Gift guide: Best sports games of 2017 for the Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch

It's officially the holidays and that means it's time to start spending your money on gifts for other people. If you're surrounded by sports-loving gamers, there's no need to stress out on what to give them. Most sports games are multiplatform and this year, there are more than plenty of sports games across multiple platforms for you to choose from (or heavily suggest to someone else).

FIFA 18

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

Review: 8/10

FIFA is one of the biggest games around the globe. It combines fun gameplay with beautiful graphics and tons of content. Players have a variety of modes to choose from, if they like a good story, they can play The Journey. The Journey is a single player narrative-driven experience where players follow Alex Hunter, an up and coming soccer player attempting to make a name for himself in the world of soccer. If they’re more into playing outside of a somewhat linear story and want to build their own team of players, they’ll love the fan favorite Ultimate Team.

Ultimate Team is a great mode that sees you building your own personal team with real players with their actual stats. They can take their team online and challenge other teams or play cooperatively with their friends. There’s something for everyone in FIFA!

If they have a Nintendo Switch, FIFA has a competent counterpart on the console/portable hybrid. While it doesn’t have The Journey, it does have Ultimate Team and is a sufficient enough experience to add to your Switch library.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2018

Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, and PC

If the soccer fan in your life is more interested in a high-quality soccer gameplay experience, PES 2018 is the way to go. PES 2018 offers unparalleled gameplay and is the preferred game for many hardcore soccer enthusiasts in terms of having responsive and engaging mechanics. It does lack in the content department when compared to FIFA 18 but if you’re only going to play one mode anyway, you may want to play PES 2018 instead.

NBA 2K18

Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, and Nintendo Switch

The NBA 2K series is one of the best selling franchises out there and it’s critically acclaimed. It is the only basketball game out there right now and it manages to be one of the best sports games out there. NBA 2K18 combines both great gameplay with tons of content like a story mode, online competitive matches, and more.

Madden NFL 18

Platforms: Xbox One and PS4

Review: 8/10

We’re in the prime of the NFL season right now and by the time Christmas rolls around, we’ll be just weeks away from the Super Bowl. If you know someone who gets “passionate” about football every Sunday, Madden NFL 18 is the game you’re going to want to get them.

With an all-new single-player campaign titled Longshot, great additions to online play in the form of MUT Squads, and gorgeous graphics, Madden 18 is the ultimate football experience. Longshot follows former high school athlete Devin Wade attempting to make his way into the life of football but he’s lost his touch. Wade must overcome numerous obstacles through this deeply personal and emotional story which has been praised by critics all year.

Fans will also appreciate the teamwork heavy online mode, MUT Squads. The 3 v 3 mode allows for fun cooperative gameplay that makes players feel like they’re actually working as a team through proper communication and plays.

MLB The Show 17

Platforms: PlayStation 4

The baseball season may have just wrapped up but that also means the most recent MLB The Show game is super cheap! MLB The Show 17 may be a slightly updated version of 16 but it’s a simple, cheap, and great gift. Not to mention, MLB The Show is just a high-quality baseball simulator filled with thrills.