I love nothing more than competitive gaming. The thrill of snatching a win from the jaws of defeat. Slowly climbing up the ranks. Forging a strong bond with your team as you face off against some of the best players in the world of gaming. It is a rush like no other. Esports has quickly become one of the most popular sporting formats on the planet.
As Esports has grown we have seen more companies trying to create games that could become the next big Esports hit. Which is amazing for competitive gamers as it means we now have a plethora of titles to choose from.
But which Esports games are a cut above the rest? Which titles have earned their place in the Esports hall of game? Stick with us as we take a look at 7 of the greatest Esports titles ever created!
League Of Legends
Esports was a thing long before League Of Legends hit the gaming world. But LoL undoubtedly launched Esports from a fringe hobby into the global phenomenon it is today. LoL is a highly competitive title that pits teams of 5 against each other. And the yearly world championships for LoL boast a huge prize pool. The 2024 prize pool was over $2 million dollars. With this being split down the rankings.
LoL is a great choice for anyone who loves a game with a huge selection of playable champions, a diverse and ever changing meta, and an expansive lore.
Dota 2
For the longest time this was the main competitor to LoL. Based on the popular Warcraft 3 game mode, Dota 2 is the MOBA for those who prefer more micro gameplay than LoL. It requires a higher degree of technical knowledge and micro management than other MOBAs. Which did eventually lead to it declining in popularity. But it still boasts an active competitive community.
The International, Dota 2’s world championship was a huge part of making Esports into what it is today. The first International boasted a $1.3 million dollar prize pool. Which was the largest prize pool for a gaming tournament ever at the time.
Rocket League
Rocket League is one of those games that you either love or hate. And I fall into the love camp. On the surface it seems like a silly game about rocket powered cars playing soccer. But, in reality, it is an extremely technical sporting title that requires amazing reaction speeds, foresight, and tactical planning.
The Rocket League pro scene is small, but extremely competitive. Due to the high skill ceiling of the game. It took me years to climb up the ranks. And only after I got pro coaching. Which is something I highly recommend. Within weeks the Pro Rocket League coaching helped me improve and move up a whole two ranks.
Rocket League is also a great title for anyone looking to just let loose and have a bit of casual fun! The game’s playerbase is very active and you don’t have to engage in the ranking system if you don’t want to.
Fortnite
People love to hate on Fortnite. Primarily because of the ridiculous number of collaboration skins and the goofy aesthetics. But under all that is a tough competitive scene that is extremely demanding. Fortnite boasts one of the highest player counts of any multiplayer game currently online. And this means you are going to be facing stiff competition while trying to rank up.
The great thing about Fortnite is that, if you need a break from ranked play, there are hundreds of custom game modes to enjoy. And it is an amazing game to play with your friends. With lots of engaging events and a diverse weapon pool that is constantly changing.
Starcraft 2
Starcraft is the grandfather of Esports. While LoL made Esports a global success. Starcraft is where the Esports format was refined and turned into a serious contender in the sporting world. And Starcraft 2 has kept that fire alive.
The quintessential RTS game, Starcraft 2 is a masterclass in micro-managing. The ranked environment is not easy to navigate though. With many of the best players having decades of RTS experience under their belt. But, even without the ranked environment, the game is extremely engaging and addictive.
Counter-Strike 2
When it comes to FPS games there are too many Esports options to count. But none come close to the intense tactical gameplay of Counter-Strike 2. The small team numbers, compact maps, and large weapon selection make every match a fierce fight to the death. And, with bullets hitting as hard as they should in this game, any mistake could potentially be fatal.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Fighting games have been a staple of the Esports world for years. But Smash Bros is easily the most popular and most engaging. On the surface it seems like Smash Bros doesn’t take that much skill. But it is actually extremely complex. Each character requires a lot of training to master. And the varied stages add a different spin to every fight. It is no wonder that the series has endured to this day.