Rocket Leagueis an industry phenomenon that has bridged the impossible gap between “sports” games and and an audience who would traditionally steer clear of the genre.
The issue is that the Rocket League has been around for almost 10 years, and even the most die-hard fans may run out of things to do in that time. If you’re looking for alternatives, they are hard to come by, but a few games satisfy the same itch.
Honestly, Rocket League has captured such a tremendous fanbase because there really isn’t anything else quite like it. With this in mind, there are a few cerebral suggestions on this list.
During my research for this list, I found several games similar toRocket Leaguewhich are now unplayable, thanks to things like server shutdowns. With this in mind, every game on this list is playable right now, even if you must bring your friends.
8Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions
Who Needs A Car When You Have A Broom?
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions
Quidditch is a fantasy competitive sport from the Harry Potter universe,trading cars or a traditional pitch for hoops and broomsticks.
Harry Potter: Quidditch Championsmakes the list because it has much in common withRocket League. Matches arequick 3v3 boutswith the ultimate goal of scoring more points than your opponents.
You gain points by throwing a Quaffle (ball) through your opponent’s hoops or securing the Golden Snitch. The latter is a tiny golden ball that requires a deft hand to secure.
The only downside toQuidditch Championsis the player numbers are dwindling at the time of writing. There’s asolid competitive gamehere that rewards skill and positioning, but the title is woefully supported for a live service from 2024.
If you have PlayStation Plus, you may have snagged it already without realizing it, and it’s absolutely worth trying if you have. Oh, and you can get apaper mask of Hagrid. What’s not to like?
7Mutant Football League
For When PvE Is More Your Style
Mutant Football League: Dynasty Edition
Mutant Football Leagueis a superb arcade sports title, and while there’s not a massive player base these days, it still offersdecent PvE content.
Mutant Football Leagueis aspiritual successor toMutant League Footballon the Sega Genesis. It’s an American Football game at its core, but it never strays into “sim” territory.
There are plenty of different arenas and a generous serving ofviolence and swearing, which can be tweaked to suit your preferences.
The online landscape is a wasteland, butMutant Football Leagueis still playable thanks torobust PvE modesthat can even be tackled with your friends. The AI is no slouch either, and it’s a fun title, especially if you don’t want to sweat online.
Fantasy Sports, SuperGiant Style
If you’re open to aPvE experienceas an alternative toRocket League, you may find a lot to enjoy inPyre.
Pyreis a story-driven title by Supergiant Games, the studio behindHades. The title makes the list because the gameplay focuses on afantasy sport that isn’t dissimilar to basketball.
The goal is to dunk a glowing orb into your opponent Pyre (goal) while fighting for possession as you battle up the field.
The gameplay is pretty intuitive, and thestory continues even if you lose matches,so you can’t get stuck anywhere. If you go into this imaginative sports title with an open mind, it can keep you entertained for several playthroughs, and there are multiple endings to boot.
While the gameplay is pretty far removed fromaPvP sweatfest, it still feels rewarding when you secure a win in a tense match.
5Party Animals
When It’s Time To Party, We Will Party Hard
Party Animals
Party Animalsis a deceptively deepphysics-based multiplayer gamewith dozens of minigames, including several themed around football.
You play as an adorable fluffy animal with a mean streak and compete in an impressively diverse pool of activities. As with any good party game, there is a fair bit of randomness involved, butParty Animalsrequires just enough nuance that it’ssurprisingly competitive.
Mastering the physics (which are janky by design) will take time, but it’s clear that the developers at Recreate Games wanted to craft somethingmore complex than a mindless button-masher.
Besides the fun gameplay, there’s a satisfying unlock system for new animals and cosmetics.
Many ‘minigame’ centric titles sadly seem to die off pretty quickly, butParty Animalsshows no sign of stopping and has held a comfortable player count since its inception.
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4Rocket Racing
Take Your Skills Onto The Racetrack
Rocket Racingis an obvious choice if you want a break fromRocket League, asrewards you earn in one title can often be used in the other.
If you’re unfamiliar,Rocket Racingis a driving game accessible throughFortnite, much likeLEGO Fortnite. The title is technically just a mode insideFortnite, but there’senough content to mention it.
Rocket Racingboasts a gorgeousselection of gravity-defying tracksand even shares many mechanics withRocket League. you’re able to still boost, and wall ride and a ranking system puts you against opponents of a similar skill level.
AsEpic owns both games, there are some overlapping rewards, which are always nice bonuses.
Yes, This Is Real
Key Information
Meta, Steam VR, PSVR2
Release Date
March 2023
As a huge fan ofVR gaming, I was waiting for an excuse to talk about this one.
Nockis abizarre VR sportstitle that is essentiallyRocket Leaguein many ways. You play in a football-field-styled arena, and the goal is to land the ball in your opponent’s net. The big difference is that you play as a nondescript gummy-man and havea bow and arrowinstead of a car.
It’s no secret thatarcheryis incredibly satisfying in VR, and you canchannel your inner Legolasto manipulate the ball with your volleys of arrows.
It sounds ridiculous, butNockdoes so many things right.The skill ceiling is incredibly high, but the core gameplay is accessible. You always know what’s going on, and it has all the hallmarks of a successful sports title, just with a hardware restriction.
2Slapshot: Rebound
A Hidden Gem
Oddshot Games
April 2024
I rarely hear anyone talk aboutSlapshot: Rebound, which is a shame because it’s a unique take onphysics-based sportsthat is entirely free to play!
Slapshot: Reboundis acharming hockey gamethat demands a precise hand to control the puck. LikeRocket League, there’s no magic ‘shoot’ button, and the puck’s momentum is determined by how it collides with your character model or stick.
It’s as skill-based as it sounds, and thegameplay is surprisingly addictivewhen you start to get good at it. There are also several mini-games if you want a break from the core gameplay. If you can round up a few friends and learn how to play together,Slapshot: Reboundis a ton of fun, and there’s a ‘Premium Lifetime’ version that you can use to support the developers.
1Trackmania
A Limitless Skill Ceiling
TrackMania
One of the greatest allures ofRocket Leagueis how it caters to all skill levels. Beginners can enjoy just playing “football with cars,” while advanced players can spend countless hours mastering aerial tricks.
Trackmaniais a racing game at its core, withthousands of tracksranging from simple speedways to gravity-defying monstrosities. There’s no collision, so racers compete for times and leaderboard positions. Players can also enjoy aspicy track editor, which is among the best in the business.
Anyone of any skill level will enjoy climbing the ranks, andcompetition is fiercewhen you have a few tricks under your belt. If you’re after acar-based game that rewards dedicationand mastery of its mechanics,Trackmaniais arguably the best alternative toRocket League.
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Walkabout Mini Golf and Gran Turismo 7 highlight the list of best sports video games on PS VR2.
