Best Cricket Games

Highlights

Stick Cricket Super League offers a fun, casual cricket experience, perfect for beginners looking for a low-pressure game.
Don Bradman Cricket 17 stands out with customizable gameplay mechanics and an immersive simulation experience.
Cricket 22 redefines cricket sims with immersive gameplay, career mode, and realistic matches, making it one of the best cricket games available.

As a long-time cricket enthusiast who has spent countless hours in front of my TV screen and gaming console, I must say that the evolution of cricket video games has been nothing short of fascinating. From the early days of pixelated players to the highly realistic simulations we have today, it’s been a rollercoaster ride.

Across the globe, cricket is widely acknowledged as a beloved sport, even if its fame doesn’t reach the fever pitch seen in countries like England, Australia, or South Asia. Yet, its popularity spans far beyond these regions. Unfortunately, despite the excitement that the game generates, there aren’t too many video games that accurately portray cricket’s unique charm and spirit.

To put it simply, well-known franchises and gaming studios frequently release outstanding cricket video games, which keep the virtual cricket world thriving. Some of these games have become iconic within the cricket community and continue to be popular even though they’re older than many newer ones. Whether these games are highly successful or not, there are still several excellent cricket video games that provide an authentic sports gaming experience from your computer screen.

7 Stick Cricket Super League

Casual Cricket Sim Perfect For Beginners

Developers: Stick Sports
Released: 2016
Platform: Android, iOS

Small independent studio, named Stick Sports, is recognized for designing relaxed, entertaining sports games that span various sports such as cricket, football, tennis, and even street racing. They’ve earned a reputation for their lighthearted and casual approach to sports, making their games perfect for an enjoyable, stress-free gaming experience. Although their games may appear basic in appearance, the cricket games within the collection provide a full-fledged video game experience with numerous customizable options, offering a surprisingly deep and immersive playstyle.

In simpler terms, “Stick Cricket Super League” is a fun, simplified representation of the ICC Super League cricket tournament. This game lets you design your own stick figures – from looks to clothing – and choose a preferred team to manage. You can draft your squad, decide on roles, and even simulate the coin toss, giving you total control over your team’s performance on the virtual field.

6 Don Bradman Cricket 17

Big Ant Studios’ Official Breakthrough Into The Cricket World

Developers: Big Ant Studios
Released: 2016
Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

In the realm of sports video games, Big Ant Studios is a well-known figurehead, particularly within the cricket community, where they’ve garnered a loyal fanbase among international cricket enthusiasts. Kickstarting their success was their “Don Bradman” series, named after the legendary Australian cricketer, which marked the beginning of many more successful cricket simulations to come in the future.

Don Bradman Cricket 17 is the follow-up to its predecessor, Don Bradman Cricket 14, significantly improving upon its earlier version’s gameplay and mechanics. This sports simulation offers a dynamic experience with numerous customization options and distinctive playing mechanics that set it apart in the genre. The game boasts a realistic camera angle, reminiscent of helicopter shots, which is easily managed and adjustable. It also sports an accurate team selection system that feels authentic, and allows players to create and construct their own stadiums.

5 Brian Lara International Cricket 2007

A Classic Oldie

Developers: Codemasters
Released: 2007
Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360

Brian Lara International Cricket 2007, developed and released by Codemasters, is a classic cricket sim that gained significant popularity when it first launched. The game, like the previous installments, was released during the 2007 cricket World Cup and was named after the legendary Trinidadian batsman, Brian Lara (although the game had different names in different regions).

Although relatively ancient and less popular, Brian Lara International Cricket boasted several features far beyond its era. It provided a variety of authentic cricket modes, such as T20 matches, ODIs, Test matches, and even included a practice mode with nets. Furthermore, it offered comprehensive tutorials and introduced the sweep shot, a feature absent in earlier versions. However, what truly set this game apart was its online multiplayer option, allowing players to compete against each other online – a remarkable feat for a 2007 sports simulation.

4 Cricket 22

Game-Changing Title That Redefined The Future Of Cricket Sims

Developers: Big Ant Studios
Released: 2021
Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

“Cricket 22” serves as the official video game for the 2021 Ashes Series between England and Australia. It’s a follow-up to “Cricket 19,” and due to its recent release, it offers significantly enhanced graphics and gameplay compared to earlier versions. Although the Ashes Series takes center stage, the game also includes other significant tournaments such as the Big Bash T20, The Hundred, and the Caribbean Premier League. Moreover, this game is officially licensed, featuring a variety of well-known cricketers from around the globe, representing both men’s and women’s teams.

Cricket 22 transcends traditional sports simulations by offering an incredibly immersive gaming experience. It doesn’t just mimic cricket; it faithfully recreates it, but also provides a platform for players to embark on their own personal journeys and career paths. This includes press conferences, rigorous training sessions, managing injuries, and more. The gameplay is exceptional with its fine-tuned controls and high-stakes atmosphere, accurately replicating the intensity of a real cricket match. With a plethora of options and mechanisms, players can bring their unique playing styles to life within the game. Enhanced by engaging commentary, stunning graphics, and diverse playstyles, Cricket 22 stands out as one of the top cricket games currently available.

3 Ashes Cricket (2017)

A True-to-Life Ashes Series Experience

Developers: Big Ant Studios
Released: 2017
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows

Similar to Cricket 22, Ashes Cricket is an officially licensed cricket video game that mirrors the 2017-18 Ashes Series. Released in 2017, it stands out among other cricket games for its high level of realism and engaging gameplay. This game accurately portrays the essence of the Ashes tournament (for both men’s and women’s competitions) by incorporating fully motion-captured entire teams.

In the game of Ashes Cricket, it leans towards authentically representing cricket by centering around the primary teams: Australia and England. The game offers a wealth of customization options for players, including creating personalized characters, umpires, teams, and stadiums, which can be shared online with an extensive community. For dedicated cricket enthusiasts, Ashes Cricket provides an online mode where players can engage in real-time competition against others.

2 Cricket 24

Cricket 22 But Better

Developers: Big Ant Studios
Released: 2023
Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

In October 2023, Big Ant Studios’ latest addition to their Cricket series, named Cricket 24, hit the shelves. Unlike previous games that centered around a specific team or tournament, this one brings together all significant cricket events from the last ten years into a single game. Although the Ashes series is still a key aspect of the gameplay, tournaments like the Pakistan Super League also contribute significantly to the overall experience.

In essence, while Cricket 24 shares much in common with its predecessor, Cricket 22, it aspires to be the most authentic cricket video game experience. The key enhancement lies in its vast array of selectable teams and players. Boasting over 300 global players and approximately 50 official stadiums, the diversity here is striking. As for the core mechanics and camera work, they remain remarkably similar to Cricket 22 – a testament to the excellent foundation already established.

1 EA Cricket 2007

The Most Iconic Cricket Sim Ever Made

Developers: EA Canada, HB Studios
Released: 2006
Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2

In the world of cricket, there’s one game that carries near mythical prestige, and it’s not a recent release like “Cricket 24”. Instead, we’re talking about EA Sports’ last cricket game, “Cricket 07”. Although it might not meet the standards of today’s sports simulations, for its era, it was absolutely groundbreaking.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that even after all these years, Cricket 07 continues to stand out as one of the most legendary cricket simulation games around. What sets it apart is its expansive roster of tournaments and seasons, featuring everything from major international events to minor league matches and national competitions based on real-world countries.

2024-08-13 09:04