The Sports genre of videogames is a field that has developed significantly over the past decade. The emergence of eSports and revolutionary games like Rocket League has expanded the possibilities for these types of games, resulting in a growth in popularity.
Personally, I have been playing sports-based videogames my entire life. The Library on my Xbox library is constantly filled with games like FIFA, Rocket League, and Madden. (Here’s my current Library)
As you can see, I play a lot of sports games. However, there is always room for more. In this article, I will list the sports-based videogames that I want to see developed.
My List
1. Mario Strikers Re-Make
2. AUDL Game
3. Beach Sports Game
4. More Sporting Hybrids
5. More Football Manager Simulators (Different Sports)
6.Wii Sports Reboot
Mario Strikers Re-Make
When thinking of Sports games, the first thing you think of is probably not Mario. The plumber is more well-known for stomping on goombas and saving princesses.
But the Mario franchise has delved into a variety of different sports, making the characters compete in Tennis, Golf, Kart Racing, and even the Olympics!
My favourite game in the Mario sports franchise is Mario Strikers Charged Football. As the title suggests, this game places Mario and friends on the football pitch. However, the game provides a classic Mario-style twist by placing obstacles and special moves into the mix.
Mario Strikers Charged Football was released in 2007 by Next Level Games. This means it has been over a decade since it’s release. Since then, the focus of Mario sports games has moved to focus on Tennis, Golf, and the Olympics.
These games are always fun, but I believe that a new Mario Strikers with new graphics, modes, and fun twists on VAR and goal-line technology would make for a great addition to the Nintendo Switch library.
AUDL Game
As an Ultimate Frisbee player, I have always wanted a videogame version to be developed.
In my early years, I dreamt of being a playable character in a videogame. Although the chances of that happening were very slim, an AUDL game may have been the best chance of that dream becoming a reality.
Similar to games like FIFA and Madden, the AUDL game would be a realistic simulation of the professional Ultimate Frisbee league in America.
In an ideal scenario, the game would have a career mode, player mode, create a club mode, and an ultimate team style online mode.
It would be great to make a team and compete against the best teams in the AUDL and the rest of the world.
Luckily, this dream may become reality in the near future because British game developer Firebrand Games has recently began working on a prototype for an AUDL game. The game could be released as soon as Christmas 2021.
However, there has been no updates so far and the Covid-19 pandemic has most likely delayed development.
Beach Sports Game
This idea is less likely to become reality, but a game that allows players to compete in a range of sports on the beach sounds like a fun experience.
Beaches are a great place to play a bunch of sports and I believe this would make a great setting for an arcade style party game.
Some examples of sports that could be included are Beach Volleyball, Beach Football, Ultimate Frisbee, Spikeball, Rounders, and Beach Rugby.
I used to have a game similar to this idea on the Wii called Big Beach Sports. The game included sports like Beach Football, Cricket, and Volleyball. However, it was an extremely low budget production which caused a severe lack in quality.
Credit: THQ, HB Games
Although the game was not the best, I loved the idea behind it. I would definitely want to see a game with a similar idea and better execution be made in the future.
More Sporting Hybrids
Sporting Hybrids is a relatively new trend in gaming. These games take a sport and places it into a gaming environment.
The catalyst for hybrid games is the worldwide sensation Rocket League, a combination of Football and driving.
Rocket League shakes up conventional Football by swapping humans for rocket-powered cars that drive around an area chasing after a large football.
The huge success of Rocket League has inspired others to develop games that follow the same principles. For Example, Electronic Arts are releasing a new game called Knockout City in a few days. This game combines Dodgeball and Fighting to create an action-packed multiplayer experience. (Hint: I will be playing this game as soon as it releases)
Credit : https://media.contentapi.ea.com/content/dam/eacom/c-ko/media/screenshots/images/2021/02/koc-screenshot-16x9-5.jpg.adapt.crop16x9.818p.jpg
In my opinion, sporting hybrids are a great idea, and I would love to see more of them. Rocket League has become the go-to game for playing with my friends because it is easily accessible and always good fun.
There are some ideas that I think would make for good sporting hybrids. A Football-Fighting crossover would be lots of carnage, an American Football game with platforming would make for a strange scenario, and any sport mixed with an RPG would be mind-blowing.
Football Manger But For Different Sports
Football Manager is one of my favourite sporting games of all time. The title sums up what this game is all about. It provides players with an in-depth simulation of the roles and responsibilities of a real-life Football manager.
The brilliance of this game is in the detail. The database is ridiculously extensive, providing details on leagues and players from all over the world and at multiple levels of competitions.
In addition, every action feels like it has a significant impact on the team’s morale and performance. This attention to detail creates a gaming experience that provides the most accurate representation of the sport.
In recent years, professional clubs have begun using the Football Manager database to help scout and recruit players.
Seeing this concept transferred to other sporting domains like Rugby, Cricket, Netball, and Basketball would give fans of these sports an ultra-realistic experience of being the manager of their favourite club (or some random club in the Algerian 1st Division!) and bringing them success.
Wii Sports Reboot
The final idea on my wish list is a reboot of one of the highest-selling games of all time. Wii sports was released alongside the Nintendo Wii in 2006.
The game used motion controls recreate Tennis, Bowling, Golf, and Boxing. Wii sports demonstrated the features of the Wii by providing an experience of playing sports in their own living room.
This was a unique concept for its time, propelling the Wii into popularity and gifting Nintendo with record sales.
Credit: Nintendo
The game received a sequel, Wii Sports Resort, that included an improved Wii Motion Plus sensor which also received high praise.
Since the Nintendo Switch was announced, I have wanted a game that uses the Joy-Cons to provide a similar experience to Wii Sports.
Rebooting the franchise for the Switch by using the two Joy-Cons with improved motion sensors and HD rumble could create an amplified version of the classic game.
Nintendo’s ambition to innovate makes it unlikely that Nintendo would reboot the Wii Sports IP. However, the core concepts have been installed into other sports games from Nintendo e.g., Mario sports games.
Your Ideas
I asked my followers on Instagram for some suggestions of games they would like to see developed.
The answers I received reinforced ideas in this article. One person suggested a Korfball game which is a similar idea to the AUDL game. Games for lesser-known sports would be really interesting and could help with growing the sport’s popularity.
Another response supported the idea that Rocket League was a great game. This is something I agree with and hope to see more similar games developed in the future.
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who submitted responses!
Make sure to check out my Instagram to be involved in future questions, keep up with my daily activity, and receive hints on future posts. https://www.instagram.com/theallstargameral/
That was my Sports Games Wishlist! Let me know if you agree or write down your suggestions by commenting below!
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