5 Best Football Games of All Time

From FIFA 23 to Sensible World of Soccer, these are the best football games of all time that every ardent fan must try. 

Best Football Games of All Time
These are the best football games of all time (Image via EA Sports/Sports Interactive)

Football, or soccer, is the most popular sport in the world, leading to the development of tons of football games over the generations. While there are hundreds of football games out there, only a few of them capture the charismatic and energetic experience of a real football match.

Among the vast sea of football games, we picked some of the greatest ever made, ranging from retro classics to modern hyper-realistic titles. Whether you are managing a top squad toward a trophy or engaging in intense, high-paced matches on the field, these games have got you covered. Here are the five best football games of all time that every football fan must try.

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1) FIFA 23 (2022)

FIFA 23 (2022)
Kylian Mbappé in FIFA 23 (Image via EA Sports)

While EA delivered strong FIFA titles from FIFA 12 to FIFA 17, the following installments didn’t receive the same acclaim as them—until they made a comeback with FIFA 22. Introduced to the latest technology, like Hypermotion, FIFA 22 was widely praised as a return to the series.

To elevate things further, FIFA 23, the successor to FIFA 22 and the franchise’s last game enhanced every aspect of the previous game. It featured HyperMotion 2 technology and improved dribbling mechanics, including Technical Dribbling. It includes a cross-play feature, the Women’s World Cup, and also introduced women’s club football for the first time in the series. FIFA 23 was the perfect send-off to one of the most successful gaming franchises in history.

2) EA Sports FC 24 (2023) 

EA Sports FC 24 (2023) 
EA Sports FC 24 features HyperMotionV, capturing real-life animations (Image via EA Sports)

EA Sports FC 24 marks a new era of football following the strong foundation of FIFA 23 and other FIFA games. It is the first game after the brand shift from FIFA to EA Sports FC, featuring various advanced technologies that define the true football experience, including HyperMotionV, PlayStyles optimized by Opta, and an enhanced Frostbite Engine.

It enhances the various mechanics from its predecessor while fixing multiple bugs and errors. The PlayStyles, evolved Ultimate Team, and tactical vision system in Career Mode are some of the notable game-changing features of FC 24.

3) Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 (2012)

Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 (2012)
Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 cover poster (Image via Konami)

Before its rebranding as eFootball, Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), or Winning Eleven, was FIFA’s biggest competitor. While PES has released good games like PES 5, PES 6, and PES 2021, PES 2013 is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Konami’s football series. The game includes fluid dribbling, precise passing, and unparalleled ball control, delivering an authentic and immersive experience.

It emphasizes realism and individuality, making players behave exactly how they play in real life. Despite being a free-to-play title, the rebranded eFootball has struggled to capture the audience like the original PES. Trying out Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 is a great choice, letting players look back at one of the best football games ever made.

4) Sensible World of Soccer (1994)

Sensible World of Soccer (1994)
Sensible World of Soccer is a retro hit (Image via Renegade GT Interactive)

Next, we have Sensible World of Soccer, a classic hit. Although the game features simple mechanics and 2D graphics, it delivers fast and addictive gameplay featuring a large variety of actions.

What sets the game apart from others is its unique take on a comprehensive manager mode blended with 2D gameplay. Players could manage and play through multiple seasons with the contemporary season data feature, which was something ahead of its time.

Although decades have passed, many still consider Sensible World of Soccer not only the best football game ever made but also one of the best games in history. While released in 1994, the game still holds nostalgic memories for retro fans even after 30 years.

5) Football Manager 2024 (2023)

Football Manager 2024 (2023)
Give a tactical spin with Football Manager 2024 (Image via Sega)

If you prefer tactics over action, the Football Manager franchise is a great choice. Standing apart from the FIFA vs. PES rivalry, Football Manager thrives due to its advanced simulation tactics. The franchise has solid hit titles like Football Manager 2007 and Football Manager 2012-14. But Football Manager 2024 has incorporated and enhanced the best elements from previous titles and elevated them to the next level, including various bug fixes and stable optimizations.

It also features a save file transfer option for the first time in the series, allowing players to transfer their save data from Football Manager 2023. Additionally, Football Manager 2024 earned the title of the most-played edition of the franchise, making it a must-play for tactics enthusiasts.


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