6 Best NFL and College Football Games for PC (2023 Edition)

Key Points

• Madden 24 is the best NFL football game for PC, with new features and improvements in gameplay and franchise mode.
• NCAA Football 11 is the best choice for playing college football on a PC, with new mascots and a wide selection of teams.
• Zen GM Football Manager is a free web-based game that allows players to simulate seasons and manage football teams.
• Axis Football 2023 is a hybrid game that combines old-school Madden gameplay with franchise mode, available on all major platforms.
• Football Simulator is a physics-based game on Steam that adds a comedic twist to the classic game of football.
• NFL Blitz 2000 is an arcade-style football game with fast-paced action and multiplayer modes.

Football has been a staple on consoles since the early versions of Madden, but the best NFL and college football games for PC can be harder to find. Sports games have never been as popular on computers as consoles, making finding good games challenging. If you’re a PC gamer in need of some serious pigskin action, we found six games that will scratch that itch. 

1. Madden 24

The best way to enjoy NFL football on a PC is with Madden 24. EA’s latest installment in the long-running franchise is available on current and last gen consoles along with a release for Windows PCs.

Madden took a decade off from the PC world before returning to the platform in 2019. Madden 24 marks the 6^th game in the series since it relaunched for computers. There are some annual changes, so it’s set to arrive with a slew of new features. That includes new moves and animations like dive throws and scoop tackles. The AI has improved, and there are changes to the mechanics through skill-based passing.

Franchise mode has also been revamped (to a degree) in Madden 24. Training camp is back, and there are new ways to relocate your favorite team. There are also talent trees for coaches and even more mini-games. It’s supposed to bring more depth this year, which is something fans have wanted for decades. Free Agency 2.0 and new draft generators highlight changes in this mode. 

While the jury is still out on Madden 24 and how it will stack up against last year’s game, it’s available to order in multiple formats. The PC port will launch again this year through the Epic Games Store, along with Steam and Windows through the EA app. Check out Madden 24 on Steam.

Best Overall

Madden NFL 24 Standard - Origin PC [Online Game Code]

$69.99

• Anatomically accurate player skeletons deliver true-to-life motion
• The newest iteration of FieldSENSE enhances gameplay
• New gameplay mechanics on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
• Improved AI for more realistic action
• Players can connect with others cross-platform, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

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09/26/2023 01:53 am GMT

2. NCAA Football 11

NCAA 14 has long been regarded as the best college football game to ever exist. Unfortunately, it was never released for PCs, and you can’t find any NCAA classics for the platform. If you still want to relive this classic on a desktop or laptop computer, NCAA Football 11 is the best choice for most gamers. 

NCAA Football 14 was the last NCAA sports game produced by EA Sports. Used copies of this game still bring a premium price for older consoles. Emulation through a PS3 on a PC is not something everyone can pull off, however. NCAA Football 11 was a bit earlier, but it was much easier to emulate on PCs with amazing programs like PCSX2. 

As for the game itself, NCAA Football 11 introduced new mascots, gang tackling, and a wealth of improvements from the previous generations. The teams and their fight songs are the stars of the show, however. You can play with 120 college teams in the game. You can also try Road to Glory as a high school senior on their way to the NFL. 

Unless you have an older console lying around, NCAA11 is the best way to play college football on any PC. Older versions of NCAA are also playable through emulation on PCs, whether you’re a fan of NCAA 06 or the classic Bill Walsh titles. 

3. Zen GM Football Manager

The best NFL and college football game for PC gamers who love to simulate seasons is Zen GM Football Manager. While you can’t use a hit stick to play this game, it allows you to simulate decades of football or replay seasons with classic teams. 

Zen GM Football Manager is unique compared to other games on our list. It’s completely free, there is no traditional gameplay, and it’s a web-based game. There’s an Android app, although this game is built for the web. Football Manager puts players in the role of a GM, and you’ll have to handle everything from trades and the salary cap to career-ending injuries. 

Part of the draw of this game is customization. You can add players, adjust ratings, and set up new teams or leagues. The community is also active, so there are plenty of current rosters alongside classic ones from the 50s. You can set up a league with the 1985 Bears and 2022 Chiefs or take over a current franchise to see how you’ll perform as the general manager. 

Football Manager is the dynasty mode Madden fans have dreamed of and the type of game that will keep you coming back for more. There’s no gameplay, just simulation. The game is built for speed and statistics — not graphics. You can play Zen GM Football Manager through their official site, just clear up some free time beforehand, as it’s incredibly addictive. 

4. Axis Football 2023

Axis Football is a franchise that’s made waves with hardcore NFL fans in recent years. It’s a hybrid game reminiscent of old-school Madden, but it’s designed for new audiences on various platforms. That includes PCs where you can create and manage the team of your dreams.

While Axis Football is a simulation game, the focus is on building a franchise, and there’s actually on-field action. That’s something that’s vastly improved with the latest version of the game. Player motions are more fluid, whether throwing or tackling, and while the teams aren’t real, the stadiums bring plenty of atmosphere to the game. 

Watching the gameplay gives you the vibe of classic Madden games, but franchise mode is where the action is. From sending out scouts to managing your training facilities, there’s a wealth of depth in Axis Football 2023. Mods bring new things to the table on PC. It’s also the only title on our list that’s available on all major platforms. You can play Axis on the PC, but it’s also available for the PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and mobile devices. 

Axis football has been around for years, but the latest version is one of the best NFL and College Football Games for PC. It’s the best football game outside of Madden with graphics and it has a franchise mode, even if you can only call in the plays. While it can be glitchy, it’s also incredibly impressive, given the small team of developers at Axis Games.

5. Football Simulator

Don’t let the name of this game fool you. Football Simulator is an early-access PC game on Steam that puts a new twist on the classic game of football. The rules haven’t changed, but Refactor Games has produced a game that will leave you in stitches from the first snap.

Football Simulator is a physics-based game similar to Octodad or Goat Simulator. While that may seem like an odd combo, it’s a blast and one of the few times you’ll actually enjoy instant replays. Each time the ball is snapped, you never know what will happen. You can have referees getting pancaked by players or completed passes that take several bounces on the ground before finding their target. 

As a bonus, Football Simulator lets you step into the role of the coach and wander around — literally. You can pick up plays and take on mini-games, but you can also tackle random fans. As everything is physics-based, the results are comical and insane to watch. That’s where the replay and highlight system comes into play, adding even more depth to this quirky football game. 

We’ve seen countless ragdoll physics games over the years, including titles with sports settings. Football Simulator is on a completely different level and a total blast whether you love football or wacky games. The early access version is well worth the $19.99 price tag, and future versions will add features like VR support. 

6. NFL Blitz 2000

There was a brief time when over-the-top sports games like NBA Jam were extremely popular. NFL Blitz was one of the football equivalents of that popular title, and it’s also one of the best NFL and College Football Games for PC.

NFL Blitz 2000 is the third game in the franchise and the last to find its way to PCs. It’s an arcade-style football game with an emphasis on action and quick plays, which still holds up well today. Attacking players in Blitz is just as common as getting a 1^st down. You also won’t have to worry about subs or deep management with this game. 

You may not get the same depth from Blitz 2000 as other games on our list, but it’s the perfect multiplayer game. Arcade mode is a blast, and you can play through an entire schedule with Season Play mode. Tournament mode is also a nifty addition, with up to eight teams in a winner-take-all football tournament. 

Blitz 2000 wasn’t a massive upgrade over the original, but it’s the best way to play the most current PC version of the game without an emulator. If you have a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 lying around, you can pick up the last version of the game from 2012, which was simply called NFL Blitz. 

A Fast-Paced Classic

NFL Blitz 2000

$55.00

• Officially licensed game with 31 NFL teams
• New offensive and defensive plays
• Multiple modes of play
• Used

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09/26/2023 02:28 am GMT

The Wrap-Up

There has been no shortage of PC sports games over the years, but only a few have involved NFL football. In fact, Madden is still the only officially licensed game from the league for computers, and most hardcore Madden players stick to a console. When you’re ready to take a break from the gridiron, check out our list of the best sports games of all time.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©EKKAPHAN CHIMPALEE/Shutterstock.com.