NBA JAM (source)
He’s heating up!
Wild Shot!
He’s on fire!
From Downtown!
BOOMSHAKALAKA

I have always been a huge fan of playing a variety of sports. I also really enjoyed playing video games as a kid, teenager, young adult, and middle-aged adult. Wow I can’t believe I am considered middle-aged now. Where in the world has the time gone? Although my throwing arm and running legs aren’t what they used to be, my fingers can still work a controller pretty well…haha.

In this blog post I want to share with you some of my favorite sports video games of all time, these aren’t necessarily the top games according to critics, and although I have played many many sports games, I haven’t played them all, these are my favorites.

Golden Tee (source)

10. Golden Tee (1989). Golden Tee is a brilliant golf game for the arcade. I didn’t really play it when it game out, I was too busying playing games like Street Fighter, which is another great sports/fighting game. But a few years ago for work, we would go out for team lunch, and after eating we would get together around the Golden Tee arcade game and play some rounds, great bonding time with my work team.

RBI Baseball 1986 (source)

9. RBI Baseball (1986) I really enjoy this baseball series of games. There are several of them and I have played a handful of each year. I have fond memories playing this game for hours, I loved hitting home runs, I mean of course I did, who wouldn’t? If I had the Play Station I am sure I would love the MLB the Show series, I hear it is an amazing game and series.

Fifa 2002 (source)

8. Fifa 2002 (PC). Although I am not into physically playing soccer, I really enjoy playing the FIFA video game series. I remember in college sitting at my computer playing this game when I should have been doing homework.

Tiger Woods Golf 2007 (source)

7. Tiger Woods Golf (Xbox) The first thing I noticed about Tiger Woods golf was the amazing graphics for its time. The game play was fluid and not clunky, an all around great golfing game and series.

From YouTube (I don't own this video)

6. Tecmo Bowl (1987) Oh my gosh, one of the most beloved sports games of all time. I fondly remember being able to throw 100 yard touchdowns, being able to run circles around players, and of course all my favorite players were in the game. @Broncofan99 reminded me of this hilarious video of Bo Jackson tearing up the field. Seriously it is hilarious.

NBA Jam (source)

5. NBA Jam (1993). My high school years were full of basketball playing and watching. Michael Jordan was in his prime; it was just a great time for sports. NBA Jam is a 2 on 2 crazy basketball game. What made it one of the most memorable games were the announcers quotes, haha. I still hear players on the court today quote the game…oh wait it is usually me that is quoting it. My friends and I would get home from school and have little tournaments. Good times.

NCAA Football (source)

4. NCAA Football 07 (2006). I love football games. And I usually like each game in the series, but I don’t feel like I need to buy every one each year. I usually would go a few years in between, lighter on the pocketbook. NCAA Football was one of those games that starting playing while in college. I would play as my BYU Cougars and play on EASY and destroy teams, he he. It was great fun. I believe a new NCAA Football game hasn’t been out in 5 years, but doesn’t make the old one any less fun to play.

Madden 15 (source)

3. Madden NFL 96 (1995), (whole series). When Madden came out, I was instantly hooked. The graphics were incredible, the game play was superb, and it was just a ton of fun to play. In the early 2000s I would play madden with my roommates. I still play Madden 15 on my Xbox One. One of my favorite features came out in the 1995 version, which was “create a player” mode. It is so fun in Madden to be able to create your own sports star and begin as a rookie and play on your favorite team. I may or may not have boosted my stats whenever I created a player. Also what I really love about these games is the off-season drafting and team building stuff that you get to do. Great series of games! One of my all-time favorites.

Mario Kart 64 (source)

2. Mario Kart 64 (1996) and Mario Kart 8 Wii U (2014). How can you not like Mario Kart? You get to drive around on tracks with cool littler go-karts and throw stuff at each other. No to mention you get to play as your favorite Mario character. I love Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U. I still go over to my friend’s house and play with him and his wife and their 5 year-old daughter. It is so fun to watch her play and get frustrated, and congratulate her when she gets better then 12th place. She is getting better.

Mike Tyson's Punchout (1987) (source)
  1. Mike Tyson's Punchout (1987). My favorite boxer growing up was Iron Mike Tyson. I was too young to really know about what he did in his personal life, but the dude could sure box. When it came out on the Nintendo, of course I had to have it. I played it for hours and hours. I remember trying to remember different codes and writing them down on paper. I remember being frustrated every time I lost to an opponent. And I remember the day I finally beat Iron Mike himself. What a thrilling victory. I was quite proud of myself, felt like I could take on the world.

So that rounds out my list of favorite sports games of all time. What are your favorite sports games? Drop a comment down below and let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.

Your Scorum Friend,

Matt aka bayareasportsfan