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Games Like 'FIFA 23' to Play Next

Whether you're looking for something a bit more strategic or something with a faster pace, there are plenty of other great sports games worth checking out.
by Jon Bitner — 
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FIFA 23

EA Sports

FIFA 23 is shaping up to be the final game in the long-running series, and EA Sports is sending it off with a bang. The developer may not have been able to renegotiate its contract with FIFA for 2024, but this 2023 installment is proof once again that the series is at the top of its class.

Like its predecessors, FIFA 23 offers players a wide variety of single-player content, local multiplayer, and competitive online matchmaking. This year brought a new layer of polish to the franchise, and critics have been kind to the game, awarding it a favorable 78 Metascore. Career Mode is a particular standout, with the new Playable Highlights feature letting you take control of the action at key points without having to slog through some of the boring back-and-forth sections of gameplay.

Also new to FIFA 23 is crossplay support, letting PS5 and Xbox Series X owners duke it out in online matches. This also marks the first time that women's club teams are playable, with the Barclays FA Women's Super League and Division 1 Arkema joining in on the action.

While FIFA 23 might be the newest (and most popular) soccer game on the market, it's far from the only one worthy of your time. Whether you're looking for something a bit more strategic or something with a faster pace, there are plenty of other great soccer games worth checking out. And if you don't mind venturing out into other sports, you'll have even more options at your disposal.

Here are 10 games like FIFA 23 to play next, listed by Metascore.


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Football Manager 2022

Sega

Football Manager 2022 (PC)

Metascore: 85
Best for: Fans that want to manage a soccer club
Where to buy:


Also available on: iOS, Switch, XB1, XBX

If you're a fan of FIFA 2023's career modes and strategic gameplay, Football Manager 2022 is an excellent alternative. You won't have direct control of the on-pitch action; instead you'll be tasked with monitoring your team's performance, signing new players, and handling all the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that are required to build a successful club. It moves at a much slower pace than FIFA 2023, but with so much depth and dozens of hats to juggle, Football Manager 2022 is the closest you can get to running a soccer team without needing to leave your couch.

"Football Manager 2022 is yet another improvement on the long-running series…and recreates both the small and large moments that make the sport so engaging." — Wccftech


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Rocket League

Psyonix

Rocket League (PS4)

Metascore: 85
Best for: Fans of adrenaline-pumping multiplayer
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, Switch, XB1

Take the core concepts of soccer, replace the players with superpowered cars, and you're not far from Rocket League. You'll be tasked with racing around the pitch and trying to ram a gigantic soccer ball into the other team's net. Along the way, you can pick up turbo boosts that let you speed across the field in record time, or you can turn your eyes skyward and use the boost to fly into the air. The bizarre mash-up of racer and soccer rules sounds strange on paper, yet somehow it works perfectly. Rocket League continues to be one of the most popular games despite launching in 2015, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

"It's a blast to play and it only gets better as skills improve over time and as the competition ramps up." — Sporting News


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Wii Sports

Nintendo

Wii Sports (Wii)

Metascore: 76
Best for: Fans of surprisingly deep party games
Where to buy:


Also available on: N/A

Wii Sports was one of the most popular Wii games when it launched in 2006, and it's just as enjoyable today as it was more than a decade ago. It served as a showcase for the console's impressive motion sensing capabilities, with each of its sports asking you to perform a unique movement to control the action. Whether you're bowling, golfing, boxing, playing baseball or tennis, you'll be waving your arms around frantically as you try to best your opponents. The game doesn't look quite as sharp as it did at launch, but Wii Sports as a whole has aged gracefully.

"The ideal way to get into Wii gaming. It's funny, simple and approachable, and gamers and non-gamers alike should get something out of it." — Official Nintendo Magazine UK


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Mutant Football League

Digital Dreams Entertainment

Mutant Football League (PC)

Metascore: 74
Best for: Fans of over-the-top action
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4, XB1

Mutant Football League is a violent, strategic interpretation of American football. You'll be trying to move the ball across a field that's teeming with traps and hazards, which obviously give you more to worry about than just the other team. Players in Mutant Football League are also a bit more ghoulish than you'd expect in a sports game, with a variety of undead athletes making up each squad. To make things even wilder, you can employ Dirty Tricks such as bribing the referee or equipping chainsaws to help put points on the scoreboard.

"Fast fun and easy for casual fans to get into. It's also incredibly violent and full of cheesy horror puns." — DarkStation


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eFootball PES 2021

Konami

eFootball PES 2021 (PS4)

Metascore: 73
Best for: Those seeking another authentic soccer game
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, XB1

eFootball PES 2021 isn't the newest game in the series (that would be the ill-fated eFootball 2022), but this older entry remains one of the best. The game essentially serves as an update to PES 2020, offering new rosters and club data but keeping the same realistic gameplay that made PES so popular in the first place. There is some bad news, however, as the online modes for PES 2021 have officially shut down. That means you'll be relegated to playing single-player, offline modes, but even with that limitation, PES 2021 is still a great alternative to FIFA.

"A new approach for the sports genre, with welcome results: this offers more than a roster update, and at a very appealing price." — GamesRadar+


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Mario Strikers: Battle League

Nintendo

Mario Strikers: Battle League (Switch)

Metascore: 73
Best for: Fans of arcade sports games
Where to buy:


Also available on: N/A

Mario Strikers: Battle League isn't aiming for realism. Instead, it seeks to offer a fast-paced rendition of the sport that's approachable to newcomers but deep enough for series veterans. You'll play in 5v5 matchups that feature such familiar faces as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser, each one offering unique skills that can swing the momentum in your favor. You'll also be able to unlock a bunch of gear that further augments their stats, letting you build a team that better fits your playstyle. Once you've sunk a few hours into its solo game modes, you can head online for some chaotic matches that support up to seven other players.

"An over-the-top soccer game that's wildly fun, even though it does very little new." — IGN


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Football, Tactics & Glory

Creoteam

Football, Tactics & Glory (PC)

Metascore: 72
Best for: Fans of strategy games
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4, Switch, XB1

Football, Tactics & Glory couldn't have a better name. You'll first build a club before taking part in tactical, turn-based matches that involve strategizing and thinking ahead instead of fast reflexes or button presses. As the game progresses, you'll get to upgrade your players by outfitting them with different skills and abilities that help you outmaneuver your opponents and win more matches. Its graphics might be a bit rough around the edges, but its 72 Metascore is indicative of a deep strategy game that grows more complex the longer you play.

"An original experiment that matches turn based strategy with football, with a deep managerial side and a great players editor." — SpazioGames


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Nintendo Switch Sports

Nintendo

Nintendo Switch Sports (Switch)

Metascore: 72
Best for: Fans of motion-based party games
Where to buy:


Also available on: N/A

Nintendo Switch Sports is a collection of party games that are designed to get you up and moving. You'll be using motion controls to play soccer, volleyball, bowling, tennis, badminton, and a swordplay event called Chambara. Soccer will be the main attraction for FIFA fans, and Nintendo Switch Sports even comes with a Leg Strap accessory to better track your kicking motion. If you're looking for a challenge, you can check out the online Pro leagues for some intense, competitive action. And when you're not kicking, swinging, and jumping around, you can sit down and customize your avatar with a variety of collectible cosmetics.

"My time with Nintendo Switch Sports has been one of the most fun experiences I have had with a co-op game. And frankly, the most fun I've had with anything sport-related ever." — Movies Games and Tech


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Captain Tsubasa: Rise of the New Champion

Bandai Namco

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of the New Champions (PS4)

Metascore: 69
Best for: Fans of anime
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, Switch

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of the New Champions is a colorful arcade title based on the popular manga and anime series. It looks remarkably different from most games on this list, thanks to its stylized graphics and flashy special effects for every in-game action. It takes a liberal approach to the rules of soccer (and physics), as you'll be performing brutal slide tackles before launching bombastic shots that are powerful enough to elude even the best keepers. The anime stylings won't be for everyone, but fans of the Captain Tsubasa series or arcade sports games should give it strong consideration.

"A back-to-basics football game with excellent pace and considerable verve." — Digitally Downloaded


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Madden NFL 2023

EA

Madden NFL 2023 (PS5)

Metascore: 69
Best for: Fans of American football
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS4, XB1, XBX

If you're interested in a different kind of football, Madden NFL 2023 offers many of the same features that make FIFA 23 so compelling. This includes a deep Franchise mode where you act as a head coach of an NFL team, Madden Ultimate Team (which is very similar to FIFA Ultimate Team), and plenty of multiplayer modes to keep you busy for hours on end. Of course, the biggest difference is that you'll be playing football instead of football, and you might have to get used to the change of pace and learn some new terminology.

"Madden NFL 23 has refined the matchday experience and improved much of the gameplay to make this year a strong foundation for the future." — God is a Geek