The WoW Style

From FIFA 22 to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, sports video games have evolved to the point where they feature the biggest stars and licenses, thrilling and intricate gameplay, and cutting-edge graphics. 

While major releases are always going to grab the headlines, there are plenty of sports-related games available that suit all tastes and situations. In fact, all you need is a suitable device and internet connection to play a wide range of sports titles. 

Do you want to kill ten minutes while at work? Perhaps you’re searching for an in-depth sim to plunge countless hours into? Whatever the situation, here are seven types of online sports games you should play. These different types of games offer different experiences but all the same level of fun. 

Fantasy Baseball Games

Fantasy baseball games have been enjoyed by baseball fans for decades, and one of the best games to try out is Diamond Mind Online. This baseball sim is highly rated in terms of stats, depth, and creating the most realistic game of its kind. 

This popular baseball manager game has taken the action to the next level. With Diamond Mind Online, you’re not restricted to playing on your own. Now you join a diverse community, competing against real-life baseball enthusiasts in an attempt to win whatever tournaments and leagues you join. Of course, you still get everything that has made Diamond Mind such a popular baseball sim in the first place. As a team owner, you first draft your dream team, and “dream team” is the right two words to use. There are over 18,000 players to choose from, all taken throughout history. Ted Williams, Cy Young, Willie Mays, Darryl Strawberry – whoever you can think of for your team, you can add them. Just keep in mind: you have to stick to your team budget and salary cap. 

Once you have set your tactics, accounted for weather conditions, and analyzed your opponents, it’s time to sit back and enjoy. Games take place three times a day, and you can follow the action with Diamond Mind Online’s detailed and unique play-by-play system. While it’s not one for casual observers, the game is an ideal pick for baseball devotees. 

Pool Games

Pool games are enjoyed by millions of people across the globe, which means you don’t have to wait long to find a game against another user. Games like this offer tournaments, the ability to add friends, and leaderboards to keep track of the best local and worldwide performers. The great thing about playing pool is that it is simple but effective gameplay, and many of the games out there are free. 

While these are simplistic enough on the surface that anyone can get stuck in without any issue, the games have a level of depth that keeps players coming back for more. For instance, it’s not unusual to come across accounts with tens of thousands of racks played under their belts. 

Mini-games

Mini-games are a great way to get a short burst of dopamine. Don’t know what mini-game to try? Google Doodle’s are always a popular mini sports game to try. These Doodle’s provide a temporary yet special alteration to the Google logo when you visit the search engine’s homepage. They typically commemorate events, historical figures, holidays, and achievements, usually with an eye-catching image or video. Yet on certain occasions, these commemorations are done with a game of some sort. The PAC-MAN Doodle is a popular example. 

For the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Google Doodle was taken to a level never before seen. Titled “Doodle Champion Island Games”, the game contains seven different sports-themed mini-games, including table tennis, archery, and skateboarding. Each one is simple with fun mechanics.

However, simply mentioning these mini-games is underselling the quality and polish of Island Games. This Doodle has the production values of a big-budget indie game. Charming pixel graphics, animated cutscenes made by the acclaimed Studio 4°C, the role-playing elements in between the mini-games, an engaging storyline – these aspects are beyond the norm for most browser-based titles.

Boxing Video Games

When you think of boxing video games, your mind is likely transported to a thrilling, all-action type of experience. Think Fight Night Champion, Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions, or even Punch-Out!! on the NES. However, boxing games can be a lot more strategic and slower-paced than you may imagine. 

This is the case with certain games that offer detail, depth, and enjoyment. Some games will revolve around the sole task of running a boxing promotion. You sign fighters, stage shows, secure TV deals, scout for the latest pugilistic superstars, and so on. Trying to make a profit on your events is difficult, while the challenge of guiding your boxers to world titles is an even bigger obstacle to overcome. Yet, that challenge is an addicting one, and the feeling of going from the bottom to the top is certainly satisfying.

Of course, there are other titles out there that have greater polish and aesthetics to draw you in than others, and there are plenty of other options out there. The choice is yours for what game you specifically select. Some of these are free, and others are community-based sim games. With games like this, you get the chance to compete against other promoters, collaborate on plans such as fighter trades, and discuss everything with other players via in-game community areas. 

MMA Simulation Games

If you’re more of a mixed martial arts fan than a boxing one, don’t worry. There are plenty of MMA simulation games also available to play via your browser. One of the most popular and well-rounded is MMA Tycoon. 

As with the aforementioned, you have to build up a stable of fighters, booking them in bouts against other user-controlled combatants. That’s right: this is also an online multiplayer game with a thriving community and, to achieve success, you have to outthink the opposition and put together a successful game plan. Although you may decide to go an alternative path and form a fruitful alliance with a rival – the choice is yours. 

Due to being around for years and receiving monthly updates, MMA simulation games have a lot to offer to players. Aside from training up fighters and matching them against others in games like this, you also have the opportunity to become a successful business tycoon. Along with starting a fight organization, you can also open up everything from a nutrition business to a clothing company.

Wrestling Games 

You might question the validity of professional wrestling being part of a “sports” game list, but you cannot question the fact there are many high-quality games based around the subject. For PC players, old-school wrestling fans likely have fond memories of playing the original Extreme Warfare Revenge. The good news is there are various modern-day equivalents of that text-based wrestling sim. 

One such equivalent is Journey of Wrestling. Unlike other simulators on the market, this one is notable for its accessibility. There’s depth to the gameplay, sure, but it’s also not going to overwhelm you with a scary number of stats, figures, and menu pages. Journey of Wrestling is easy to follow, is mostly text-based alongside some retro sprites for title belts and wrestlers, and offers plenty of customizability. 

The latter point is one of the game’s best-selling points. Players have the ability to create their own belts, wrestlers, and even scenarios. This means you can create up-to-date rosters for current promotions, come up with legendary angles from the past, and so on. With content being shared by the community online, it’s effortless to download everything you could desire to get started with their dream promotion. 

Arranging storylines, matches, and rivalries, managing wrestler morale, and ensuring the owner’s goals are met – this is all part of the Journey of Wrestling experience. The game can be played for free on your browser, although a paid version – which includes benefits such as local multiplayer – is also available for wrestling fanatics.  

Golf Games

Golf games are a popular online option. They’re great for quick bursts of fun, with the goal typically being to sink the golf ball in as few shots as possible – this makes for a great target on repeated plays as you attempt to beat your high score.  

If you’re on the hunt for a sports game that’s crossed with challenging puzzle mechanics, why not opt for a simple mini golf title, like Shall We Golf? Games like this offer novelty, as it draws inspiration from Snake. That’s right, Snake – that game which used to be on your old Nokia phone. 

The mechanics are as follows: you move a string of golfers around the course in a snake-like fashion. You can then pass the club to any of these players to hit the ball around the course. Yet the golfing conga you’ve created will determine what pathway – if any – there is to the hole. 

There are only 15 courses to play, but the steep challenge will ensure you spend plenty of time trying to complete Shall We Golf?