The best basketball games on Switch and mobile

If you want basketball games, see if your hoop shooting skills really are like Mike, with our picks for the best basketball games on Switch and mobile.

Best basketball games: key art for the game NBA 2K 2022 shows a basketball player in a white uniform, against a yellow background

Our list of the best basketball games on Switch and mobile is a free throw for you to find your next balling obsession. Whether you’re up for shooting hoops with the pros, or taking the kids that were picked last in gym class to the big leagues, there’s something for everyone to pick up, play, and get their first three-pointer. 

For more ball sports, be sure to take browse our picks for the best cricket games, golf games, and football games on Switch and mobile. Or, if you prefer a slower-paced afternoon with a little less athleticism, check out our lists detailing the best golf games and fishing games on Switch and mobile.

With that out of the way, let’s step up to the free-throw line for the best basketball games on Switch and mobile. 

Cover art for NBA 2K22, one of the flagship switch basketball games

NBA 2K22 – Switch 

NBA 2K22 is yet another instalment in the iconic basketball series, with a bunch of new additions for another year of balling. Whether you want to create your all-time fantasy line-up in the MyTEAM mode and test them out online, or try your luck taking your favourite team to the play-off finals, it’s a must-play for the basketball obsessive with a penchant for realism. 

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Check out our Locker codes list for some in-game goodies.

Cover art for NBA 2K Playgrounds 2, one of the arcade basketball games on Switch

NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 – Switch 

Basketball is one of the few sports to really embrace an arcade mode, and NBA 2k Playgrounds 2 is the best way to play 2-on-2 with a cartoon Lebron. There’s more than you might anticipate in this animated package, so don’t find yourself thinking there isn’t some serious competition waiting in the online lobbies, or even if the game’s surprisingly challenging solo mode. 

Key art for Desktop Baseball, the tiniest of all basketball games

Desktop Basketball – Switch 

Ok, think of a basketball court, make it super teeny tiny, shrink down the players too, and you’ve got Desktop Basketball. It’s a game that proves that size really doesn’t matter, with tight controls, approachable gameplay, and a handful of charming minigames, it’s easy to lose a few hours shooting hoops and taking names. 

Basketball Arena cover art, one of the cartoon style basketball games

Basketball Arena – mobile 

If two-on-two sounds a little too much like teamwork to you, go solo on the court with Basketball Arena. While it lacks the mechanical depth of some of the other entries on the series, it almost makes it easier to have fun, with little to no learning curve for new players. It’s also got basketballing monsters, and we can’t begin to tell you how onboard we are with that. 

Key art for Dunk Shot, one of the wackiest basketball games out there

Dunk Shot – mobile 

Do you remember Doodle Jump? Dunk Shot is Doodle Jump with basketballs. It’s fun, more fun than it should be, and that’s all we can really say about that. 

Cover art for NBA 2K Mobile, one of the premier basketball games on mobile devices

NBA 2K Mobile – mobile 

It’s rare that you find the type of realism and quality of both graphics and gameplay in a mobile game when compared to console releases, but with NBA 2K Mobile, EA has hit the nail on the head. Now in its sixth season, there’s a whole lot of content to get through if you want to take your side all the way to the playoffs, and with it being free-to-play, you’ve no excuse to not be shooting hoops on the go. Plus, you can grab some freebies with our NBA 2k Mobile codes

With that, you’re up to date on all the best basketball games on Switch and mobile. Or, if you prefer grass courts to wooden ones, why not take a browse through our list of the best tennis games on Switch and mobile.