Lately I have been on a sports games kick. I dont know if its the simple mindless pick up and play style of gameplay that I like, the great multiplayer aspect, or the fact that I already understand the rules and how the game is played but there is something very appealing to me about the genre. I also like the fact that the different versions of essentially the exact same game can really highlight technological differences from one console to the next or from year to year. I know there are more exciting games out there where you can kill aliens with machine guns or leap from building to building but these games really capture two of the most beloved past times in recent history (video games and sports) and so putting them together is a match made in heaven for me. Also, these games capture a snapshot of sports history with real team names, logos, player names, their photos, stadiums, etc. They tore down the Metrodome here in Minnesora and so to be able to go back and take a virtual tour of it is really cool.
I have a hard time getting into the sports games that came out from the 5th generation onward because developers seemed to want to trade simplicity for convoluted menus and option screens, character customization, etc and I think EA was the biggest culprit of this. Me and my girlfriend at the time tried going back to Tiger Woods 03 or 04 and it seemed to take forever just to get into playing the game. I tried making a character as f***ed up looking as possible but was pretty disappointed to see that you really couldnt do that. I was spoiled by the character creation in WWF Attitude which I view as the gold standard for character creation in sports games.
While I do appreciate some of the efforts put forth by Nintendo in the way of Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, etc I cant justify spending $30+ for a loose copy of a golf game when I can find a CIB golf game on a different platform for less than $5.
I have yet to find a basketball game I really like though I have a ton of memories with NBA Hang Time for N64. NBA 2K was awesome from what I remember.
Football games I never played anything besides Madden 03-06.
Baseball I feel that Simulator 1.000 for NES is the best of the bunch
Golf games for me is a toss up between Pebble Beach for Genesis and Fred Couples for 32x. but in reality theyre all fun.
Hockey games I never got into. I hear a lot of praise for Blades of Steel and Ice Hockey both for NES but never got around to playing them
Tennis games Ive only tried one on the Xbox and wasnt that impressed
Olympic style games, Track and Field is of course the king. nothing comes anywhere close to it and I would say is my favorite game of all time.
Bowling games I never really played a lot but would like to know which one is the best. Is that even considered a sport?
Super Spike V Ball and Super Dodge Ball are really fun 2 player games for NES
what are some of your favorites?