With EA’s longstanding Madden franchise finally launching on Google Stadia in Jan. 2021, it was yet another indicator that cloud gaming is here to stay. It’s also one more reason for potential or existing cloud gaming convert to make the cloud their primary gaming platform. Yes, FIFA still hasn’t made it to the cloud, but there are a lot of good sports games already on Google Stadia and NVidia Geforce Now. Here’s a list of eight of the best sports games in cloud gaming.
Madden NFL 21 (Stadia)
It can be a divisive game, even among its core community. Yet, it’s one of the essential sports titles that needed to come to the cloud in order to have any chance of getting a certain segment of gamers to make the cloud their platform of choice.
It’s an annualized franchise with “tick” and “tock” years. Madden NFL 21 is somewhere in between. The headlining feature this year is the expansion of superstar and X-Factor abilities, the latter of which is more disruptive and only unleashed after hitting certain on-the-field objectives.
While it’s not a “tock” year graphically for the cloud and PC ports, the in-game cinematics of Madden 21 looks phenomenal in 4K on Stadia.
Review scores: Metacritic 63%, OpenCritic 65%
GRID (Stadia)
Don’t get caught staring. GRID is yet another racing game that shines in 4K on Stadia, but this racing simulator with lots of little arcady safety nets to keep you on the road and in the action. The series mainstay Flashback feature gives you a few chances to rewind after a significant mistake and course correct. The AI is better in GRID than in some of the previous games, but you really want to avoid angering your AI rivals. Codemaster’s Nemesis system programs the AI to seek wreckless vengeance if you hit a drive too often.
Also, consider bringing a racing wheel along for this one, though veterans of racing games are likely to find gamepads more than adequate for this racer.
Platform: Stadia | Review scores: Metacric 74%, OpenCritic 76%
PGA Tour 2k21
While there’s of course press to sink tough shots, save par and hold your position on the leaderboard, there’s something so tranquil about 2K Sports’ golf sim PGA Tour 2K21. This game looks great in 4K on any screen, especially the big screen. And with PGA Tour 2k21’s split-screen co-op and PVP (versus), you can share its beauty with the rest of the party.
Possibly one of the game’s best features is its customization options. While plenty of other games offer player customization, there’s something much more personal about building a character for an individual sport rather than a team sport. You can also customize your own courses, clubs and contests. Even if you don’t enjoy watching golf or even playing it, this game can be an enjoyable experience that keeps nagging you softly, in the back of your head, to jump back in.
Platform: Stadia | Review scores: Metacritic 77%, OpenCritic 76%
Descenders (GeForce)
Waiting for a game like Session or Skate to hit the cloud? Keep waiting. It’s worth it, but check out Descenders in the meantime. Biking might not come to mind first when considering the best sports games in cloud gaming. But this downhill racing game is definitely worthy of inclusion.
Descenders gives you the freedom to freestyle as you descend through its procedurally generated tracks. Descenders’ physics system is more grounded than a Tony Hawk, but the pace and freestyle control of the game makes pulling off tricks much more rewarding.
Platform: GeForce Now| Review scores: Metacritic 78%, Opencritic 74%
NBA 2k21 (Stadia)
Yet another sports game that’s a stunner in 4K on Stadia, with the graphics cranked up by default. Some cloud gamers may feel a bit slighted because the version of the game ported to the cloud doesn’t include those little “next gen” facial improvements delivered on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X / S. Yet the 4K presentation, with the dynamic crowd enhancements max, will bringer you closer to courtside than most people have been able to get in over a year.
The on-the-court action is as good as ever in NBA 2K21. The ball handling physics has improved through the Pro Stick feature, which helps you direct shot and signature handling moves for more granular control over the offense. It all good, but one of the biggest complaints about the series remains: this game is brimming with microtransactions.
Platform: Stadia | Review scores: Metacritic 67%, Opencritic 68%
Ride 4 (Geforce Now)
If your mind ever wanders to cutting loose on city streets, floating on a super-tuned bike, then Ride 4 was designed for you. From Tsukuba Circuit in Japan to the tracks in the U.S., the U.K., the EU, South America and Australia, you can ride any of over 100 licensed bikes and compete against AI riders driven by the game’s neural AI, A.N.N.A. (Artificial Neural Network Agent).
Ride 4 features dynamic weather and a complete day/night cycle the combine to make for some truly breathtaking moments as you streak down streets and through turns. Speaking of the weather, here’s a minor damper. While the console version of the game is getting ray tracing, there’s been nothing official on the feature coming to GeForce Now. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t on the way. Plus, the lighting already looks great in Ride 4.
Platform: GeForce Now | Review scores: Metacritic 68%, OpenCritic 75%
F1 2020 (Stadia)
It shares a lot of similarities with Codemaster’s GRID, yet F1 2020 is certainly its own game and there’s plenty to distinguish the two. And as pretty as GRID is, some would say that F1 2020 is even more beautiful and realistic. We won’t take a side on that issue, but F1 2020 does feel more realistic from a control standpoint. And while a racing wheel is recommended, you can dial back the difficulty and switch on the safeguards for an easier, more arcady experience. In any case, if you’re looking for one of cloud gaming’s best racing games, here’s a great place to dive in.
Platform: Stadia | Review scores: Metacritic 88%, OpenCritic 88%
Super Mega Baseball (GeForce Now)
It’s not a simulator. It’s not licensed by the MLB. It’s not MLB the Show. what is, is a great baseball game that puts gameplay above all else. Don’t let the cartoonish graphics put you off. This game can be as relaxing and as challenging as you choose. There are lots of ways you can express command over your pitcher’s arsenal, including pitch type, velocity and accuracy. There are also powerups to augment the action, again, not a simulator. There’s a fully fleshed-out league here with 14 stadiums, a franchise mode and more. This game certainly deserves to be counted among the best sports game in cloud gaming
Platform: GeForce Now | Review scores: Metacritic 80%, OpenCritic 82%
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