The 2026 Winter Olympics are here, and it’s safe to say that so is that always welcome Olympic spirit, which urges fans all over the world to tune in and watch as their representatives both compete for glory and show all what being an athlete truly means.
But after watching an event, it’s impossible not to feel inspired to try it out yourself, right? Even if from the comfort of your own home. For all looking to take on the slopes or enter the rinks, here are the best Winter Sports games to play in 2026, as well as where to play each of them.
Table of contents
Steep
- Release Date: December 2nd, 2016
- Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series, and PC
Starting with a sure hit, Steep pairs its still phenomenal presentation/ambiance with a straightforward gameplay that treads the line between arcade and simulation. Freedom is also a keyword here, a courtesy of the title’s wide range of mountains, tracks, and slopes. Just keep in mind that, even if featuring multiple modalities, the game trades the oomph that comes with trick-focused experiences in favor of one that relies on basking in the moment, be it via its amazing sights or the adrenaline that comes when reaching breathtaking speeds during a line.
Winter Games 2023
- Release Date: October 12, 2022
- Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch/2
The latest non-mobile title featuring non-mainstream Winter Olympic modalities, such as Biathlon, Super-G, and Skeleton, Winter Games 2023 offers a good selection for all tired of simply going down the slopes. But be warned, as the game’s lack of investment is palpable, which might make it underwhelming for those used to the treatment seen in the above. Nevertheless, its availability makes it the perfect pick for those looking to bask in the Olympic spirit.
Shredders
- Release Date: March 17, 2022
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC
Considered by many as the Skate of snowboarding games, given its simulation focus and intuitive controls, Shredders excels first and foremost through its physics and wide range of tricks. For example, you can actually grind here, something Steep has yet to add to its repertoire. That also means that racing isn’t at the core of the experience, with the game bringing forward a way more sandbox-like take where skill expression is the number one rule.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Nintendo Wii)
- Release Date: October 13, 2009
- Platforms: Nintendo Wii
Even if featuring a lower number of modalities when compared to Winter Games 2023 and its own 2014 sequel, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games brings to players both the perfect arcade/party experience and one of the best Winter Olympics video games ever made. After all, as its own figure skating minigame showcases, no one does the modalities justice like the duo. The title, however, is also the hardest to find within our list and can only be acquired in its physical form.
EA Sports NHL 26
- Release Date: September 12, 2025
- Platforms: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series
Although far from the franchise’s glory days, NHL 26‘s presentation and solid gameplay make it the premier pick for console players looking for a hockey simulator in 2026, even if the label might not make it the easiest title to pick up and play. To add to its appeal, EA Play subscribers can play up to 10 hours of it for free on both PlayStation and Xbox, which, believe me, will give you more than enough time to try it out with no drawback. If you already did and are looking to add even more to the single-player experience, make sure to check out Three Ways You Can Make NHL 26‘s Franchise Mode More Fun.
Riders Republic
- Release Date: June 8th, 2023
- Platforms: PS4/5, Xbox One/Series, and PC
If Shredders is like Skate, then nothing comes as close to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater as Riders Republic, which opts to brush off simulation in favor of a pure open-world arcade experience. On the downside, the game’s monetization might be a warning sign for some, while its focus on a large portion of the extreme sports umbrella translates to a lower attention to detail when compared to both Steep and Shredders.
So, which of the above will you try out first? Make sure to let us know in the comments. While at it, we also highly recommend taking a look at the full 2026 Sports and Racing Games Release Date Calendar.
