Breaking Down the Best Soccer Video Games of All Time

27 June 2025

If you’ve ever shouted “GOOOAAALL!” alone on your couch at 2 A.M., then we’re probably cut from the same cloth. Soccer video games have captured the hearts of fans for decades. Whether you were scoring screamers on your PlayStation 2, dribbling past defenders using nothing but your keyboard and hopes, or adjusting your tactics mid-match like a true Mourinho-in-the-making, soccer games are more than just button-mashing—they're passion, nostalgia, and straight-up fun.

In this deep dive, we’re breaking down the best soccer video games of all time. Not just the “oh yeah, I’ve heard of that one” titles, but the ones that truly left their mark. From cult classics to modern masterpieces, it's all here. Buckle up, grab your virtual cleats, and let’s kick things off!

Why Soccer Games Hit Different

Before we go sprinting straight into the list, let’s ask the question: why do soccer games connect with so many people?

Well, soccer is the global sport. It doesn’t require extravagant gear or even a proper field—just a ball and some imagination. That same spirit leaks right into our screens. Whether you're living in a small apartment in Tokyo or a dorm room in Madrid, a soccer game brings friends together (and sometimes tears them apart, thanks to that rage-inducing last-minute goal).

Soccer games represent more than gameplay; they’re time capsules of football culture, evolution, and fandom.

1. FIFA Series (Especially FIFA 10, 14, 17, and 23)

Let’s be honest—when you think of soccer video games, FIFA is probably the first name that pops into your head. And for good reason.

🕹️ The Legacy

Started all the way back in 1993, the FIFA franchise has become the go-to series for both casual kickaround fans and competitive eSports players. Every year, it reinvents itself (sometimes just barely), but there are a few standout editions that truly reshaped the game.

💥 FIFA 10: The Breakthrough

With responsive controls and smoother gameplay mechanics, FIFA 10 felt like the first time the franchise found its footing (pun totally intended). It introduced real football strategies and a Career Mode that sucked you in for hours.

⚽ FIFA 14: Fluid, Real, Immersive

The physics and animations? A leap forward. FIFA 14 made you feel like you were actually on the pitch. The first-touch control actually mattered, and the AI wasn’t just running in circles anymore.

🔥 FIFA 17: The Journey Begins

This was the year EA Sports added a cinematic story mode: The Journey. You played as Alex Hunter trying to make it big. It wasn’t just about goals; it was about growth, emotion, and narrative—something most sports games ignore.

✨ FIFA 23: The End of an Era

As the last installment before the franchise transitioned away from the FIFA branding, FIFA 23 went out with a bang—cross-play support, enhanced realism, and female club teams incorporated. It was the polished crown on a legacy of greatness.

2. Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) / eFootball Series

If FIFA is the glitzy Premier League, PES was the gritty, tactical Serie A. Less flash, more brain.

🎮 PES 6: A Cult Classic

PES 6 might not have had the major licenses or big marketing budgets, but boy, did it have gameplay. It was fast, skillful, and felt so different. The dribbling was buttery smooth, and teamwork genuinely mattered.

It was football stripped down to its essence. You didn’t need fancy licenses when the game was that fun.

🧠 The Tactical Masterclass

PES always demanded smarter play. Positioning was crucial, timing your run was everything, and scoring a goal felt earned. Unlike FIFA, where sometimes goals came too easily, PES made you work—and that made it satisfying.

🚨 Transitioning into eFootball (uh-oh?)

In recent years, Konami tried to pivot PES into eFootball, a free-to-play title. Let’s be honest: the launch was… rough. But the core PES DNA is still buried in there somewhere, and Konami has been working to patch things up.

3. Football Manager Series

Alright, this one's for the thinkers. If FIFA is arcade soccer, and PES is tactical gameplay, Football Manager is the actual brain behind football.

🧠 Not For The Faint of Heart

You’re not controlling players here—you’re making decisions. Lineups, training schedules, transfer negotiations, press conferences. If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “I could run this club way better,” then FM is your destiny.

🏆 Addictive Doesn’t Even Cover It

Start a save at a third-division Swedish club, work your way up, and 12 hours later you’ve skipped dinner, haven’t showered, and you’re in the Champions League final. Yeah, it’s that immersive.

Football Manager transforms the idea of what a soccer game can be. There’s no instant gratification here. Success comes slow, hard-earned, and incredibly fulfilling.

4. Sensible Soccer

Let’s rewind to the early '90s. Long before FIFA ruled the globe, there was Sensible Soccer.

🕰️ Retro Vibes

Top-down view, tiny players, arcade-style action—and yet, it was revolutionary. The controls were snappy, the pace was breakneck, and it was perfect for couch gaming with friends.

🤩 Why It Was Special

Sensible Soccer captured the chaos and joy of street football. No fancy graphics, just pure, undiluted fun. It was easy to pick up, impossible to master.

For many gamers, this was love at first joystick.

5. Rocket League (Yes, Kind Of a Soccer Game)

Okay, hear me out. Rocket League is cars playing soccer. Wild? Yes. Authentic? Not exactly. But soccer? You bet.

🚗 Soccer Meets Fast & Furious

Rocket League isn't just a gimmick—it’s one of the most mechanically deep games out there. The aerial plays? The boost management? It’s like combining Messi with a nitro-powered racecar.

🌐 Global Phenomenon

It's become an eSports behemoth, with a community that’s faithful, competitive, and constantly evolving. While it’s not traditional footie, it carries the spirit of soccer—teamwork, goals, strategy, and lots of screaming.

Rocket League proves that soccer can shine in the most unexpected forms.

6. Mario Strikers Series

Yeah, we had to include Mario and the crew. Because sometimes soccer should be downright ridiculous.

🎉 Wacky, Wonderful, Wild

In Mario Strikers, it’s not just about goals—it’s about power-ups, over-the-top tackles, and pulling off special moves that break every rule of the real sport. But it’s all in good fun.

👨‍👩‍👧 Perfect for All Ages

This series turned soccer into a party game. Whether you're playing with your little cousin or your longtime gaming buddy, it offers a kind of chaotic joy few games can match.

7. This Is Football

Not as famous, but still worthy of a mention. This Is Football deserves a nostalgic high five.

💎 Hidden Gem

During the PS1 and PS2 era, This Is Football offered a fresh alternative. It had different camera angles, gritty gameplay, and even the option to dive (yep, simulated diving!).

It wasn’t perfect, but it tried. And sometimes, trying is enough to make an impression.

What Makes a Soccer Game Great?

Let’s ask the real question: what makes a soccer game stick in your memory?

🎮 Gameplay First

No matter how many licenses or jaw-dropping graphics a game has, gameplay is king. If it doesn’t feel right, it won’t last. The best soccer games nail that perfect balance between realism and fun.

⚙️ Innovation

Whether it's introducing a story mode (FIFA 17), a truly customizable manager experience (Football Manager), or rocket-powered cars (Rocket League), game-changers stand out.

💬 Community Matters

Let’s face it—soccer games are best with friends. Whether it's cooperative seasons, online tournaments, or career modes shared over beers, the social experience elevates the game.

Honorable Mentions

Because even a list this long couldn’t fit every legend, here are some honorable shout-outs:

- ⚽ Kick Off – Old-school magic from the ‘80s that paved the way.
- 🎮 Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions – Anime meets soccer with insane flair.
- 🐐 New Star Soccer – Build a player’s life from nothing to superstardom on mobile or PC.
- 🧠 Soccer Story – A newer indie RPG take on soccer that’s surprisingly charming.

Final Whistle Thoughts

Soccer video games are a special breed. They reflect our love for the beautiful game, but in our own unique way—on controllers, keyboards, and consoles. Some of us love tactics and simulations. Others crave fast-paced fun. Some want realism; others just want to watch Luigi score a bicycle kick over Bowser.

Whatever flavor you enjoy, there’s a soccer game out there that’s made just for you.

So go ahead, relive the classics, try out something new, or start that glory-chasing career mode you’ve been dreaming about. Who knows? Your best goal might still be waiting to be scored.