Saluting the best rugby-themed video games ever made

Getting behind smaller rugby clubs within your local area comes with a range of benefits that people all over the country are making the most of. However, when the real-life action is on hold, many fans of the sport dabble in it through a variety of gaming releases that have come to the fore.

 

Over the years, the rugby community has been treated to an abundance of releases, most of which impacted many fans’ lives during their younger years. These days, though, there is a shortage of top-notch rugby gaming experiences for fanatical fans to throw themselves into. Sure, Rugby Nations 26 is solid enough, but it struggles to compete with leading games from other areas, be it iconic products like Minecraft, top DraftKings slot games like Cash Eruption, or stunning puzzle titles like Monument Valley 2. As such, many rugby fans are pining for the glory days of rugby gaming.

 

With some truly memorable titles coming to the fore in the past, below we briefly salute some former favorites, some of which you might’ve even played yourself.

 

Jonah Lomu Rugby

 

As one of the biggest icons associated with the sport, Jonah Lomu has appeared in numerous products. However, his best work away from the pitch was arguably when he was the face of his beloved gaming release, Jonah Lomu Rugby. A title that hit the shelves in 1997, it’s actually still regarded by some as the finest rugby-themed gaming offering ever made. It’s easy to see why, with the title boasting a strong selection of teams to play as, its rucking aspect was nailed, and it served up a testing challenge many fans relished taking on.

 

EA Sports Rugby 08

 

If you were a gamer in 2008, then you probably stumbled across EA Sports Rugby 08 at times. This much-loved rugby title was played on both PC and the PlayStation 2 and it was viewed by many as the most alluring rugby simulation ever when it arrived. Not only did it have team and player licenses, but the title’s presentation felt ahead of its time, the gameplay was mightily impressive, and it was just highly pleasurable to pull off big tackles.

 

 

EA Sports Rugby 2001

 

Before the 2008 version of the game, EA Sports Rugby 2001 was the one to beat. This PC and PS2 hit had accurate passing physics, while its various on-field camera angles had never been seen before. A title millions undoubtedly fondly remember, EA Sports Rugby 2001 is a masterpiece.

 

International Rugby Challenge

 

Available to play on the Sega Mega Drive in 1993, International Rugby Challenge is a classic title many more senior members of the rugby fraternity will surely recall. This retro favorite can even be found online today, although you’ll have to use emulators to enjoy it. Still, if that feels like a step too far, the memories must surely stick. The game didn’t contain eye-catching graphics or intricate controls. Instead, gamers were treated to an all-action product filled with character.

 

Rugby World Cup 2011

 

There have been a number of masterpieces associated with the Rugby World Cup series of games, although not many of them come close to the 2011 version of the game. This undeniable classic shone on both the PS3 and the Xbox 360, as rugby purists immersed themselves in a game they helped to shape. With the game’s makers leaning on fans to help them develop the title, it felt like a game made by the community. From its crisp graphics to its exhilarating rugby-based action containing the famous names and teams from that particular era, Rugby World Cup 2011 was superb.