By Anthony Yates
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Rocket League is an industry phenomenon that has bridged the impossible gap between "sports" games and and an audience who would traditionally steer clear of the genre.
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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 to Rocket League which 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.
8 Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions
Who Needs A Car When You Have A Broom?

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OpenCritic Reviews- Top Critic Rating:66/100 Critics Recommend:24%
- Franchise
- Harry Potter
- Platform(s)
- PC , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Nintendo Switch
- Released
- September 3, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Unbroken Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Bros. Games
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op , Online Multiplayer
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Blood
- PC Release Date
- September 3, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- September 3, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- September 3, 2024
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- November 8, 2024
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
Quidditch is a fantasy competitive sport from the Harry Potter universe, trading cars or a traditional pitch for hoops and broomsticks.
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions makes the list because it has much in common with Rocket League. Matches are quick 3v3 bouts with the ultimate goal of scoring more points than your opponents.
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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 to Quidditch Champions is the player numbers are dwindling at the time of writing. There's a solid competitive game here 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 a paper mask of Hagrid. What's not to like?
For When PvE Is More Your Style

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OpenCritic Reviews- Top Critic Rating:68/100 Critics Recommend:40%
- Platform(s)
- Switch , PC , PS4 , Xbox One
- Released
- October 31, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Digital Dreams Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Digital Dreams Entertainment
- Engine
- Unity
- ESRB
- m
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Mutant Football League is a superb arcade sports title, and while there's not a massive player base these days, it still offers decent PvE content.
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Mutant Football League is a spiritual successor to Mutant League Football on 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 of violence and swearing, which can be tweaked to suit your preferences.
The online landscape is a wasteland, but Mutant Football League is still playable thanks to robust PvE modes that 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.
6 Pyre
Fantasy Sports, SuperGiant Style

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OpenCritic Reviews- Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:81%
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4
- Released
- July 25, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Publisher(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Engine
- MonoGame
- ESRB
- E For Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Tobacco Reference, Use of Alcohol
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Playable
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- How Long To Beat
- 11 Hours
- How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)
- 21 Hours
If you're open to a PvE experience as an alternative to Rocket League, you may find a lot to enjoy in Pyre.
Pyre is a story-driven title by Supergiant Games, the studio behind Hades. The title makes the list because the gameplay focuses on a fantasy sport that isn't dissimilar to basketball.
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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 the story 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 from a PvP sweatfest, it still feels rewarding when you secure a win in a tense match.
5 Party Animals
When It's Time To Party, We Will Party Hard

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OpenCritic Reviews- Top Critic Rating:76/100 Critics Recommend:70%
- Platform(s)
- PC , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- September 20, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Recreate Games
- Publisher(s)
- Source Technology
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer , Online Multiplayer
- Engine
- Unity
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence, Alcohol Reference
- How Long To Beat
- N/A
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 10 GB (November 2023)
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Number of Players
- 2-8
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Party Animals is a deceptively deep physics-based multiplayer game with dozens of minigames, including several themed around football.
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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, but Party Animals requires just enough nuance that it's surprisingly 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 something more 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, but Party Animals shows no sign of stopping and has held a comfortable player count since its inception.
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4 Rocket Racing
Take Your Skills Onto The Racetrack

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OpenCritic Reviews- Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:94%
- Platform(s)
- PC , iOS , Mobile , Xbox One , Android , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Switch
- Released
- July 25, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Epic Games
- Publisher(s)
- Epic Games
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- ESRB
- T for Teen - Violence
- X|S Optimized
- YES
- Metascore
- 78
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- Mobile, PC, PS4,PS5, Switch, Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S
- Split Screen Orientation
- Horizontal Only
- Number of Players
- 1-2
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- N/A
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Cross Save
- yes
- Cross-Platform Play
- Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
Rocket Racing is an obvious choice if you want a break from Rocket League, as rewards you earn in one title can often be used in the other.
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If you're unfamiliar, Rocket Racing is a driving game accessible through Fortnite, much like LEGO Fortnite. The title is technically just a mode inside Fortnite, but there's enough content to mention it.
Rocket Racing boasts a gorgeous selection of gravity-defying tracks and even shares many mechanics with Rocket League. You can still boost, and wall ride and a ranking system puts you against opponents of a similar skill level.
As Epic owns both games, there are some overlapping rewards, which are always nice bonuses.
3 Nock
Yes, This Is Real

Key Information | Details |
---|---|
Developer | Normal |
Platform | Meta, Steam VR, PSVR2 |
Release Date | March 2023 |
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As a huge fan of VR gaming, I was waiting for an excuse to talk about this one.
Nock is a bizarre VR sports title that is essentially Rocket League in 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 have a bow and arrow instead of a car.
It's no secret that archery is incredibly satisfying in VR, and you can channel your inner Legolas to manipulate the ball with your volleys of arrows.
It sounds ridiculous, but Nock does 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.
2 Slapshot: Rebound
A Hidden Gem

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Key Information | Details |
---|---|
Developer | Oddshot Games |
Platform | Steam |
Release Date | April 2024 |
I rarely hear anyone talk about Slapshot: Rebound, which is a shame because it's a unique take on physics-based sports that is entirely free to play!
Slapshot: Rebound is a charming hockey game that demands a precise hand to control the puck. Like Rocket 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 the gameplay is surprisingly addictive when 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: Rebound is a ton of fun, and there's a 'Premium Lifetime' version that you can use to support the developers.
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1 Trackmania
A Limitless Skill Ceiling

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OpenCritic Reviews- Top Critic Rating:74/100 Critics Recommend:65%
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- July 1, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Engine
- Maniaplanet
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- How Long To Beat
- 7 Hours
- Metascore
- 74
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
One of the greatest allures of Rocket League is 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.
Trackmania is a racing game at its core, with thousands of tracks ranging from simple speedways to gravity-defying monstrosities. There's no collision, so racers compete for times and leaderboard positions. Players can also enjoy a spicy track editor, which is among the best in the business.
Anyone of any skill level will enjoy climbing the ranks, and competition is fierce when you have a few tricks under your belt. If you're after a car-based game that rewards dedication and mastery of its mechanics, Trackmania is arguably the best alternative to Rocket League.
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Next
10 Best Sports Games On PSVR2
Walkabout Mini Golf and Gran Turismo 7 highlight the list of best sports video games on PS VR2.
- Video Games
- Rocket League
- Marvel Rivals
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