At face value, angling might not be the electrifying sport almost people are clamoring for. It'southward no hush-hush that sports like football game and basketball have more than extensive fan bases. This is why few AAA fishing games exist, and fishing is mainly used as a small characteristic in video games. That'southward not to say line-fishing can't be a rousing hobby that translates well into video games.

Fishing appeared in some of the earliest video games, yet some series' line-fishing mechanics haven't inverse a bit. Line-fishing in games similar Red Dead Redemption 2 or Final Fantasy XV adds more depth to the overall experience. Who has what it takes to catch a whopper?

Criteria: As long as a game includes line-fishing in some way, it will be considered.

Updated Feb 14, 2022, by Tom Bowen: Though in that location are plenty of large AAA games that include bones line-fishing mechanics, few, if any, can really compare to a title that's been designed entirely around the sport. These realistic sim games can be incredibly enjoyable when they're done right and can likewise be a keen way for players to larn about the intricacies of existent-world fishing as they play. For those who've had plenty of CoD and now find themselves looking for the reel deal, these excellent angling games are a great plaice to start.

eighteen The Catch: Bother & Coarse

The Catch: Carp & Coarse

Available on PS4, Xbox One & Windows

Rather than merely focusing on how many fish players are able to catch or the weight of their total bounty, The Grab: Carp & Coarse takes a somewhat dissimilar approach. Players visit lakes, rivers and oceans all across the world and are tasked with reeling in i of each of the game's 35 unique species of fish.

The game also features a multiplayer style for competitive fishing equally well as more than 100 special "Boss Fish" which are designed to really put players' skill and know-how to the exam. In that location's enough of licensed equipment for an air of realism also and the graphics are surprisingly impressive considering the game's adequately pocket-size budget.

17 Shenmue iii

shenmue-3-fishing

Available on PS4 & PC

At the time of its release, few video game series provided players with quite equally much freedom as Shenmue. While they're not scouring the streets of Dobuita for sailors, players can kick back and enjoy a wide range of side activities; the long listing of which has only grown with each subsequent installment. It's perhaps a fiddling surprising that duck racing was added starting time, simply fishing finally came to the franchise in 2019's Shenmue 3.

Granted, the mechanics are incredibly basic, simply at that place's something strangely relaxing nigh angling in Shenmue 3. It tin can serve every bit a nice change of pace, and finding new spots in which to fish — either through exploration or past getting tips from the locals — tin be a lot of fun too. It's besides a great way to earn money, which is something that players will need an atrocious lot of if they hope to consummate the game'due south main story.

16 The Sims four

Bachelor on PS4, Xbox One & PC

The Sims 4 is some other game that shoehorns in a lot of different ideas and mechanics, with fishing only one of the numerous activities that players can do to earn a piffling extra scratch. Once more, there'south very picayune depth to the bodily fishing function and non besides much player interaction required either, merely it does offering something that very few other games with fishing mechanics do: customizability.

Players tin create their ain bodies of water, deciding what types of fish will be in them and how many in that location'll be. They can also meliorate their Sims' angling skills to unlock more than valuable fish later on, thus rewarding them more than and more for their hard work over time. Certain elements are oversimplified quite a bit more some might similar, but this does help to make the mechanic a lot more accessible.

15 Tales of Arise

tales-of-arise-autelina-palace-after-fishing

Available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Serial, Xbox One & PC

In recent years, it's become popular for developers to throw in every bit many different mechanics as possible in order to present the illusion of choice. In reality, though, all that players are really being offered is a series of half-baked ideas that contribute very piddling to the overall experience. Many modern games include lazy fishing mechanics every bit a result, but Tales of Arise isn't one of them.

The game features 44 different types of fish spread across 12 dissimilar locations, with each 1 responding differently to sure lures likewise as the way that players jiggle them. Upon communicable the fish, players can either sell them for coin or use them to cook up a wide array of meals that provide stat boosts and other perks for a set amount of fourth dimension. Finding all 44 types of fish really isn't besides much of a chore and the fishing part can be quite relaxing too.

14 Rapala Fishing: Pro Series

Rapala Fishing: Pro Series

Available on PS4, Xbox One & Switch

Those with fifty-fifty a passing involvement in fishing will likely know all about Rapala lures already. For anybody who's unfamiliar though, they're generally considered to be some of the very best in the globe. With that in mind, information technology'south like shooting fish in a barrel to meet why a developer would exist slap-up to attach the Rapala name to its line-fishing video game.

Though perhaps non every bit revolutionary equally the lures from which information technology took its name, the Rapala Fishing series looks great and actually captures the nuances of fishing. The daily tournaments assistance to continue things feeling fresh, while the option to use real-world weather weather is also a nice touch for those seeking a genuine experience.

13 Sega Bass Angling

Sega Bass Fishing

Available on Dreamcast, Windows, Wii, Xbox 360 & PSN

Nintendo received a lot of plaudits for bringing movement controls to the home console market with the Wii, but its onetime rival Sega had already beaten them to the punch by quite a few years by that betoken. Sega Bass Fishing, which started life as an arcade game, came bundled with a fishing rod controller on the Dreamcast, and this allowed players to cast their lines with the flick of a wrist, rather than the button of a button.

At the time of its release, it was i of the most realistic fishing games on the marketplace and its tight arcade gameplay fabricated information technology incredibly moreish. Its visuals may not take anile too well in the two decades since, but it's still a lot of fun to play and remains a great fashion to kill a few hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

12 Angling: North Atlantic

Fishing: North Atlantic

Available on PS4, Xbox One & Windows

Fishing: Due north Atlantic is adequately unique in that it focuses on pretty much every attribute of commercial fishing rather than just the standard cast and reel. Granted, for some, reeling in a big one is the only part that really matters, merely those interested in the nitty-gritty side of the sport will notice a lot to like hither.

The game looks beautiful and runs perfectly well even on mid-level machines. The simulation elements are well-realized, and while some are a lot more enjoyable than others, there are plenty activities to keep players busy for hours on finish. At that place are one or two bugs and glitches here and there, only overall stability is improving with each new update and patch.

11 Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour

Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour

Available on PS4, Xbox 1 & Windows

Angling Sim World: Pro Tour doesn't get everything quite right, but information technology'south nonetheless an excellent line-fishing game still. It looks great, features a broad variety of fish and fishing spots, and offers a solid, albeit, unspectacular multiplayer mode. Where it really shines, however, is through its bright career manner.

Players start out as inexperienced anglers and must work their way up through the ranks by winning tournaments and other competitions. The fishing mechanics are realistic too, making it a great style for people who are new to the sport to larn nigh weather conditions and bait types as they attempt to out-fish their 100+ virtual rivals.

10 Pokemon Sword & Shield

Lure

Available exclusively on Switch

They might not accept the most avant-garde fishing mechanics, only Pokemon Sword & Shield do have the best fishing in the Pokemon mainline series. Angling in the 8th generation games is as straightforward every bit finding a black circle, then casting the rod'southward line into the h2o.

Players won't find a massive bass, however, but instead an assortment of Pokemon with different sizes and appearances. Fishing has inappreciably inverse since the franchise'south before generations though, so some may feel that the time has come up for Pokemon to follow other AAA video games and incorporate more advanced fishing mechanics in future entries.

9 Euro Line-fishing

fishing

Available on PS4, Xbox 1 & Windows

For a game based solely on fishing, Euro Line-fishing offers surprisingly immersive gameplay. Players can become masterful anglers by practicing in this simulation game, learning all about lures, bait types, and other useful data most line-fishing equally they practise so.

Every bit one might wait, there is lots of waiting while playing the game, significant the apprehension tin often exist cut with a knife. From an enjoyability standpoint, Euro Angling missed the mark a piddling, merely the game showed lots of promise in its early on days. Love or hate information technology, information technology's hard to deny that Euro Line-fishing offers a more realistic experience than most other fishing games.

8 Stardew Valley

fishing

Available on PS4, Xbox Ane, Switch, Windows & Mobile

Stardew Valley'southward stellar angling is attributed to the types of fish and its relaxing nature. Certain fish announced during the off-flavour, yet line-fishing in the game is a year-round sport. To catch fish in Stardew Valley, press the Utilize Tool button and estimate the meter for distance.

Despite having layers of depth, Stardew Valley tin can lack immersion as the 16-bit graphics are on par with a Super Nintendo game. Resembling a retro simulation game, Stardew Valley's Pelican Town is the setting for highly relaxing angling.

fishing

Bachelor exclusively on Switch

Constitute in the Northern department of Mabe Village is a subtle characteristic that must exist experienced. 2019'due south The Fable of Zelda: Link'southward Awakening remake contains a fishing mini-game that expands upon the one found in the original Game Boy title past adding fish types and more polished gameplay mechanics.

There are fish like the Runt, Lunker, and Cheep Scritch that make the catch incredibly satisfying. Also, there is the overarching goal of communicable the prize of the pond, Ol' Baron. Those who are able to catch Ol' Baron will be handsomely rewarded with at least 90 Rupees.

6 Ark: Survival Evolved

fishing net

Available on PS4, Xbox Ane, Switch & Windows

The activity-take chances survival game Ark: Survival Evolved takes fishing to a whole new level with a fishing net. This item was added as part of the Expansion Pack Genesis: Part one and is just i of many big improvements that have been fabricated to the game since its somewhat underwhelming launch.

A angling cyberspace might not exist for everyone, which is why the game'due south devs take incorporated other options. Ark: Survival Evolved includes a line-fishing rod, which yields different sizes and types of fish depending on the bait used. Await to grab Sabertooth Salmon and Piranhas when fishing in-game; some players might as well notice rare treasures.

5 World Of Warcraft

fishing

Available exclusively on Windows

If someone is in the mood for relaxing fishing and doesn't want to become into the sport's complexities, World of Warcraft is a must-play. The game's subscription structure might put sure people off, but those who are already subscribed to the game should definitely give angling a try if they haven't already.

Although numerous water bodies brand the fishing fantastic, it might exist time for this MMORPG to switch to a costless-to-play model. Subscribers, however, play the game regularly, relishing the opportunity to go angling. It's just one of many activities that players can partake in and a smashing way to unwind subsequently a challenging mission or raid.

4 Scarlet Dead Redemption ii

fishing

Available on PS4, Xbox One & Windows

Rockstar Games is continually going above and beyond by incorporating features outside the main story in its games. Fishing is initially introduced in the principal story of Red Expressionless Redemption 2, but the majority of the content is experienced in gratuitous roam.

Take hold of a fishing pole from the inventory, bait the rod, and cast information technology into a body of h2o. Ruby-red Dead Redemption ii contains an affluence of fish, including some legendary ones which are incredibly valuable. Equally such, fishing in Red Dead 2 tin exist a neat mode to earn a chip of extra coin while too taking a interruption from the chaos of the main story.

three Fishing Resort

Wii fishing

Available exclusively on Wii

Naturally, since the game was released on the Nintendo Wii, Angling Resort utilizes move controls. There are 216 fish species contained in this game, making it i of the most comprehensive angling games e'er released. They all await adequately realistic as well, which may surprise some considering the game's cartoonish fine art style.

Since fishing is the main component of the championship, and it's non only a side feature, Fishing Resort is quite polished. The largest fish in the game is Dunkleosteus, a prehistoric fish that is extremely rare. Even with a 39-hour completion time, few players have caught the magnificent creature.

2 Sea Of Thieves

sea of thieves

Available on Xbox I & Windows

Starting out equally a lackluster pirate adventure, Body of water of Thieves has evolved into so much more. According to seaofthieves.com, "Give a man a fish, and he'll consume for a day – teach a human to fish, and he'll rank up with The Hunter'due south Call," and rank up players have.

Compared to the various swashbuckling adventures that populate the game, angling provides an incredibly relaxing way to pass the fourth dimension. It also has benefits such equally providing food, although catches will need to exist cooked earlier players can tuck into their bounty.

ane Angling Planet

Caught a fish

Available on PS4, Xbox Ane & Windows

Hands down, Angling Planet is the most immersive and exciting line-fishing game on the market place. Information technology's every bit close as players will ever get to doing the real thing without leaving their ain home. Of course, this does bring with it one or two downsides, particularly for players who don't like waiting effectually.

Expect to grind levels in this game while catching an assortment of fish. The attention to detail is impressive and, to elevation things off, Fishing Planet is using a gratuitous-to-play model that seems to piece of work well. The game is widely available on platforms like Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.

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