Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
The best Nintendo Switch sports games: Golf Story, Rocket League, and more
The Nintendo Switch has so many amazing sports games to choose from. We’ve divided this list to make it easy for you to find a game based on your favorite sport. From Nintendo classics like Mario Tennis Aces to indie games like Golf Story, we’ve rounded up the best Nintendo Switch sports games that are out right now.
Best Nintendo Switch sports games:
Best baseball games for Nintendo Switch
Fans of baseball will love these two Nintendo Switch games. Depending on your preferred gaming style, you may prefer the more polished R.B.I. Baseball 20 or the quirkier Super Mega Baseball 3.
R.B.I. Baseball 20
In R.B.I. Baseball 20, you can play as some of your favorite baseball players, with over 165 legendary players and teams. The controls have been updated from previous R.B.I Baseball games to make gameplay more seamless and improve the pitcher’s perspective. You’ll even get weekly updates that give you up-to-date rosters and stats as you play. If you want to put your favorite players into action with realistic graphics, this is the baseball Switch game for you.
Super Mega Baseball 3
Super Mega Baseball 3 is a bit more childishly animated, but that doesn’t mean it lacks in features. There are 14 different ballparks to experience with custom-built teams and players. If you don’t like the names of the teams that come with the game, you can easily change them. You can build your players up and create a fantastic team just for you. Or, you can test out your team in online competitions with other players.
Best football games for Nintendo Switch
You’re not going to find any Madden NFL games on Nintendo Switch, but you’re not out of luck if you’re searching for a great football game. The two games below offer up a unique twist on the sport so many of us have come to love.
Mutant Football League: Dynasty Edition
If you like gory gameplay, strategy, and football, you’ll love Mutant Football League. In the Dynasty Edition, you can play in Dynasty Mode; this is a single player experience in which you play as the coach and GM of your mutant football team. You can choose from over 23 unique teams, with fun names like New Gorelean Zombies and Killadelphia Evils.
You can use obstacles like landmines or toxic moats to give your team an advantage. Or, you can go a bit less deadly and bribe the ref, but where’s the fun in that? Mutant Football League takes a beloved sport and puts a fun twist on it.
Football Heroes Turbo
In Football Heroes Turbo, you can go head to head with your friends or other online players. There are over 280 different football heroes to collect, each with their own unique stats and Super Moves. As you play, you train your players up to reach their full power potential and unlock new Super Moves. This is a digital-only game that’s only $14.99 but will provide you with countless hours of play time.
Best basketball games for Nintendo Switch
The NBA games are hands-down the best basketball games for the Nintendo Switch. Below are two different variations for you to choose from; both are fantastic basketball games, but differ in animation style and game play.
NBA 2K19
Assemble a team of your favorite basketball players, picking from legends like Larry Bird and LeBron James. The graphics look great and the game has tons of customizability. You can play 3 on 3 in either single-player mode or online against other gamers. You can earn bonus rewards and stay involved with weekly challenges as well!
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is a more chill, arcade-style basketball game. In this sequel, there are more modes and more players to choose from. The animation style in this game is super fun and each player has unique signature animations. You can play with up to four other players online and explore all the different playgrounds the game has to offer.
Best golf games for Nintendo Switch
Whether you’re into the sport itself or you want to play alongside a story, there’s a golf game for you listed below. These are the best golf games you can buy right now for the Nintendo Switch.
Golf Story
Golf story combines the sport of golf beautifully with a story to follow. In this game, you play as a golfer who has to prove his worth and take a shot at achieving his golfing dreams. There are 8 unique environments to explore in the game; each environment has its own set of golf courses, challenges, people to meet, and secrets to learn. If you like the challenge of golf, but want a story to make it more interesting for you, this is the perfect game choice.
PGA Tour 2K21
If you want a more serious golfing experience, you’ll probably want to go with PGA Tour 2K21. You’ll play against 12 of the top golfing pros on actual courses people have played in real life. In the latest PGA Tour game, you can play in Career Mode; you’ll earn rewards and gear as you play your way to winning the FedExCup.
What the Golf?
This golf game is a physics-based parody game. Each golf course presents a new, unique challenge that involves golf in some way. This is in no way a serious golf game, but it’s incredibly hilarious and fun to play. You can play with up to two players locally, which is highly recommended for more fun and laughter.
Best soccer games for Nintendo Switch
Here are some of the best soccer games for the Nintendo Switch, some with unique takes on the sport. We didn’t list any of the FIFA games because the only one you can currently purchase for the Switch is FIFA 21: Legacy Edition; this FIFA game is not the best FIFA game and has not been very highly reviewed either.
Rocket League
Let me start out by saying this game is completely free to download from the Nintendo Switch eShop. In Rocket League, you play soccer with vehicles instead of people. You can play against other online players in competitive tournaments. Rocket League even supports cross-platform progression, which is huge for a free game to do. This game is incredibly fun to play, combining the sport of soccer with the fun of driving cool vehicles.
Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions
Captain Tsubasa: Rise of the New Champions has two different story modes for you to experience. You can play Episode: Tsubasa, in which you can experience events as seen in the original anime series. Or you can choose to experience Episode: New Hero, a completely original story that still features Captain Tsubasa. Whichever way you decide to play, you’ll get to experience some awesome soccer action alongside a great story.
Football Manager 2021 Touch
This is the brand new, updated version of the game for 2021. There are 117 leagues and 52 nations to choose from; you can choose to start at a lower league and work your way up or start out with an elite league. How you play the game is up to you, but you’ll be managing your team the entire way.
See also: The best RPGs for the Nintendo Switch
Other sports games for Nintendo Switch
These are some other sports games for the Nintendo Switch that don’t fall in one of the larger sports categories listed above. If you love tennis, biking, or Olympic games, there are some great options for you below.
Mario Tennis Aces
In Mario Tennis Aces, you can play as all of your favorite characters – Mario, Yoshi, Peach, and more. There are so many different shots and strategies in the game that make it super fun. Or, if you want to play basic tennis, you can set the game to adhere to simple rules where you can only take basic shots.
The element of traditional tennis is there, but there are many unique innovations as well. You can play with up to 4 players either locally or online. There’s a Tournament Mode if you wanted to challenge yourself even more. Then, there’s also an Adventure Mode in which you can complete missions and boss battles. There are so many different ways you can play this game; and it’s fun to play single-player or multiplayer.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Play as Mario or Sonic, obviously, or many other classic Nintendo characters in this game. As the title suggests, this game allows you to compete in over 30 Olympic Games. Plus, there’s also a story mode for you to explore and compete in retro 2D sports events based in 1964. You can play the game single-player or multiplayer, either online or local split-screen.
Urban Trial Tricky
In Urban Trial Tricky, you can test out tricks and combos on your motorbike. There’s tons of customizable options in this game, including your outfit and your motorbike. There are three different single-player modes for you to explore and over 30 levels and side challenges. Although the game is single-player, you can challenge yourself to be at the top of the leaderboards.
Lonely Mountains: Downhill
Lonely Mountains: Downhill is another biking game, but it’s more physics-based than Urban Trial Tricky. You can explore paths alongside mountain lakes, through forests, and down canyons. The custom physics system allows you to easily slide through muddy ground, drop from boulder to boulder on your way down the mountain, and more.
The way to the end of the game is entirely up to you; you can take the long way around or you can cut corners and go off-road to find the finish line even quicker. And similar to Urban Trial Tricky, Lonely Mountains: Downhill is single-player, but you can compete with other players on the leaderboards.