For people who enjoy working up a sweat playing tennis or scoring goals in major events for local soccer teams, the various video games based on their chosen pastimes are attractive propositions. Gamers can replicate the type of skills they showcase on the court in the virtual environment while also being able to experience their favorite athlete’s athleticism in the palm of their hands.
Throughout the history of gaming, there have been some iconic releases that have entered this particular genre. While other titles also appeal, such as puzzle classics like Candy Crush Saga and live blackjack games at an online casino, sports games bring something different to the table and appeal to both gamers and sports fans alike. Over the years, a plethora of hit releases have achieved global success and have helped to pave the way for the strong collection of sports titles we’re able to access in the modern world.
With that in mind, below we highlight some of the best sports games ever made. Accessible on numerous gaming platforms, these top titles will never be forgotten.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
First up is Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, a product many more senior gamers will remember fondly. When skate culture was arguably at its finest, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 was a title every skater on the planet knew about. Featuring the legendary skater himself and some of his well-known friends, from its epic soundtrack to gaming options like S-K-A-T-E, it was a title that was almost impossible to put down once you managed to master it.
Fight Night Round 4
Sadly, boxing games aren’t anywhere near as good as they used to be. One of the best examples of a smash-hit boxing release from the good old days is Fight Night Round 4, a 2009 product that was compatible with prominent gaming platforms at the time, like the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. With the likes of Ali and Tyson going to war in this one, gamers and boxing fans alike could tackle options like legacy mode, all while enjoying a boxing title filled with devastating knockouts. For fans of the sweet science, Fight Night Round 4 is the boxing game to beat.
NFL 2K1
Given the popularity of football, fans of one of America’s most beloved pastimes have been able to get through a massive collection of NFL games over the years. One of the very best of them is NFL 2K1, a football masterpiece that contained gameplay that was ahead of its time and offered strong doses of football-related fun. Playable on classic consoles like the Dreamcast, NFL 2K1 is a title many NFL fans will never forget.
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Wii Sports
Released in 2006 on the Nintendo Wii, Wii Sports contained a wide selection of sports mini-games players could get stuck into. From bowling to tennis, players could compete against each other thanks to the console’s motion sensor capabilities. A gaming option where standing still and simply failing to move is not an option, Wii Sports offered both fun and competitive action that many game companies have struggled to replicate since.
FIFA 13
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While Premier League fans are currently playing modern-day gaming titles like EA Sports FC, many more senior soccer lovers are pining for the glory days of FIFA 13. Even for people who aren’t remotely interested in the beautiful game, this much-loved title was hard to ignore. Career mode was engaging, games against friends were always tense, and it was just a really well-made game.
Special mention must also go to Madden NFL 2005, NBA 2K11, and ESPN NFL 2K5.
