When I was little (well, even still to this day), whenever I wasn’t outside playing football, you would find me in my living room either watching football or playing a football game on my console. The passion and intensity I would feel when battling friends in tournaments or embarking into a long-fought career mode to take my favorite team to the top of the league were like I was playing the game in real life.
And today, the games on offer have only gotten better. With hyper-realistic graphics, varied gameplay modes and greater control over your players, as you curl in shots from 30 yards or make a last-ditch goal-line clearance to keep your team in the match.
But with many different soccer games, knowing which is right for you can be tricky. Whether you’re looking for a game with all your favorite teams and players or something wilder, where the official rule book is thrown well and truly out the window.
We’ve picked eight of our favorite football games on the Switch that will turn you into a goal machine in no time. But first, here’s our top three:
The Top 3 Football Games for Nintendo Switch
With plenty of games to choose from, we’ve included eight different options across different styles, gameplay modes and price ranges, so be sure to check out the full list below.
| Note: No doubt many of you will have headed to this page, eager to see your favorite NFL stars in a host of different games. But, sadly, that just isn’t the case, with American Football yet to take off on the Switch. That being said, one game is well worth mentioning: Mutant Football League Dynasty Edition |
The Best American Football Game: Mutant Football League Dynasty Edition
From tyrannical tackles to turbo touchdowns, Mutant Football proves to be a no holds barred game for fans of the ruthless nature of football.
While you may not be able to take on NFL GOATs like Tom Brady, (although you may notice some comical references to legends of the game), you instead play as souped-up mutant superstars, well-equipped to unleash ferocity and fury against opponents, either online with friends or in franchise mode as you battle to be the best.
| Recommended age: 18 years and above |
In essence, the game closely resembles the true American Football format. Allowing you to devise tactical plays and utilize your player’s skillset to overcome your opponent, with in-game play flowing freely, much like Madden. But what sets Mutant Football apart is its fun-filled matches where chaos can break out at any moment.
Players can turn to the dark arts to gain the upper hand, from classic cheat moves like bribing the referee to deploy outlandish obstacles, in which your linebacker transforms into a giant or an enormous worm is summoned to the field. All of which makes for a truly epic and original gaming experience.
What We Love:
❤️ No-rules nature is insanely fun
❤️ Dynasty Edition includes single-player franchise mode for in-depth game development
❤️ Stylistically unique, with awesome arcade graphics
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Violent gameplay means this probably isn’t the best option for younger kids
💔 Fans of the original Sega version may not enjoy it’s updated gameplay
The 8 Best Soccer Games for Nintendo Switch
1. Best Budget Option: Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Go for gold at the Tokyo Olympics as you pick your nation and compete for one of the highest accolades in football. This game boasts realistic graphics, lifelike motion and varied gameplay as you battle through the competition. When you’re all soccered out, you can also try your hand at one of the other 18 sports from the Olympics that come included in the game too.
| Recommended age: 10 years and above |
One of the aspects that makes this game stand out is its fun-filled approach to a sporting game. As you create your own Avatar athlete, you can customize your style in any way you wish (think of a sumo wrestler dressed as an astronaut, playing as a striker) and compete against your friends and family, while obtaining new skills as you play and battle to the top of the medals table.
What We Love:
❤️ Plenty of different sports and mini-games to keep you entertained
❤️ Fun approach with arcade feel in certain sports
❤️ Customizable characters and competitive gameplay make it a lot of fun
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Used strictly through button play rather than user-motion control
💔 May soon feel out of date with the Paris Olympics taking place next year
| 💡 Prefer Mario over Mbappe? Head to Tokyo with the Nintendo Team to face the ultimate sporting challenge with all your favorite characters. |
2. Best Option for Younger Kids: Street Power Football
While most football games stick to the standard green field, 11-a-side format that is true to the game, Street Power Football breaks the mold and ignores the rules to embrace the street soccer world. In this game, football can break out at any time and place. While scoring goals isn’t necessarily the main objective, playstyles include freestyle, panna battle, trick shots and even a story mode to complete as you show off your most impressive skills.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
As well as showing off your skills as you perform epic tricks, you can also show off your style with customizable characters as you sport the latest street styles and even devise your personalized celebrations. You’ll also find a killer soundtrack on this game, which is an awesome way to up the ante during skill showdowns.
What We Love:
❤️ Unique design makes this game a lot of fun
❤️ Varied gameplay keeps you coming back for more
❤️ Character development and customization add a different aspect to most other games
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Graphics are a little dated
💔 Gameplay controls are fairly simple, so maybe to easy for experienced players
3. Best Option for Older Kids: FIFA 23 Legacy Edition
For most gamers who enjoy football, the FIFA franchise is often considered the pinnacle. As one of the longest-running and most popular games going, EA Sports have developed FIFA 23 to offer the most realistic footballing gameplay on the Switch. As you move like Messi, dribble like Dembele or shoot like Salah to play with more control than ever.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
The Legacy Edition includes all the latest men’s and women’s teams from leagues worldwide. All of these appear in super realistic graphics so you can easily spot your favorite soccer star. There are also plenty of national and international competitions to sink your teeth into over a grinding career mode or even recruit legendary players from history to pit against friends’ teams online.
What We Love:
❤️ Great graphics and gameplay provide the closest footballing experience on the Switch
❤️ Licensed to include all your favorite teams, players, and kits
❤️ Varied playing modes allow you to get lost in the game for hours on end
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The gameplay on Switch is slightly different to other consoles
💔 May not appeal to younger players
| 💡 Looking for realistic gameplay for a budget price? Older versions, like FIFA 22 or FIFA 21, can often be found on sale. |
4. Nintendo Switch Sports
Taking the humble football game to a whole new level, Nintendo Switch Sports allows you to strap the controller to your leg to shoot, pass and dribble with the ball as though you were indeed out on the field. Switch Sports is the perfect option for getting you active while you play, but it will also challenge your skills and determination as you rise through the ranks and finesse your footballing ability.
| Recommended age: 10 years and above |
For those of you with fond memories of playing Wii Sports, then this is the perfect game for you. Advanced motion control and crisper graphics elevate Nintendo’s original incarnation even further. The fun doesn’t stop at soccer, either. Sports such as Golf, Volleyball, Bowling, Tennis, Badminton and Chambara are also available to keep the whole family playing together for longer.
What We Love:
❤️ Motion-activated controls make this football game unique
❤️ Great way to get active while playing video games
❤️ Widely loved by families and friends for its multiplayer gaming experience
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Game progression is pretty limited, so acts as more of a party or family game
💔 Only comes with one leg-strap so can be annoying switching over in between turns
| 💡 Got a budding goalkeeper in the family? Instant Sports can help polish their shot-stopping skills in no time. |
5. Mario Strikers: Battle League
What sets the Switch apart from its console rivals is its inimitable gaming style and an array of iconic characters. And that’s exactly what you’ll find in Mario Strikers: Battle League, as all you’re favorite characters don their boots and shinpads to get stuck into a game of exhilarating 5-a-side football that is sure to be a hit with both younger and older players alike.
| Recommended age: 10 years and above |
Although, as you might expect with a Mario-themed football game, nothing is quite as it seems. As in this footy match, anything goes. Whether carrying out a turbo tackle or super shot, you have to play to the extremes to get your team over the line and take the likes of Peach, Toad and Yoshi to glory.
What We Love:
❤️ Great multiplayer option, supporting 8 local players at once
❤️ Keeps you interested as you develop special skills and mod your players with different strengths
❤️ Fluid and fun gameplay
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Alternative style might not appeal to all
💔 Only includes ten characters to choose from
6. Football Manager 21
Think you know more than Moriniho? Or possess the gameplay of Guardiola? Then why not pit your wits against the very best in the ultimate tactical game of Football Manager. From scouting the next sensation to devising a grueling training regime for your team or even turning a game on its head with genius in-play tactics, this comprehensive strategy game is a must for football fanatics that think they know a thing or two about the strategy.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
This ultra-addictive game is known to take over lives (both young and old) as you rise through the leagues to take your team to glory, so be prepared to put in the hours along the way. Fortunately, Football Manager 21 has been specially redesigned for the Switch to streamline gameplay and offer more enhanced control, helping to ensure you stay in the hot seat for longer.
What We Love:
❤️ Deep-dives into the world of football like no other game
❤️ In-game layout looks great
❤️ Offers hours upon hours of gameplay that seemingly never gets old
What We Don’t Love:
💔 This game is all about strategy, so not a great option for those simply looking for a quick kick about
💔 Controls can be hard to grasp at first
7. Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions
The worlds of Anime and Football collide in this super fun take on the traditional soccer genre. Take on the mantle of Captain Tsubasa as he rises through the ranks of the footballing world to achieve true greatness. In classic Anime fashion, this football game is like no other. By mastering Tsubasa’s signature moves, whether thunderous tackles or spellbinding shots, you’ll enjoy this football game to the fullest.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
Spawned from the hit manga series, Tsubasa fans will instantly take to this game. But that’s not to say it appeals exclusively to existing fans. It’s fun and accessible theme, along with multi-faceted gameplay modes, including Versus (both online and local) and traditional Story mode offer plenty to get stuck into as you embark on your footballing journey.
What We Love:
❤️ Engaging storyline that will keep you hooked
❤️ Awesome arcade style graphics
❤️ Unique ‘super skill’ features makes gameplay more unique
What We Don’t Love:
💔 May seem a little OTT for players unfamiliar with the series or Anime games.
💔 Technically, the game can seem repetitive
8. Rocket League: Collector Edition
Last but not least, we wanted to throw out a special mention to the iconic Rocket League. Although this game is free to play through the Nintendo Store, we had to include the Collector’s Edition because it is so much fun as you dive in the driver’s seat, fire up your engines and aim for goal in this fast-paced, firepower arcade game. If you’ve not yet tried it, go and download it right now, and you’ll soon see what all the fuss is about!
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
For those of you that know and love the game, we know it needs no introduction. But if you hadn’t yet realized there was a Collectors Edition (that you can buy in physical copy), look no further. This special pack includes the previously released DLC packs, four all-new battle cars and a host of physical collectibles.
You’ll also find that the gameplay includes greater customization options and enhanced multiplayer modes, allowing four players to team up locally or take it online to expand their horizons even further.
What We Love:
❤️ Highly addictive and competitive gameplay
❤️ Explore the endless customizations to find your perfect ride
❤️ Offline and online gameplay
What We Don’t Love:
💔 On the expensive side
💔 Can be tricky to master the controls, which differ greatly from more traditional football games
A Few Common Questions About American Football & Soccer Games for Nintendo Switch
🙋 Why is Madden not available on the Switch?
A few rumors are circulating about why Madden isn’t available to play on the Switch, but ultimately it comes down to supply and demand. EA Sports holds the license to the official game of the NFL – Madden. Who seemingly can’t or don’t want to create a different version compatible with Nintendo’s hardware.
The most likely reason behind this is down to expected return. With many Switch users preferring the unique games available through Nintendo, it may seem to be too much of a stretch to expect a U.S-centric simulation game to have the same appeal all around the globe.
🙋 What are the best things to look out for in a football game?
For a football game to feel like the real deal, there are a few things that you should look out for:
- Fluid motion – long gone are the days of angular movement in sports games. Football games should allow your player to perform a range of free-flowing motion, sharp changes of direction and seamless bursts of speed.
- Range of teams or characters – Having wide-ranging choices will only enhance the game if you want to play as your favorite team or a specific player. Many options on the Switch are inventive and allow you to play as popular characters from other games, such as Mario, while others will enable you to develop and customize your player as the game goes on, which is great, too.
- Fun-filled gameplay – Not everyone will be instantly drawn to football games. So for it to be a hit, it needs to offer varied gameplay that allows you to pursue a campaign mode or take part in competitive matches against friends to keep players coming back for more.
So… What Football Game Should I Get?
Recommending a suitable football game is no easy task. Especially as no two gamers are alike.
To find the right one for you, ask yourself, am I looking for a realistic game where I can play as my favorite team? Then FIFA 23 is definitely the game for you. Would you prefer an awesome game to play with friends and family? Nintendo Switch Sports would be perfect. Maybe you’re crazy about all things Nintendo? Look no further than Mario Strikers. Or perhaps you’re a sucker for strategy? Then why not test your tactics on Football Manager 21.
As always, we try to include options for all on your gaming recommendation lists, but if you think we’ve missed something, be sure to let us know so we can share your favorite game with our other readers.
