The PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics have kicked off in South Korea, promising over two weeks of intense frosty action. While a huge selection of winter activities are broadcasting throughout the event, the best way to witness them for yourself. We might not be offering cheap trips to PyeongChang, but these Xbox One games are the best replacements you'll get. We've rounded up our favorite winter sports games on Xbox One, to get you prepared for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Steep
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Steep first made its debut in late 2016, with a fresh angle on the sports genre, centered around extreme winter activities. Departing from Ubisoft's recent successes, the game delivered a premise that still stands out for its concept alone. Although it suffered from unimpressive sales, its blend of arcade and realistic mechanics makes for a unique take on the digital slopes.
The game's most recent expansion, "Road to the Olympics," makes Steep more timely, with a Pyeongchang twist to its existing gameplay. As an officially licensed product of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, the content dives into the journey of an athlete and building up to an Olympic event. For those getting started, the Steep "Winter Games Edition" bundles together the base game and expansion for just $35.99 digitally.
Infinite Air with Mark McMorris
Infinite Air is one of the few purely snowboarding titles on the market, delivering a "physics-driven" experience that promises improved realism over its competitors. And with the backing of Olympic Canadian snowboarder, Mark McMorris, you'll be getting an experience that ties into the real snowboarding scene.
Offering mechanics designed to welcome newcomers, while rewarding those who invest over time, few games match its depth on Xbox One. Infinite Air with Mark McMorris starts at $29.99 digitally, with further reductions available at select retailers.
NHL 18
NHL 18 is the latest entry in Electronic Arts' long-running hockey series, continuing to build upon its legacy as the defining title of the genre. While NHL hasn't hugely evolved in recent years, NHL 18 is established on an already strong foundation of 25 years. Ultimately, you'll be receiving a leading hockey experience, with the addition of a new 3-on-3 mode, updated rosters, and other various refinements. NHL 18 starts at $39.99 for a physical disc-based copy.
SSX
SSX is the pioneer of snowboarding games on console, with a long legacy of well-received titles. Putting an arcade spin on the sport, SSX embraces tricks and stylized mechanics, still mostly unmatched today. Its latest entry, simply titled SSX, might not be new but rebooted the franchise for a new generation on Xbox 360. The game is now available on Xbox One via backward compatibility, priced at $14.99 digitally.
Battlefield 1: In the Name of the Tsar
The Xbox One has only a small selection of winter sports titles, meaning that your options are currently limited. If you're not a fan of the games available, why not jump into one of this generation's best shooters in a snowy setting? You can't get more primed for the Olympics than that. Well, sort of.
Battlefield 1's In the Name of the Tsar expansion takes the battle to the eastern front, with a range of maps based on the frozen Russian landscape. Fully embracing the brutal nature of the First World War, the expansion adds four new maps to the Battlefield 1 roster. Battlefield 1 Revolution, a complete package bundling the game and its expansions can be picked up starting at $32.99.
