Sports is one of the most popular categories when it comes to video games. And it’s no surprise when you think about it, because of how popular the likes of football, tennis, boxing and other sports are. This genre has been in demand since the 1980s and shows no sign of slowing in popularity. A lot of those retro classics are actively sought after by gamers and collectors alike. In fact, you can find them here. However, with so many titles released over the years, which are the best?
FIFA Series
It isn’t easy to pick just one FIFA game from the masses that have been released over the years, so instead, we think it’s worth paying homage to what is arguably the best sports video game series of all time. FIFA, and primarily Ultimate Team, is the pinnacle of video games based on sport, and the realism is off the scale. From player likenesses to even licensed sports betting brands appearing on advertising hoardings, most people will have played FIFA, and many religiously, competing in Weekend League or taking on career mode.
Football Manager Series
Again, like FIFA, there have been so many excellent Football Manager releases since it converted from Championship Manager that it’s hard to select one. So, again we pay homage to another hugely successful and extremely popular game series. Football Manager is arguably the sports video game that delivers the most in-depth and real-life experience, allowing players to manage all areas of a football club on their way to success. New features and innovations are added every year, keeping it ahead of the competition, and the various mid-season updates keep things fresh.
Fight Night Round 4
Boxing is one of the most popular sports on the planet right now, and it’s been the case for some time. However, there hasn’t been a boxing game released since the iconic Fight Night Round 4, which is somewhat of a shame. Fight Night Round 4 delivered a realistic combat system, twinned with an excellent career mode and the chance to box with some of the greatest fighters ever to live. For boxing fans, it was and still is perfection, with many still playing the game to this day in the hope of a fresh release eventually being produced by EA Sports or another studio.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Series
We’ll end our list with another iconic series, and this time it’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. When this series began, it literally took the gaming world by storm because it was a sport, of course, but it was different. Immediately people were hooked on the gameplay, attempting to pull off moves and secure achievements. And, with every release after the original, the game had the same effect. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series is undoubtedly legendary, and it appealed to those who weren’t necessarily fans of skating at the time too, which was another massive plus.
We could be here for hours attempting to list all the great sports video games that have been released over the years because there really have been so many of them. But, those mentioned above certainly do the genre justice, and they’re must plays, still to this day, which shows how good they are when they continue to stand the test of time.
