Sports video games have long been some of the most successful game series to have ever been released. The genre has developed from two pixelated entries like Pong to super-realistic games that put the player right in the centre of the action. One of the best aspects of sports games is that they can be played both casually and competitively. So, whether you’re looking to challenge yourself against the best players in the world or just take on a friend, sports games have something for everyone.
BoyleSports, the home of Premier League Betting, has highlighted some of the most iconic sports games that have shaped an entire genre of gaming.
FC/FIFA
Football is widely considered to be the most popular sport in the world, so it should be no surprise that a game about football has had so much success. There has been no sports game that has had the influence that FC has. Formerly and most famously known as FIFA, is developed by EA Sports. Only recently has the name changed to FC, as EA could not reach an agreement with FIFA over licensing fees. The franchise has become the most immersive and polished sports game in history.
The release of FC is now a calendar event for football fans. The game allows you to play as hundreds of different teams from across the world. But where FC stands out compared to its competitors is its variety in game modes. The most popular mode is Ultimate Team, which took the game to a whole new level. Players can build their dream squads, compete online, and buy/sell cards to build their perfect team. Other modes, such as Career Mode and Pro Clubs, offer something different for those players who don’t enjoy Ultimate Team. EA has made sure to accommodate players as much as they can to provide the best experience possible.
Pro Evolution Soccer
While FC has become the industry leader in the world of football games, Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) once had a fanbase that matched FC. PES provided a more arcadey experience; it was for players who cared more about the gaming experience compared to the realism of FC.
On the PlayStation 2, PES was considered to be a better game. Even though teams did not have genuine names like London Blue or Merseyside Red, the standard of gameplay made up for it. Fans loved PES because it felt like a game and not a football simulator.
Although PES ultimately met its demise in its later years, the game has left a lasting impression on fans and reminds them of the golden age of football games.
Football Manager
Football Manager is unique, as most football games are similar and have a focus on the on-pitch action. Football Manager puts you in the manager’s seat and allows you to run all aspects of a football club. You have tasks like attending press conferences and scouting youth talent, which is for the hardcore football fan who wants a deeper and realistic experience.
Many fans found themselves putting hundreds of hours into building their squad, crafting the perfect tactics, and taking lower league teams all the way to winning European gold.
What makes Football Manager stand out is how deep the game goes into detail. The database of players almost feels endless, as you always find a way to find the next hidden gem from the most unexpected location. There have even been stories of clubs using the game to help their scouting process.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
In the early 2000s, few games matched the popularity of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. While skateboarding has always been something of a niche sport, lacking the vast following of football, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater captivated players with its energy and endlessly entertaining gameplay.
Players would spend hours trying to land a specific complex trick, and the level design feature encouraged creativity and exploration. The game combined arcade action and skill-based gameplay, so it had something for everyone to enjoy.
The game was so iconic and well-loved that in 2020, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2 were remastered for modern gaming systems. Not only did this bring back the franchise for established fans, but it also opened up a whole new franchise to new players.
Wii Sports
Wii Sports managed to do something that no other sports game before it could do, as it had cross-generational appeal. You don’t necessarily have to be a sports fan to enjoy what Wii Sports has to offer. As the launch title for the Nintendo Wii, the game used motion controls to create an experience that had never been done before.
From Tennis to boxing, Wii Sports had a simple yet effective list of sports that you could play at the press of a button. It encouraged physical activity and was a fun way of exercising. The co-op features brought people together and created countless laughs and memories.
Wii Sports was in no way a realistic game, but it was about something that was just as important: the joy of gaming.
Sports Games Are More Than Just Games
What makes sports video games so iconic is not just their gameplay or graphics. It is the way to capture the art of sport, the competition, the thrill, and the agony of victory and defeat. Whether it is scoring a last-minute winner against your friend of FC or landing that one trick you have spent the past two hours trying on Tony Hawk. Sports games bring out an emotion in players that other games can’t.