30.6%, Simulation 10%, Strategy 4.9%
Why You'll Like It: This title offers a classic look at the series' development, focusing on core football mechanics and management.
- #17 Super Mega Baseball 3
82% matchVery Positive91% of 2,088 reviews2020
Dev: Metalhead Software Inc.Pub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 5.6 hrsMean: 49.7 hrs≥1hr: 66%
Run up the score in a relaxed slugfest or push the limits of your reflexes in this refined baseball simulator. The third entry in the series features all-new Franchise and Online Leagues modes, major graphical enhancements, and on-field additions including pickoffs and situational player traits.
Why similar: Sports 44.5%, Competitive 42% ★, Simulation 13.4%
Why You'll Like It: A highly polished baseball simulation that offers a great balance of accessibility and depth for sports gaming enthusiasts.
- #18 EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 25
81% matchMixed56% of 5,089 reviews2024
Dev: TiburonPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 24.2 hrsMean: 70.4 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Hit like you mean it with FieldSENSE™ powered by BOOM Tech. Experience how the new physics-informed dynamic tackling system unlocks realistic collisions & new gameplay animations on both sides of the ball.
Why similar: Football (American) 57.4% ★, Sports 18.4%, Simulation 10.9%, Competitive 8.4% ★, Strategy 4.9%
- #19 NBA 2K26
79% matchMixed66% of 18,088 reviews2025
Dev: Visual ConceptsPub: 2K
Windows
Median: 33.6 hrsMean: 84.1 hrs≥1hr: 97%
Bragging rights are on the line in MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, The W, and Play Now. Showcase your bag of moves with hyper realism, Powered by ProPLAY™, and challenge your friends, or rivals, in NBA 2K26’s competitive modes—and leave no doubt that you wear the crown.
Why similar: Sports 81.8%, Simulation 18.2%
- #20 Football Manager 26
76% matchMostly Negative32% of 30,190 reviews2025
Dev: Sports InteractivePub: SEGA
Windows · Mac
Median: 56.1 hrsMean: 110.5 hrs≥1hr: 96%
Step into the dugout and experience the future of football management.
Why similar: Sports 64.7%, Simulation 23.8%, Strategy 11.5%
- #21 EA SPORTS FC™ 26
74% matchMixed46% of 54,515 reviews2025
Dev: EA CanadaPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 44.9 hrsMean: 91.4 hrs≥1hr: 97%
The Club is Yours in EA SPORTS FC™ 26. Play your way with an overhauled gameplay experience powered by community feedback, Manager Live Challenges that bring fresh storylines to the new season, and Archetypes inspired by greats of the game.
Why similar: Sports 43.5%, Competitive 40.6% ★, Simulation 15.9%
- #22 Axis Football 2016
77% matchMostly Positive75% of 125 reviews2016
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 4.4 hrs≥1hr: 96%
Axis Football is a an American football simulation featuring innovative aimed passing and massive customization.
Why similar: Football (American) 42.9% ★, Sports 41.4%, Simulation 12.8%, Strategy 2.9%
- #23 Axis Football 2017
76% matchMixed64% of 171 reviews2017
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football is an American football simulation featuring massive customization and a complete franchise mode
Why similar: Football (American) 72.3% ★, Sports 18.8%, Simulation 7%, Strategy 1.9%
- #24 MLB 9 Innings Rivals 26
71% matchMostly Positive78% of 1,351 reviews2025
Dev: Com2uS
Windows
Median: 1.2 hrsMean: 38.6 hrs≥1hr: 54%
Take your rivalries to the next level in MLB 9 Innings Rivals 26!
Why similar: Sports 60.4%, Competitive 26.8% ★, Simulation 12.8%
- #25 Axis Football 2015
73% matchMixed69% of 381 reviews2015
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.6 hrsMean: 6.1 hrs≥1hr: 98%
Axis Football is a 3D American Football Simulation Game that features a unique aimed passing system. Play in a single match, season mode, or local multiplayer! Offers basic mod support for team rosters.
Why similar: Football (American) 66.6% ★, Sports 31.3%, Strategy 2.1%
- #26 Axis Football 2023
71% matchMostly Positive78% of 269 reviews2022
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football is a simulation-style football game featuring the industry's best franchise mode, massive customization, and realistic gameplay.
Why similar: Football (American) 52.1% ★, Sports 31.8%, Simulation 10.6%, Strategy 5.6%
- #27 WWE 2K26
68% matchMixed50% of 1,797 reviews2026
Dev: Visual ConceptsPub: 2K
Windows
Median: 20.9 hrsMean: 29.1 hrs≥1hr: 98%
The show never stops in WWE 2K26! Step into CM Punk’s 2K Showcase, dominate with 400+ Superstars and Legends, and unleash chaos with all-new match types.
Why similar: Sports 71.3%, Simulation 28.7%
- #28 Axis Football 2024
70% matchMostly Positive71% of 210 reviews2023
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football is a simulation-style football game featuring the industry's best franchise mode, massive customization, and realistic gameplay.
Why similar: Football (American) 53.5% ★, Sports 29.6%, Simulation 11.2%, Strategy 5.8%
- #29 WWE 2K25
67% matchMixed69% of 6,339 reviews2025
Dev: Visual ConceptsPub: 2K
Windows
Median: 11.3 hrsMean: 44.8 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Celebrate The Bloodline in Showcase. Compete online in MyGM. Expanded gameplay includes intergender wrestling, chain wrestling, barricade diving, the return of Promos + much more!
Why similar: Sports 72.3%, Simulation 27.7%
- #30 Pro Strategy Football 2021
69% matchVery Positive87% of 111 reviews2020
Dev: Kerry BattsPub: Pro Strategy Games
Windows · Mac
[NOT THE LATEST VERSION!! See Pro Strategy Football 2022]
Why similar: Football (American) 62.6% ★, Sports 23.6%, Simulation 9%, Strategy 4.7%
- #31 Sunday Rivals
68% matchVery Positive91% of 310 reviews2022
Dev: 26k
Windows
Easy to pickup, hard hitting, fully customizable arcade football is back with Sunday Rivals! Battle high-octane offenses and bone crushing tacklers in the harshest weather conditions to bring home championship glory!
Why similar: Football (American) 68.4% ★, Sports 22.2%, Simulation 9.4%
- #32 Doug Flutie's Maximum Football 2020
70% matchMixed52% of 73 reviews2020
Dev: Canuck Play Inc
Windows
Achieve Gridiron Greatness as Doug Flutie and Maximum Football 2020, bring you the ultimate football sandbox.
Why similar: Football (American) 58.1% ★, Sports 34.9%, Simulation 7%
- #33 Axis Football 2019
70% matchMixed69% of 117 reviews2019
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football is an American football simulation featuring immersive gameplay, a deep franchise mode, and extensive customization.
Why similar: Sports 44%, Football (American) 33.6% ★, Simulation 16.4%, Strategy 6%
- #34 PRO ERA
68% matchMixed65% of 155 reviews2022
Dev: StatusPRO Inc
Windows
Lead your team to a Super Bowl, improve your QB skills by participating in drills, or play catch virtually with your friends in your favorite NFL stadium. As a NFL QB you’ll feel the excitement of what it’s like to compete under the bright lights with thousands of screaming fans.
Why similar: Football (American) 64.8% ★, Sports 20.3%, Simulation 14.8%
- #35 FIFA 22
66% matchVery Positive81% of 120,504 reviews2021
Dev: EA Canada & EA RomaniaPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 83.8 hrsMean: 194.2 hrs≥1hr: 96%
Powered by Football™, EA SPORTS™ FIFA 22 brings the game even closer to the real thing with fundamental gameplay advances and a new season of innovation across every mode.
Why similar: Sports 46.7%, Competitive 39.4% ★, Simulation 13.8%
- #36 AFL 26
66% matchMixed56% of 173 reviews2025
Dev: Big Ant StudiosPub: Nacon
Windows
Get ready for the future of footy with AFL 26. Feel every hit, hear every roar, and live every moment with unmatched authenticity and intensity.
Why similar: Sports 80.9%, Simulation 19.1%
- #37 Football Simulator
66% matchMostly Positive80% of 904 reviews2022
Dev: Refactor Games
Windows
Step onto the gridiron with Football Simulator and experience the most dynamic and physics-driven football game ever made. Break through tackles, juggle tipped passes, and dive for interceptions to lead your team to victory. Features a fully moddable environment.
Why similar: Football (American) 66.1% ★, Sports 24.9%, Simulation 9%
- #38 Undisputed
65% matchMixed60% of 21,826 reviews2024
Dev: Steel City InteractivePub: Deep Silver
Windows
Median: 14.6 hrsMean: 48.5 hrs≥1hr: 95%
Become Undisputed in the most authentic boxing game to date! Featuring true to life visuals, bone-jarring action, and more licensed boxers than ever before, Undisputed gives you unprecedented control to master every inch of the ring.
Why similar: Sports 75.2%, Simulation 24.8%
