When I was a kid, I dreamed of being a fireman. Then I grew up and dreamed of playing professional soccer in Europe. Only now, at the ripe old age of 33 have I finally grown up to admit that my dream may just about be over and that all of my coaches throughout the years might have been right.
Whilst the talent to be involved in my favourite sport at the top level (or any level really) might be lacking, the passion certainly isn’t, so how do I square those two things? Fantasy! When you realise that your dream may never become a reality, it doesn’t mean it’s time to wake up and let go. Keep on dreaming!
The best way that I have found to do that is through the dreamlike world of sports simulator games. Games where I can pretend that I’m not actually a top level player, but one of the greatest tactical minds in the game. The virtual answer to Pep Guardiola, Bill Belichick and Phil Jackson combined.
If, any of that resonates with you even slightly, then read on to find out about the best sports simulation games that you can play right now to keep that childlike dream of being involved in your one true passion alive for as long as possible.
Fantasy Sports
Let’s start with something easy and accessible – Fantasy Sports. If you’re anything like me, you’re absolutely obsessed with your favourite sport. It’s the thing that you think of most often and you’re more of an expert in it than you are in your job or the subject you studied at college.
Fantasy Sports allow you to not only indulge your obsession but to take advantage of your spookily good knowledge. Leagues like Pick6 allow you to assemble a sports team of fantasy players, based on your extensive knowledge and battle it out with your friends for prizes.
Out of the Park Baseball 25
Okay, we’ve gone from 0-60 pretty quickly we’ll admit, but we can’t hold in our excitement any more. Out of the Park Baseball (OOTP) has been one of the most in-depth and detailed sports simulation games on the market for years and the latest release is no different.
If you’re unfamiliar with the OOTP oeuvre, imagine a baseball simulation game jointly designed by MIT and Billy Beane and you’re almost halfway there! If you want to lose yourself in data and narrative, get OOTP 25 downloaded to your PC right away.
(Never played before? This beginner’s guide should help you get a good start on your OOTP 25 journey.)
Football Manager 25
I have already mentioned that soccer is our passion and the way that I indulge that passion now that my playing career is officially over is by loading up Football Manager 25 and guiding my beloved Huddersfield Town from League One to the Champions League.
How do I do that? By obsessively controlling every aspect of the club’s existence to maximise money and talent. By drawing everything out of the transfer market, by building for the future in youth development and by, erm, downloading the best tactics off the internet…
Legend Bowl
Okay, let’s take a quick minute and dial down the nerd-meter for a minute. What if you want some pure escapism and you don’t want your leisure activity to feel like a job? If that’s the case, something like Legend Bowl is perfect for you.
In 16-bit graphics you can enjoy the pageantry and glamour of the NFL whilst also indulging your sporting fantasies through the Franchise Mode which can see you go from also-rans and new kids on the block to the virtual version of the Kansas City Chiefs.
(Legend Bowl is just a really fun game.)
Football Coach: College Dynasty
Truthfully I wanted to cover a range of games that encompassed most of the major sports here in the US, but unfortunately the basketball and ice hockey simulators out there just aren’t that great in my opinion.
Including one of those would also mean missing out on a game like this, which is absolutely phenomenal and totally absorbing. Whilst you can jump right in and take over at an established college team, our favourite way to play this game is by starting out a brand new school and trying to guide them to college football super stardom.
If OOTP and FM seem a little too detailed for you and Legend Bowl leaves you wanting more, Football Coach: College Dynasty should hit that sweet spot right in the middle. Also read more about this post on networkustad.
