The 2017 NBA and NHL Playoffs are now underway. March Madness just concluded last month, and two months prior to that, Super Bowl 51 pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in American football history. The Premier League is set to conclude on May 21, with the 2017 French Open set to begin the day after on May 22.
If you’re a huge sports fan, things can’t get any better than the first six months of every year. Sadly, all good things must (temporarily) come to an end when off-seasons and in-between tournament breaks inevitably arrive. But thankfully, you have sports games on iOS and Android to keep you entertained as you wait for the next season or tournament to kick off.
Don’t know which ones to play? Here are our picks for the best sports mobile games to play this 2017.
NBA 2K17
Still bummed out that Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder got bounced from the 2017 NBA Playoffs too soon? We feel you, bro. But instead of sulking in the corner, why not re-create the entire Houston-OKC series in NBA 2K17? With Quick Game mode, you can instantly play a game using your favorite teams! However, if you want the feel the grind of the 82-game NBA season, you can jump into either Season mode or MyCareer mode. Unlike the console version, NBA 2K17 on mobile has simplified controls, allowing you to easily play on-the-go.
NBA Jam
If the awesome graphics and realistic gameplay in NBA 2K17 aren’t really your thing, then check out the over-the-top and totally unrealistic gameplay in NBA Jam instead. This mobile port of the classic arcade game brings all the goodies that made the original endlessly fun. Take part in two-on-two matches, as opposed to five-on-five, and throw physics out the window with gravity-defying dunks and improbable shots! But unlike the arcade version, you can now play against real-life friends via local or online multiplayer. With its bobble head players and crazy on-court stunts, NBA Jam definitely beats out NBA 2K17 in the entertainment category.
Football Manager Mobile 2017
Managing a football club is one of the most taxing jobs in sports. Don’t believe us? Try Football Manager Mobile 2017 just for a day or two and you’ll see there’s more to managers than screaming instructions from the sidelines. Experience all the things that happen behind-the-scenes and make strategic decisions on-the-fly! The scouting system is better than ever, making tough decisions on player hiring a bit easier. Transfers, team lineups, game tactics, and even disciplinary action on players – all of these are in your hands as the manager of a football club.
Virtua Tennis Challenge
Sega really knows their stuff when it comes to sports games. Virtua Tennis Challenge is another example of that. Featuring a whopping 50 unique players and 18 tennis stadiums, Virtua Tennis Challenge is definitely a must-play for tennis fans. To give you more options when dishing out the trickiest and most powerful shots, the game offers multiple control schemes, which includes touch and gamepad support. This is more crucial when you consider the environment effects in each stadium. You will need to adjust your shots depending on the court type. If you’re already feeling confident about your skill just five games in, you can challenge your friends to a match via Bluetooth multiplayer.
Table Tennis Touch
Table Tennis Touch is hands down the best table tennis mobile game on Android and iOS. The indoor environments in the game are surprisingly well-detailed and realistic-looking, which helps in setting you in the right mood to smash those ping pongs. There are multiple ways to enjoy Table Tennis Touch. You can play career mode and see how you match up with the game’s AI. You can challenge your real-life friends via multiplayer (local or online). And if you want to take a break from the competition, you can play the mini-games. To add even more replay value, the game also offers collectibles in the form of customized bats.
Skiing Yeti Mountain
Sometimes, the best mobile games come with bad graphics. This is one of those games. Featuring pixelated graphics, Skiing Yeti Mountain offers a simple premise but fairly difficult gameplay. Your goal is to reach the finish line at the bottom of the screen as fast as possible. But to maximize your points, you must follow the signs scattered on each level. Basically, you will be zigzagging down the icy mountain. There are more than 800 levels to go through. Yep, not a typo – 800 levels. But you’ll barely notice your progress in-game, thanks to the interesting and humorous characters you meet along the way.
Real Boxing 2: Rocky
Most boxing games on mobile have simplified controls and a shallow gameplay where you simply engage in endless matches against random enemies and not much else. You can cross off Real Boxing 2: Rocky from that list. The game places you in the legendary shoes of the titular character, Rocky Balboa, as you slug it out against familiar Rocky characters like Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago. You can also create your own fully customized boxer, complete with custom stat spreads, abilities, and unique gear. The gameplay is more than just swiping to launch punches. You need to be creative in your strategy to efficiently score knockouts every time you step into the ring.
EA Sports UFC
Boxing still too tame for you? If you want more than just throwing punches and dancing in the ring, then EA Sports UFC should sate your need for even more action. The game features more than 70 fighters to choose from, with each of them arriving with special skill sets and fighting styles for you to master. The action is practically non-stop in the game – the more you fight and take down enemies, the more new enemies you can go up against. The touch controls can get a little tricky at first, but with practice, you’ll get the hang of it in no time. There’s one catch to EA Sports UFC, though: it requires a persistent internet connection. Bummer.
Skateboard Party 3 Lite Greg
Skateboard Party 3 Lite Greg is the free version of the third installment in the Skateboard Party series. Though with its features, you might think it’s a paid app. The game is seriously packed with goodies. It features popular pro skateboarder Greg Lutzka, along with more than a dozen other skaters to choose from. Using numerous items, you can customize your chosen skater’s gear according to you fashion taste. The game features eight uniquely designed locations containing more than 70 objectives to complete. With over 40 tricks to execute to perfection, you will never run out of trick combinations. And like with skateboarding games on consoles, Skateboard Party 3 Lite Greg has a great soundtrack.
Madden NFL Mobile
Last but not the least we have Madden NFL Mobile. It’s the flashier American football version of Football Manager Mobile 2017 above. However, it lacks the extremely in-depth team management system. But in return, you actually get to play the games like in NBA 2K17. You can build your own dream team using current NFL stars and retired legends. Understanding the controls and gameplay is easy enough, even for newbies who are more accustomed to the “real” football. If you want to simulate a full NFL season, you can dive into Seasons mode and make your team the stuff of legends 16 games at a time. Like the console version, Madden NFL Mobile is a treat for American football lovers.
