Over the centuries, sports have evolved to become more than simple games. For many societies and cultures around the world, they are far more than just games. They are practically tradition and part of daily life.
As the world enters a steadily more technological age, sports have evolved once again, this time in the form of digital video games. Today, games have become a bustling multi-billion-dollar industry, and one of the largest and fastest growing on the planet.
People of all ages can now play sports games on a variety of different devices and digital platforms. Over time there have been many classic sports games. The following is a list of ten, in no particular order, that are the most loved by all.
1. NHL Legacy Edition
- Made by EA Sports
- Released 2015
- Made for PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360
NHL Legacy Edition is considered by many to be possibly the greatest hockey simulation game ever made. It’s well thought-out and intuitive system of control, crisp, realistic graphics, and millions of moves and options, perfectly captures the frantic and gritty, though also highly strategic, and methodical, nature of ice-hockey. Favouring quick-thinking and deliberate actions, this game will prevent you from blinking for extended periods of time.
While EA Sports is generally widely known for its quality sports titles, most will agree that they truly outdid themselves with this game.
2. Madden NFL 2005
- Made by EA Sports
- Released in 2004
- Made for PlayStation 2 & Xbox
Though opinions may differ on which Madden NFL game is actually the greatest of all, most will agree that Madden NFL 2005 is definitely way up at the top of the list. When it comes to video game football, this game gets everything right. It’s fast-paced, hard-hitting, highly tactical, has tons of gameplay options, and the superb control scheme places you in charge in all the right ways. The graphics, for its time, were also exceptional, and still hold up well by today’s standards.
3. MLB: The Show
- Made by Sony Computer Entertainment
- Released in 2013
- Made for PlayStation 3
A PS3 exclusive, MLB: The Show is widely considered to be the perfect baseball sim. The gameplay and controls are highly logical and intuitive, rewarding you for smart strategy, and often playing out in a very realistic manner. It’s easy to learn and play for casual gamers, as well as fun and engaging for those who want to dive a bit deeper into the more technical aspects of the sport. Topping it off are its awesome graphics and immersive audio, making this an all-round classic of sports games.
4. FIFA Soccer 12
- Made by EA Sports
- Released in 2011
- Made for PlayStation & Xbox 360
Of all the EA Sports franchises, the FIFA series has become the most famous over time. Producing a seemingly endless string of popular games. With so many, choosing the best FIFA of all is tricky, though many will agree that FIFA Soccer 12 is certainly a worthy candidate.
Though many later games in the series have better graphics, and more refined features of gameplay, few made as much of an impact when they were released while continuing to be as memorable in the hearts of fans. FIFA Soccer 12 was a landmark title for the already successful series, introducing new, advanced physics, and smart AI. With decent graphics, an all-round well-balanced and well-crafted, FIFA Soccer 12 is largely considered one of the most enjoyable FIFA soccer games ever made.
5. ESPN NFL 2K5
- Made by 2K Sports
- Released in 2004
- Made for PlayStation 2 & Xbox
This was 2K’s famous last NFL game before EA Sports acquired exclusive rights. Though perhaps a bit dated by today’s game standards in various ways, people still praise its realistic physics, dynamic passing, and its impressive overall realistic and organic feel.
Some even go so far as to call it the greatest pro football game ever, surpassing Madden NFL and all others. After taking some time to get into the deep end of this game, you may just end up agreeing.
6. NBA 2K13
- Made by 2K Sports
- Released in 2012
- Made for PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360
There have been plenty of basketball sims over the decades, but very few have done quite so good a job at creating such a fluid, dynamic, and exceptionally good-looking game as NBA 2K13, another amazing classic by 2k Sports. This game packs so much subtlety and depth that it’s like learning to play a symphony of sweet music. A true classic and work of art amongst sports games, NBA 2k13 is a real gem.
7. NHL ‘94
- Made by EA Sports
- Released in 1993
- Made for Sega Genesis
Some classic sports games were just so popular during the early days of video games that they still hold up as classics to this day. Such a game has been NHL ‘94, one of the first to have what has come to be considered the “magic recipe” for making a great sports game. A big part of that recipe is responsive controls, and another is the realistic depiction of movement and physics. NHL ‘94 managed to accomplish each with far greater success than most other sports games of its time and it’s as impressive as the entertainment on offer at Lake Palace.
8. Pro Evolution Soccer 2015
- Made by Konami
- Released in 2014
- Made for PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360
Out of all competition to the FIFA franchise, Konami’s Pro Evo series has proven beyond doubt, to be amongst the stiffest. The Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 instalment features a far more realistic look and feel than any of the previous games in the series. With crisp, responsive controls and very natural-looking physics, it is considered one of the most visually appealing sports games to date and is truly a masterpiece of sports game engineering.
In Conclusion
There are plenty of other classic sports games out there, and one could go for quite some time creating a far longer list. Those listed here are noted for both their popularity and fondness amongst fans, as well as their impact and contribution to sports games and the gaming industry at large.
