Jank by name, Jank by nature
Sports games often strive for authenticity, recreating every rule, tactic, and nuance of the sport they're based on. Pro Jank Footy takes one look at that philosophy and kicks it straight into the stands. Rather than chasing realism, this indie take on Australian Rules Football embraces chaos, unpredictability, and a healthy dose of humour, resulting in a game that's far more interested in making you laugh than making you study a playbook. After spending time with it on Xbox Series X, it's clear that's exactly where its strengths lie.
From the opening match, Pro Jank Footy is incredibly approachable. You don't need any knowledge of AFL to get started, and that's one of the game's biggest advantages. The controls are intuitive, making it easy to jump straight into the action without wading through lengthy tutorials or complicated mechanics. Within minutes, I was confidently moving the ball around the field, taking shots at goal, and beginning to understand the rhythm of each match.
There's an immediacy to the gameplay that's genuinely refreshing. While the core mechanics are straightforward, matches never stay predictable for long. Every goal scored gives players the opportunity to introduce modifiers that dramatically alter the flow of play, some of these changes range from simplistic ones like adding a new player to your team, giving you faster players to the extreme ones, adding a whole extra team to the game, or even adding a CAR! to your team. It's a mechanic that constantly keeps everyone on their toes and prevents matches from becoming repetitive.
One moment you're playing what feels like a fairly traditional game of footy. Next, the rules have changed, strategies have gone out the window, and everyone is scrambling to adapt. Those unexpected twists produce some of the funniest moments the game has to offer and are easily what makes Pro Jank Footy stand out from other arcade sports titles. It's these moments of organised chaos that define the experience.
Visually, Pro Jank Footy leans into its retro inspirations with chunky character models, colourful environments, and exaggerated animations that perfectly match its playful personality. It never attempts to compete with the realism of EA Sports FC or other big-budget sports franchises, and that's absolutely the right decision. The stylised presentation gives the game plenty of charm and reinforces that this is meant to be a fun, light-hearted experience from start to finish.
Performance on Xbox Series X remained smooth throughout my time with the game. Matches loaded quickly, controls felt responsive, and I never encountered any technical issues that distracted from the action. Given how frantic matches can become, maintaining that responsiveness is essential, and thankfully the game delivers where it matters most.
Although the game can certainly be enjoyed solo, it truly comes alive in local multiplayer. Playing with friends transforms every modifier into an opportunity for laughter, friendly arguments, and complete mayhem. It's the sort of game that naturally creates memorable moments because nobody can ever be completely sure what will happen next. There is an online selection but it says they are working on bringing online to the game. So, when online does come, the crazy times will overflow even more. That unpredictability is both its biggest strength and, occasionally, its biggest weakness.
Players looking for a balanced competitive sports game may find some of the random modifiers frustrating. One modifier that REALLY frustrated me was one that made my team tiny, not really being able to see my team while being trampled at every moment became very frustrating.
There are moments where luck can feel just as important as skill, and occasionally it seems like the game takes control of the outcome simply for the sake of creating another ridiculous situation. Those looking for a serious AFL simulation won't find it here. But that's also missing the point.
Pro Jank Footy wears its "jank" proudly. Rather than smoothing away its rough edges, it builds its entire identity around them. The result is a sports game that's less about mastering systems and more about enjoying the unpredictable situations that naturally unfold every time you play.
There's something refreshing about a game that doesn't ask you to memorise complex tactics or commit dozens of control combinations to memory. Instead, it encourages you to pick up a controller, have some fun, and embrace whatever madness the next match throws your way.
It won't replace the big annual football franchises, nor is it trying to. What it offers instead is an entertaining arcade experience that's easy to recommend if you're looking for something different. Whether you're playing alone or with friends on the couch, Pro Jank Footy consistently delivers the kind of spontaneous, laugh-out-loud moments that remind you why local multiplayer games remain so enjoyable.
It may not always play fair, and it certainly doesn't take itself seriously, but that's exactly what makes Pro Jank Footy such an entertaining surprise.
Developer - Powerbomb Games, Tinker Town
Publisher - Powerbomb Games, Umbrella Gaming
Released - August 12th, 2026
Available On - PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Rated - (E 10+) - Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
Platform Reviewed - Xbox Series X
Review Access - A review code for Pro Jank Footy was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.
James, has been a gamer for as long as he can remember with a particular passion for sports games, shooters and adventure games. He only started writing reviews last year over at The Outerhaven, but has quickly become extremely passionate about this part of the industry.