Console sports games are still a hit with their core user base and continue to gain ground as newer models outpace decades-old technology like the early Nintendo consoles. Despite the newer tech and better gameplay on offer, a lot of the older sports console games have become firm favourites with newer gaming generations.
This post rounds up some of the top sports console games of all time, all of which are guaranteed boredom killers.
NHL 99
One of the Nintendo 64 top games is NHL 99, and it still remains a popular choice for many games today. Not only was it a top-tier console game, but it also possessed an arcade style that added to its overall enjoyment. The ability to turn off almost all the rules, create your own players, and make the game as complex or simple as you need it to make it a keeper to this day. This hockey game remains a firm fan favourite, and often rivals modern games due to the way it caters to serious sports fans, and casual players, alike.
Madden NFL 22
The final American football game released by EA prior to the death of John Madden is Madden NFL 22. For this reason alone, it’s become a classic. In this series, you get to take on various players within the American national football League, such as NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The game is playable on Xbox One, Xbox X/S series, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. It was the first game to receive a home-field advantage given to the home team and a detailed skill progression tree.
FIFA 15
Playable on almost every console ever made, from PlayStation 3 to PC, FIFA 15 is one of the classic iterations of the FIFA gaming franchise. Tournament mode, smart team tactics and an incredibly realistic array of emotional reactions were what FIFA 15 offered. It opened the door to a new level of detail which later games continued to use.
Another reason it’s a firm favourite with FIFA fans is that the game featured all 20 Premier League Stadiums in-game, which led to it offering a completely authentic take on sports gaming.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater
No list would be complete without the incredible skating sports console game of Tony Hawk Pro Skater. It’s an early playable option that was compatible with the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Game Boy, Dreamcast, and N-Gage. Tony Hawk Pro Skater remains one of the top video games of all time, and it has a huge fan following despite its now-aged graphics.
When it was released, it had a huge impact on how people in the community grew their interests in the skating sports sphere, and this led to the popularity that skating still enjoys to this day. Many people began to admire skateboarding as a sport in its own right and enjoyed having the chance for the virtual character to do tricks that they themselves could never do in real life.
WWF No Mercy
The gold standard for all wrestling games that have been released since WWF No Mercy is a wrestling game that has stood the test of time. It was the final game developed by Asmik Ace and AKI and it is playable only on the Nintendo 64.
Simple gameplay controls, multiple move combinations, and the ability to earn in-game currency which could be spent on creating your own pro wrestler with special moves are all features which made this such a hit. Many fans are thrilled to learn that WWF No Mercy director, Hideyuki Iwashita, is working on a 2023 release with THQ called AEW Fight Forever which is said to have numerous similarities to WWF No Mercy.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003
Golf isn’t a common game to feature on a sports gaming list but the Tiger Woods PGA tour 2003 definitely deserves a spot, due to its realistic golf game. It’s playable on several consoles, notably the PlayStation 2, and the gameplay offers incredible details with outstandingly lush scenery. For a twenty-year-old game, it still is entirely playable and the enhanced graphics it offered in 2003 still help to set it apart from similar games to this day.
You can try your hand at playing on various famous courses such as the Royal Birkdale or even Pebble Beach Golf Links, as well as take on the persona of various PGA tour pros such as Mark O’Meara, Brad Faxon, and Tiger Woods amongst others. It was developed by EA Sports.
Fight Night Champion
Available to play on PlayStation 3, Xbox One and Xbox 360, Fight Night Champion has become a legendary boxing game within sports gaming communities. In Champion mode, you follow the journey of Andre Bishop, a character who is an up-and-coming prospect in the boxing world and discover the culture, nightlife, and intensity a boxer faces.
The numerous game choices are as varied as those on offer at Lake Palace casino. But in this case, they mimic real-world situations that some boxers find themselves in, as well as showcase many of the hurdles which real-life athletes often must overcome. This nitty, gritty aspect includes blood and realistic wounds and is one of the main reasons why the game originally was released with an age limit on it, stating it was for mature players.
This age limit curtailed its initial launch success by limiting its intended audience, but it led to a franchise that now has numerous other titles for sports console fans to enjoy.
Regardless of what type of gaming console you enjoy playing on, there are a host of incredible games as well as a huge variety and genres of sports to try your hand at. Despite the fact many games on this list are incredibly dated, and most have newer releases, and legacy versions, these seven classic sports console choices still have fans of all ages eagerly leaning to play them.
