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Who needs NBA 2K17? 5 alternative American sports games on mobile

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Who needs NBA 2K17? 5 alternative American sports games on mobile
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| NBA 2K17

NBA 2K17 hit the App Store and Google Play Store this week, and somewhat predictably, 2K's slick sports game has shot straight to the top of the US App Store chart.

But as a largely indifferent Brit, I've been enjoying an alternative mobile take on American sport. Blocky Hockey is a new game from UK developer Full Fat (Agent Dash, Flick Golf), and unlike 2K's immersive, serious sim, it's just right for a few minutes of light-hearted fun in between bus or train stops.

Which got me to thinking about all those mobile games that subvert or play with the established American sports.

Here's the lowdown on Blocky Hockey and four more alternative picks for those who like a little American sports razzle dazzle, but don't particularly care for the full NBA 2K17 sim treatment.

Blocky Hockey

As well as sounding great, Blocky Hockey's name tells you a lot about the game. There's plenty of Crossy Road in here, both in the Duplo-block visuals and the way your ice hockey player shifts lanes to avoid incoming defenders en route to goal.

When you get to the goal, the view zooms in, and you must pick your spot to shoot for goal. There are also screen-tapping fights and a cathartic 'on fire' mode that lets you plough straight through the opposition. Satisfying.

Gasketball

NBA 2K17 might model Steph Curry's jump shot to perfection (I really wouldn't know), but does it let you set up a crazy game of sci-fi HORSE with other players online?

That's essentially what Gasketball does. Pull off outlandishly daring trick-shots and dare your opponents to match them - then see if you can replicate theirs.

Backbreaker 2: Vengeance

One of the true classics of the iOS and Android era, Backbreaker 2: Vengeance distils American Football down to its essence - large armoured men crashing into each other at high speeds.

It's your job as the ball carrier to slalom, hurdle, and spin your way out of such a physical outcome, and race your way right into the end zone.

Homerun Battle 2

Another mobile classic, Homerun Battle 2 strips away all the boring stuff baseball (the non-ball-hitty bits) and leaves you with an arcadey delight.

Angle your phone to tilt the bat and tap the screen to swing away. It's a timelessly addictive mechanic, and it can be taken online against rival players to boot.

Grudgeball: Enter the Chaosphere

Okay, so Grudgeball isn't an actual sport. It's a fictional sport from The Regular Show, a popular Cartoon Network series. But as you've probably established by now, I really don't care that much about reality here.

Grudgeball: Enter the Chaosphere captures the spirit, theatre, bombast, and violence of American team sport wonderfully. It's also a really good game in its own right - an exotic mix of volleyball and dodgeball, where you must keep possession of the ball until you have enough power to smash your opponent in the face.
Jon Mundy
Jon Mundy
Jon is a consummate expert in adventure, action, and sports games. Which is just as well, as in real life he's timid, lazy, and unfit. It's amazing how these things even themselves out.