Best Sports Games Ever

[houstonlibrarian]

Feel free to disagree, but this is the list I am sticking with

Best Sports Games Ever

[Christophero Sly]

NHL '94

[MagitekAngel]

3 football games? Blades of Steel ought to be on that list somewhere. If it were up to me, anyhow.

[Ryanw]

Gotta agree with the Madden games putting them on the list, I've probably logged close to a thousand hours since Madden 98.

[JamesD]

The author had an Intellivision as a kid and list several Intellivision games. Go figure.

[accousticguitar]

My favorite is an old dos game Front Page Sports Football Pro. I still play it.

 

http://www.dosmuseum.com/pages/view.php?ref=1981

 

[CGQuarterly]

The author had an Intellivision as a kid and list several Intellivision games. Go figure.

 

Yeah. This list is obviously a walk down memory lane for the author. I don't have a problem with that, but then don't call it the "10 best sports games ever made." The inclusion of Mario Kart is pretty weak, as well, as that is NOT a sports game. It is obvious his favorite game from childhood and he was intent upon its inclusion. Lastly, the article is rife with typos and spelling errors most of which he would have caught had he read the article after writing it. Sorry if that makes me the internet grammar police, but when you have your own website you should at least take the time to proofread your content.

 

Chris

[The_Laird]

Yeah there is no way Mario Kart is a sports game.

 

I have to say not one of those games would make my list apart from maybe NBA Jam, top of my list would be Sensible Soccer without doubt.

[maibock]

that's a solid list of games there.. yeah sure, everyone's list will be different, but you've got some real classics in there.

[slosu]

[Tecmo Bowl hands down.

[Taskmaster99]

I'll go Tecmo Superbowl. The NES version.....not the Genesis.

[AtariLeaf]

I'm not a big video game tennis fan but I've really been enjoying virtua tennis on the dreamcast. Solid game and very fun.

[Video]

I've never been much on "realistic" sports games. That said, the ones I find most fun typically have some BS fantasy crap in them, but not over the top.

 

RBI, the first one for NES is probably my favorite all time sports game. Avery close second would be World cub Soccer (NES and DMG) followed by tennis for 2600. Beyond that many golf games, and anything like Decathalon for 2600 (winter/summer games, track and field, etc)

 

But yeah, if I chose one, it would be RBI...it's psudo realism, goofy round characters, the sound effects/music, it just all clicked for me.

Edited January 23, 2010 by Video

[doubleminor]

NHL 94, Tecmo Super Bowl, NHL Open Ice, NFL Blitz, NBA Jam.

[Rev. Rob]

Feel free to disagree, but this is the list I am sticking with

Best Sports Games Ever

 

When you say "Madden" which game are you talking about? Did you mean John Madden Football?

 

I mean, if you're going to define a sport as competition between people, why not just throw Unreal Tournament in there while you're at it?

 

And why isn't a more modern game in the list? The title is the best sports game of all time. Madden NFL 2010 is a hell of a lot better than any of the 16-bit variations.

 

 

 

 

 

-Edited for unnecessary language

[tz101]

Tecmo Super Bowl beats Madden any day. That list is lame.

[+RandomPerson]

Blades of Steel is #1 for me. #2 is Pong and #3 BMX Airmaster.

[Skaarg]

Probably my top three favorite sports games would be

 

NBA Jam T.E. - Genesis (What other basketball game can you dunk from across the court?!)

10 Yard Fight - NES (There may be better football games, but this one has good childhood memories.

NFL Blitz - PS1 (Good times as a kid with cheat codes on lol)

[BDW]

1. NFL Blitz for the N64

2. NBA Jam T.E. for the 32x

3. Tony Hawk Pro skater 2 for the N64

4. Cruisin' USA for the arcade

[phaxda]

It's not a terrible list, but I will offer up my own. (With some agreements and NO Mario Kart, even though I love it!)

 

10: Baseball (Intellivision)

This really was the superior baseball game back in the day. Quick fingers were required on the keypads, voice of the ump (Yerrr out!), best graphics at the time--this game was definitely a winner in the classic sports arena.

 

9: RealSports Baseball (Atari 5200)

Using the analog stick to swing was awesome! Graphics much improved. Great baseball game.

 

8: Bowling (Atari 2600)

Simple, easy to learn, very Zen and fun.

 

7: NBA Jam (Genesis)

"He's on fire!" Is it the shoes?" A legendary game, only ranked up here because I still suck at it. Still a tremendous game, one of the best basketball offerings except for...

 

6: Double Dribble (NES)

I loved this NES game. The National anthem, the halftime show, the insane close-up cut motion dunks...this game had it all. Catchy in-game music, the free-throw shooting. Fast paced action in this NES masterpiece.

 

5: Tecmo Superbowl (NES)

Yet another solid NES offering. My brother and I used to beat each other up all the time on this one! Loved the touchdown slo-mo replays.

 

4: Ballblazer (Atari 5200)

OK, so it's not a sport on planet Earth right now, but this Terran had a lot of fun playing it back in the day! A futuristic playing field, awesome computer opponents, fast action, the unique arrow up/down scoring system and last but not least the TOTALLY kickass music. Also, the analog joystick was a huge plus for this game. Definitely top 5 all-time.

 

3: Ice Hockey (NES)

I still love this game, even though the computer sucks. My friend Aaron and I played the heck out of this way back when and our defenses were stellar. Goalkeeping is an art--we both got so good that you had to bounce the puck off the goalpost to score. Nothing less than that was going to go in.

 

2: Golf (Gameboy)

Somewhat of a sentimental selection, but this is the golf game that started it all for me. Jaunty music, fun courses (though limited to just Japan and USA) and all in a handy package that could go anywhere. Might not sound like a lot now, but in 1989 it was revolutionary and all kinds of awesome. Green screen, great greens! I still love this game.

 

1: Tiger Woods 10 (Wii)

Yup, two golf games in the top two. What can I say, I still love golf games and TW 10 is just insanely great. Full motion control, online offerings, career mode, tourneys, good graphics, I never get tired of playing it. Didn't think I would go ALL retro, did ya? THis game is a solid #1 in my book.

 

 

If I could have top 11:

NHL '94 (Genesis) would be #11.

 

Honorable mentions:

Virtua Tennis, FIFA (all editions), Blades of Steel.

 

Racing games (not counted as sport per earlier objections):

RC Pro-Am (NES)

Rad Racer (NES)

Pole Position (I like arcade or the Atari 5200 version)

Gran Turismo (PS/PS2/any edition)

Need for Speed (PS2)

Mario Kart Wii (the best game ever)

[Austin]

Windjammers, anyone? I guess technically that's a sports game.

[maibock]

Feel free to disagree, but this is the list I am sticking with

Best Sports Games Ever

 

I mean, if you're going to define a sport as competition between people, why not just throw Unreal Tournament in there while you're at it?

 

When you say "Madden" which game are you talking about? Did you mean John Madden Football?

 

And why isn't a more modern game in the list? The title is the best sports game of all time. Madden NFL 2010 is a hell of a lot better than any of the 16-bit variations.

 

Is it really necessary to act like a jackass? especially to a new member to the forums?

[AtariLeaf]

Feel free to disagree, but this is the list I am sticking with

Best Sports Games Ever

 

I mean, if you're going to define a sport as competition between people, why not just throw Unreal Tournament in there while you're at it?

 

When you say "Madden" which game are you talking about? Did you mean John Madden Football?

 

And why isn't a more modern game in the list? The title is the best sports game of all time. Madden NFL 2010 is a hell of a lot better than any of the 16-bit variations.

 

Is it really necessary to act like a jackass? especially to a new member to the forums?

 

No kidding. Its just a person's opinion, jeez. Its not like the OP is selling Odysseys on ebay for insane prices or something REALLY worth getting upset about.

[doubleminor]

Gotta go with The Bigs as well. Love me some home run pinball.

[The_Laird]

Windjammers, anyone? I guess technically that's a sports game.

 

Great game I agree