Best Cricket Video Games Ever Made: Ranked and Reviewed
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Cricket games spent most of the 2000s stuck in neglect. EA dropped the license after 2007, and for the better part of a decade the only options were mobile knockoffs and an aging PC classic kept alive by modders. Big Ant Studios changed that when it picked up the license, and the gap between “playable” and “actually good” has closed fast since.
The modern era: Big Ant Studios
Big Ant took over as the main developer in the 2010s and has shipped a run of titles that steadily improved on each other:
| Game | Platform | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Cricket 24 | PS4/5, Xbox, PC | The most complete edition yet, with better animations and a deeper career mode |
| Cricket 22 | PS4/5, Xbox, PC, Switch | Strong domestic licensing; the Ashes were included at launch |
| Ashes Cricket (2017) | PS4, Xbox, PC | A shaky launch but a solid reboot once patched; batting mechanics held up |
| Don Bradman Cricket 17 | PS4, Xbox, PC | A career mode deep enough that hardcore fans still rate it highly |
| Don Bradman Cricket 14 | PS3, Xbox 360, PC | The release that proved cricket games could be good again |
The EA era: classics that defined a generation
Before Big Ant, EA Sports made the games most cricket fans grew up on.
| Game | Year | Why it’s remembered |
|---|---|---|
| EA Cricket 07 | 2007 | Still played today thanks to its modding scene, which patched in new teams and kits for years after EA moved on |
| EA Cricket 2005 | 2005 | Solid gameplay backed by a strong commentary team |
| EA Cricket 2004 | 2004 | Introduced career mode and built a following across South Asia |
| Brian Lara Cricket 99 | 1999 | The PS1-era standard; dated now but genuinely good for its time |
Best mobile cricket games
Mobile cricket has grown into its own category rather than a stopgap between console releases.
- Real Cricket (Nautilus Mobile): realistic mechanics, multiple formats, and frequent updates that keep rosters current
- World Cricket Championship (WCC): especially popular in South Asia, with career and tournament modes that go deeper than most mobile sports titles
- Cricket Captain series: a text-based management sim for people who want tactics over graphics
What makes a great cricket game?
- Batting feel: timing mechanics that reward skill without punishing small mistakes
- Bowling variety: pace, swing, and spin that actually change how a batter has to respond
- Licensing: real teams, players, and tournaments instead of generic stand-ins
- Career mode: something to build toward beyond a single quick match
- Replayability: AI and pitch conditions varied enough that matches don’t blur together
Upcoming and recent releases
Big Ant has signaled it plans to keep investing in the franchise, and licensing deals with Cricket Australia and the ECB have made recent entries more authentic than anything from the EA years. The ICC’s broader licensing situation is still messy, which is part of why no single game has ever managed to secure every major board at once.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cricket video game right now?+
Cricket 24 and Cricket 22, both developed by Big Ant Studios, are widely regarded as the best modern cricket games, offering realistic gameplay, extensive licensing, and multiple formats.
Is Cricket 07 still worth playing?+
Yes — EA Cricket 07 has a cult following for its playability and modding community. It lacks modern visuals but remains enjoyable and is one of the most modded cricket games ever.
Are there cricket games on mobile?+
Yes. Real Cricket and World Cricket Championship (WCC) series are among the most popular mobile cricket games, offering realistic gameplay across Android and iOS.
Which company makes the best cricket games?+
Big Ant Studios is the leading developer of modern cricket games, behind the Cricket and Ashes Cricket series. Historically, EA Sports produced the much-loved Cricket 07, while Codemasters made the popular Brian Lara / Ricky Ponting cricket titles of the 2000s.
Do cricket games have official licences?+
Modern titles like Cricket 24 include official licences for some competitions, teams, and players, such as The Ashes and various boards, though full licensing across all international cricket is rare. Missing licences are often filled by the games' active modding communities.
Are cricket games realistic?+
Modern cricket games have become far more realistic, modelling shot selection, field placements, bowling variations, and match situations across formats. While no game perfectly captures the sport, titles from Big Ant Studios offer deep, authentic gameplay for dedicated cricket fans.
Why is EA Cricket 07 still popular?+
EA Cricket 07 endures because of its accessible, enjoyable gameplay and an enormous modding community that keeps rosters, kits, and tournaments up to date. Despite dated graphics, its playability and nostalgia have kept it a favourite among cricket gaming fans for years.
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