{"id":43123,"date":"2018-08-27T15:02:23","date_gmt":"2018-08-27T15:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pockettactics.com\/guides\/best-sports-games-apps\/"},"modified":"2018-08-27T15:02:23","modified_gmt":"2018-08-27T15:02:23","slug":"the-best-sports-manager-games-on-ios-and-android","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2018\/08\/27\/the-best-sports-manager-games-on-ios-and-android\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Sports Manager Games on iOS and Android"},"content":{"rendered":"

The summer of sport may be drawing to a close, but for many of us the season will start anew on our favourite handheld device. There seems to be no better time to check out the best sports manager games that mobile gaming has to offer.<\/p>\n

Not a sports person?\u00a0Perhaps you’ll enjoy this list of great puzzle games instead!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Better still, armchair sports fans can chill out and enjoy this cerebral selection of sporting simulations without breaking into a sweat. Whether you’r on iOS or Android, a Soccer sycophantic or a Motorsport maniac, we’ve got you covered.<\/p>\n

Football Manager Touch 2018 (Review<\/a>)<\/h2>\n

Developer:<\/strong>\u00a0SEGA
Platforms:<\/strong>\u00a0iPad<\/a>, Android<\/a>
Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$19.99<\/p>\n

\"fmtouch<\/p>\n

There is no shortage of mobile football management games clamouring for attention, but the pedigree of the Football Manager<\/em> series is difficult to argue with. The games predate Ars\u00e8ne Wenger\u2019s appointment as Arsenal manager and have even been\u00a0recognised by professional football clubs as a\u00a0valuable source for scouting new players. The Touch<\/em> games offer a\u00a0more accessible take on the PC version, with an interface specially designed\u00a0for tablet devices.<\/p>\n

However, this is still a rich and complex simulation with masses of information and options at your fingertips. If you find this just too overwhelming then you can delegate duties, such as training, to your assistant.\u00a0\u00a0As well as the obligatory player roster updates, the latest version has\u00a0further refined the interface to ensure that information is presented in a more streamlined fashion. There is also a cheaper and even more pared down mobile version for those that prefer to play on their phone rather than tablet.<\/p>\n

Motorsport Manager Mobile 3 (Review<\/a>)<\/h2>\n

Developer:<\/strong>\u00a0Playsport\u00a0Games
Platforms:<\/strong>\u00a0iOS Universal<\/a>, Android<\/a>
Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$3.99<\/p>\n

\"Motorsport<\/em><\/p>\n

This series scores an easy pole position in the motorsport management genre, and the latest instalment is the best looking and most feature-rich yet. For a sport game on mobile devices, this is achingly beautiful, especially the dioramic race tracks which are just so pretty. But the game has lots of substance as well as style with plenty to keep you busy as the principal of a motorsport team, including recruiting drivers, developing the best cars and investing in your facilities. Once the action switches to the track during qualifying and races you\u2019ll still have plenty of decisions to make on race strategy, car set-up and tyres.<\/p>\n

For the third game in the series Playsport Games has added six new championships across GT and endurance races, making it deeper than ever before.\u00a0As our four-star review suggested, MM3 does a great job of getting players emotionally invested in their teams, with a fine line between winning and losing \u201cA game made up of so many small decisions and menus allows for a surprising amount of excitement. Watching those small dots speed around the screen may not give the surge of pleasure a standard racing game would, but watching your team secure a win, leading to a championship is genuinely wonderful.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Cricket Captain 2018<\/span><\/h2>\n

Developer:<\/strong> Childish Things Ltd
<\/span>Platforms:\u00a0<\/strong> iOS Universal<\/a>, Android<\/a>
Price:<\/strong> \u00a38.99<\/p>\n

\"cricket<\/span><\/p>\n

This series has been around on mobile devices for several years, but without much fanfare, despite being well received by players. Perhaps cricket is more of a niche interest than other sports, particularly among European or American gamers, but this is a must-buy if you are fan of hearing leather on willow. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cricket management is a very narrow genre, but this game is unrivalled in it with its deep, accurate and comprehensive simulation. Very much the Football Manager<\/em> of cricket games with its attention to detail, this is packed with features, stats and tactical options that should keep virtual cricket captains happy for many hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Football Chairman Pro<\/span><\/h2>\n

Developer:<\/strong> Underground Creative
<\/span>Platforms:<\/strong>\u00a0iOS Universal<\/a>, Android<\/a>
Price:<\/strong> \u00a32.99<\/p>\n

\"f<\/span><\/p>\n

Not so much Championship Manager<\/em> as Chairmanship Manager<\/em>. This simple but satisfying simulation puts you at the head of the table in the boardroom rather than being in the manager\u2019s office or dugout. Instead of being the football manager going to the chairman asking for extra funds or more time to build you squad, you are the chairman who makes the decision on the hiring and firing of your club\u2019s manager. If you get that decision right, along with sponsorship deals, stadium development, transfers, contracts and more, you\u2019ll be able to turn your little non-league football team into a major force.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a more basic, quick-playing game than, say, Football Manager but its fast pace allows you to whizz through seasons in minutes and hours rather than days and months, making it great for short sessions on the commute. Despite the simplicity and less detail, it\u2019s still got plenty of choices for you to make as the big boss, and enough addictive power to keep you coming back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Baseball Highlights 2045<\/h2>\n

Developer:<\/strong> Peter\u00a0Kossits
Platforms:<\/strong>\u00a0iOS Universal<\/a>, Android<\/a>
Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$3.99<\/p>\n

\"Baseball<\/p>\n

As its name suggests this clever card came condenses baseball matches into short bite-sized 10-minute matches. If you are looking for realism then I suggest you move on as this futuristic take on America\u2019s favourite sport has a player roster that\u00a0includes robotic and cybernetic players. An entire game consists of each player only playing a total six cards, but it still manages to pack in a lot of tough decisions and tension. On your way to the World Series you get to draft new players into your hand, which gives the whole experience a pleasing bubble-gum card collecting nostalgia.<\/p>\n

Punch Club<\/h2>\n

Developer:<\/strong>\u00a0tinyBuild
Platforms:<\/strong>\u00a0iOS Universal<\/a>, Android<\/a>
Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$4.99<\/p>\n

\"Punch<\/p>\n

This may not be a sports sim in the strictest sense of the word,\u00a0but if you are interested in a boxing-themed game with lashings of 1980\u2019s nostalgia then Punch Club<\/em> rings all the right bells. You embark on a Rocky-style quest of vengeance by setting up fights, whilst juggling your work and social life.\u00a0\u00a0It is a game that takes more than its graphical sensibilities from the 1980\u2019s, being tougher than Apollo Creed. This means that you will be doing more grinding than a dirty dancing\u00a0barista. However, it is still a fine game that is well worth checking out.<\/p>\n

New Star Cricket<\/h2>\n

Developer:<\/strong>\u00a0New Star Games
Platforms:<\/strong>\u00a0iOS Universal<\/a>, Android<\/a>
Price:<\/strong>\u00a0Free, Offers In-App Purchases<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

A cricketing themed follow up to New Star Football<\/em> that is perfect for those who prefer the thwack of willow on leather. You begin your career with a lowly club in your favourite cricketing nation.\u00a0\u00a0Each season you will compete in both 20 and 50 over competitions. Perform well and famous clubs will be queuing up for your signature, you may even get an international call-up. The game does not stray too far from the winning formula of its forbearer. A series of mini-games enable you to improve your skills and have an impact on matches at key points. Gameplay is as equally satisfying in bite-sized spells as it is in marathon sessions, which makes for an ideal mobile game that will have you padding up and heading out to the middle time and time again.\u00a0<\/p>\n

MLB Manager 2018<\/h2>\n

Developer:<\/strong>\u00a0OOTP Developments
Platforms:<\/strong>\u00a0iOS Universal<\/a>, Android<\/a>
Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$4.99<\/p>\n

\"MLB<\/p>\n

A realistic management simulation that is based on the well\u2013established Out of The Park\u00a0<\/em>Baseball<\/em> Series. You can choose to either guide your favourite team through the 2018 season onwards, play in a fictional baseball world, populated with fresh players and clubs or even re-enact an historical season from days gone by. Management options are extensive; you set line-ups and call the shots as the game unfolds, negotiate contract, trades and drafts. The mobile version is not as complex as its big brother but still rather demanding. The latest version includes updated rosters and improved AI.<\/p>\n

While we realise our recent review<\/a> may throw into doubt MLB’s place on this list, to be honest there aren’t many decent Baseball apps out there, so for now at least MLB Manager\u00a0<\/em>retains its place here. OOTP’s main sin seems to be releasing the same game every time with little innovation, so make sure you do your research before deciding whether or not to buy this.<\/p>\n

1st & Goal<\/h2>\n

Developer:<\/strong>\u00a0R&R Games
Platforms:<\/strong>\u00a0iOS Universal<\/a>
Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$4.99<\/p>\n

\"1st<\/p>\n

Based on a popular board game,\u00a01st & Goal<\/em>\u00a0uses a combination of dice and cards to simulate the rough and tumble of American football. Opponents play cards to determine their offensive and defensive strategies and then dice are rolled to determine the outcome. The dice used will depend on the strategies selected.\u00a0 For instance, if the offensive team chooses a rushing play and their opponents choose a passing defence, then the\u00a0offensive team will have a big advantage. You can play a one-off exhibition match, compete in the play-offs or embark on a full season. Whatever you decide you will get a game\u00a0that sticks closely to its board game roots, with straightforward rules, together with tense bluff and double bluff gameplay.<\/p>\n

Pro Strategy Football 2018<\/span><\/h2>\n

Developer:<\/strong> Kerry Batts
<\/span>Platforms:\u00a0<\/strong> iOS Universal<\/a>
Price:<\/strong> \u00a34.99<\/p>\n

\"PSF<\/span><\/p>\n

Considering its popularity, football of the American variety feels very under-represented in games. There are a few arcade-y options and of course EA is present with the usual free-to-play butchering of a great game in the absurdly titled Madden NFL Overdrive Football<\/em>, but quality management games are few and far between.<\/span><\/p>\n

The one serious choice is the Pro Strategy Football<\/em> series, which once again delivered a very solid offering in its 2018 edition and is about to evolve into PSF 2019. It\u2019s a fun and playable coaching game but also accurate and realistic depending how deep you want to dive in. One of the best things about PSF is how flexible it is, so you can have a quick single match or a multi-season career and then on the field you play in beginner mode just choosing the type of play or expert mode in which you can micromanage every player\u2019s role.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a great game for novices who want to learn more about the complexities of gridiron and hardcore players who want to control every aspect of their team.<\/span><\/p>\n

What would your list of the best sports strategy\/management games on mobile look like? Let us know in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The summer of sport may be drawing to a close, but for many of us the season will start anew on our favourite handheld device. There seems to be no better time to check out the best sports manager games that mobile gaming has to offer. Not a sports person?\u00a0Perhaps you’ll enjoy this list of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":43124,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[70],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mobile-game-releases"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43123"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43123\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}