Nearly a year after the introduction of the App Store, there are over 50,000 applications available to download, the vast majority of those being games. This can be completely overwhelming to newcomers and iPhone veterans alike, so we've decided to help out our readers with a definitive list of the best sports titles available on the platform.
For those of you who suffer from money constraints (and really, who doesn't?), fear not! When the best game wasn't the cheapest, we listed a thrifty alternative. Regardless of price, we'd recommend any game on this list, and each one has scored at least a 3 on our rating scale (except for Baseball Superstars, which we like a lot but haven't reviewed yet).
That said, let the games begin!
Best Soccer Game - X2 Soccer 2009
Publisher: X2 Games
Price: $6.99
In our review, we said that "X2's superiority to Real Soccer 2009 is apparent from the moment you start playing." The more flexible controls, better graphics and enhanced defensive options make it the best soccer title on the platform. Unfortunately, the lack of multiplayer, something that Real Soccer also doesn't offer, hurts.
Buy from iTunes
Cheapskate Alternative - Real Soccer 2009
Publisher: Gameloft
Price: $.99
Even at the same price, Real Soccer wouldn't be a bad alternative to X2, and it may just make up for its shortcomings with a budget price tag. The virtual d-pad isn't as strong as the analog controls in X2, and the passing options and defensive game aren't as robust, but if you don't need the absolute best soccer title it will do you just fine.
Buy from iTunes
Best Racing Simulation Game - Real Racing
Publisher: Firemint
Price: $9.99
The only racer of its kind worth mentioning on the platform, Real Racing has almost everything you could want. The controls are tight, the graphics are fantastic and the online integration and local multiplayer wrap everything together nicely. Even at the premium price, this title stands apart from other iPhone games.
Buy from iTunes
Best Arcade Racing Game - Need for Speed: Undercover
Publisher: EA Mobile
Price: $6.99
An exciting, if pint-sized, version of the console experience brought to the land of accelerometers. Although the single-player story mode is your only option for racing, there's plenty of race types. The impressive graphics, flashy presentation and car customization keep it out in front.
Buy from iTunes
Cheapskate Alternative - Asphalt 4
Publisher: Gameloft
Price: $.99
One of the earliest iPhone games, Asphalt 4 was a premier title upon release. It still holds up well today, and at its bargain basement price it's a no brainer. You don't have to be a cheapskate to enjoy this one.
Buy from iTunes
Best Golf Game - Tiger Woods PGA Tour
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Price: $6.99
With seven accurately modeled courses and a unique control scheme, Tiger Woods's aim for realism separates it from other golf titles on the platform. A handful of real golfers to choose from, along with a create-a-character option and a Tour career mode make this the most complete choice.
Buy from iTunes
Cheapskate Alternative - Let's Golf
Publisher: Gameloft IDP
Price: $1.99
Although we're listing it as a cheapskate option, Let's Golf is no slouch, also earning a "Must Have" review score from us. It offers a very different experience from Tiger Woods, with cartoony characters and an emphasis on lighthearted fun over realism. Even before the massive price drop it had our highest recommendation!
Buy from iTunes
Best Baseball Game - Baseball Superstars 09
Publisher: Gamevil Inc.
Price: $2.99
It's hard to call this a traditional baseball game, but it does offer most of the modes you'd expect. There's also a lot here you wouldn't normally find, like wacky pitchers that can send the ball over the plate in a loop-de-loop and a career mode that lets you choose whether to spend your spare time working out in the gym, promoting yourself on television or taking a lucky lady out on a date.
Buy from iTunes
Similarly Priced Alternative - Baseball Slugger
Publisher: Com2uS Corp.
Price: $2.99
Less of a baseball game than a home run derby game, Baseball Sluggers has the best batting controls on the device. The online multiplayer and assortment of arcade challenges keep things interesting, but the narrow focus keeps this one from hitting a grand slam.
Buy from iTunes
Best Pool Game - Anytime Pool
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Price: $4.99
Fantastic control, online Facebook integration and a world tour single player campaign make this the first choice for playing pool on the go. The impressive presentation and extensive replay value will keep you playing for a while.
Buy from iTunes
Cheapskate Alternative - Midnight Pool
Publisher: Gameloft
Price: $.99
Midnight Pool isn't as flashy as Anytime Pool, it doesn't control quite as well and the story mode is pretty pointless. But it still offers up some solid physics and a decent amount of single player content. The multiplayer is limited to pass-and-play, but for the price it might be all that you're looking for in your billiards game.
Buy from iTunes
Best Fishing Game - Flick Fishing
Publisher: Freeverse Inc.
Price: $.99
A new quest mode, lots of fish to catch and fantastic graphics make Flick Fishing the easy choice if you want to reel in the big one. The price is just bait on the hook, you don't get much better value than this on the App Store!
Buy from iTunes
Best Xtreme Sports Game - Dirt Moto Racing
Publisher: Resolution Interactive AB
Price: $4.99
With over 30 races offered in career mode and four different race types, Dirt Moto offers quite a bit of bang for your buck. Online leaderboards and the ability to challenge the 'ghosts' of those with the best times really launch this game to the top of our Xtreme Sports list.
Buy from iTunes
Cheapskate Alternative - Aqua Moto Racing
Publisher: Resolution Interactive AB
Price: $3.99
This water-based racer just feels right as you navigate between buoys with the tilt controls. At only a dollar less, it isn't much cheaper than Dirt Moto but it offers quite a different experience. Online leaderboards and some seriously sweet graphics keep things afloat, even without any multiplayer options and a relatively useless showboating mechanic.
Buy from iTunes
You'll notice that we haven't covered every sport. That's because, at this stage, there isn't a good game for every sport available. Sure, there are some tennis games out there, but the ones we tried don't quite make the cut for a best sports games list. Same goes for basketball and football.
If there's anything that wasn't included that you think could make our list, tell us why in the comments. Hopefully, by the time we revisit this we'll be able to have something for every category. Until then, there's enough here to get you through a few offseasons. Enjoy!
8 Comments
What about 9 innings: pro baseball 2009? It's the same price (2.99) and I preferred it to Baseball Superstars '09. 9innings has a ton of modes and is the choice for real baseball fans. Superstars is good but I was instantly put off by the "super players", a vampire pitcher that throws a bat that flys in loops is not the baseball experience I want.
At the very least I think it would be more fitting as the "similarly priced alternative". Baseball Slugger is an AMAZING game and I fully recommend it to anyone with an iphone/ipod touch, but it is much more of an arcade experience.
Just my thoughts though
Cheers!
Hey VeganTnT.
I see what your saying about Baseball Sluggers, and quite frankly we agree that its a great game, but it was put as an alternative because it is more of a home run derby than a full-fledged baseball game. Note that is also why we didn't give it "cheapskate alternative" ;)
- Tim Rattray
How about Bobble Surfer?
Though it is probably the only surfing game on the app store, it is worthy of recognition. With great controls, it simulates the surfing experience nicely. One of my top apps overall - let alone sports games
Oh, and I was actually considering getting an xtreme sports game, so I was excited when I saw that catergory. Unfortunately, it was not very helpful for cheapstakes like me...
well i must say i prefer baseball sluggers anyday to other "so-called" full fledged baseball games in the appstore......sometimes i think we should stop defining games just by whether they have some content or not, for the sake of it...and rate them on how playable they are....i havent played the full-fledged games even a wee bit cos they r so sad to play....and many r very kiddy.....baseball sluggers is awesome and is a keeper on my ipod touch 2g......
(and to think im from india, where we dont even have baseball as a sport here)...hehehe
also i wonder y most gameloft games have been given "cheapskate alternative" status just because there r newer games on the block...obviously u expect newer games to better the old ones, but it doesnt mean the old ones are bad......also, u missed on RPG games...AND HERO OF SPARTA still shines in that department......even though it is an old game.....it seems u will create an award & include this as a "cheapskate" alternative ONLY AFTER a better game comes along huh?
besides this, u need to award innovative gameplay games like SWAY & ROLANDO, which have defined the iphone platform for what it is today........just my thoughts.....
Under the Extreme Sports category, what about 2XL Supercross? Does it not match up to the quality of those two titles from Resolution Interactive?
Maybe I should get those two, then. Of course, that would require time away from Real Racing, so maybe not.
Am I the only one who finds it hilariously awesome that gameloft holds all but one cheapskate slots?
great list btw
@mhoskote
you seem to have missed the whole point of this article. First of all, it is titled "Slide to Play Buyer's Guide: Sports" Last time I checked, slashing up mythical monsters wasn't a sport. Also, "cheapstake alternative" doesn't mean it's a terrible game, it just costs less.
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