Top 10 Sports Videogames of All Time (so far)

It's a good time to be a sports gamer. Madden 24's just around the corner, and it's rumored to be the best game the series has had in years (not a high bar). On top of that, the first College Football videogame is on track to drop next summer, which is one of the most anticipated games of all time (don't look that up, just trust me). This got me thinking, "What are some of the best sport-based games ever made?" So, without further adieu, here are my top 10 greatest sports videogames of all time.

Honorable Mentions

NBA Street, NCAA Football 07, NCAA Football 09 All-Play, Madden NFL 10, Madden NFL 16, Wii Sports Resort, F1 2022, NCAA March Madness 2007

10. EA Sports FIFA series

I've never played any of these (nor do I currently plan to), but I've heard that even sports fans who don't like soccer (real Americans) enjoy these games, so I figured I'd include them in the top 10.

9. NBA 2K10/2K11/2K12

The only of these three games I've played is 2K12, but the three seem to be on the same level from what I've heard. I've personally never been too big into NBA 2K games, but I have some good memories jumping on My Player mode and doing everything I can to get my teammate grade above a C. It's a fun game.

8. NBA Jam: On Fire Edition

I did play this game, both on console and the mobile version, and its a lot of fun, NBA Jam is at its best when going head-to-head in multiplayer against a friend, and you can dunk on Isaac from the EA classic Dead Space as Santa Claus or cross up former VP Dick Cheney with NBA Street legend Anklebreaker thanks to the bonus teams included in the game.

7. Wii Sports

I have a very unique relationship with Wii Sports, which is why I have it lower on the list than most people I know would. However, I can't deny that it was an awesome game for a small group of friends and/or family to play and have fun with together. Plus the general soundtrack is legendary, which elevates any game.

6. Madden NFL 2005

Widely considered the best Madden game of all time. I'm not really sure if I ever played this, but I'm willing to trust what I've heard with this one. I also wanted to include a Madden game in the top 10 because of how big it's been and how much I enjoy playing the series, and the recent ones (the ones I've played most) aren't all that good.

5. Backyard Baseball

A top-2 installment in one of the most memorable PC sports game franchises, Backyard Baseball will always hang around somewhere in my mind. From the most dominant slugger of all time in Pablo Sanchez to speed demon Pete Wheeler to legendary wheelchairman Kenny Kawagucci (the developers consistently misspelled Kenny's last name in the game as Kawaguchi), Backyard Baseball's bleachers were loaded with high-end talent to pick for your team, and possessed an elite commentary crew in Sunny Day and Vinnie the Gooch (I'm uncomfortable).

4. MVP Baseball 2005

I remember MVP Baseball 2005 fondly; it was wild in the best way possible. Hittin' dingers in the home run derby and school buses in the batting minigame while throwin' heaters with the classic pitching arc overhead as. Those were the days.

3. Backyard Soccer 2004

Backyard Soccer might have the most enjoyable gameplay in-game on this list. Driven by another top-tier commentary crew including Sunny Day and English soccer and tea enthusiast and color commentator Earl Grey, Backyard Soccer gave Pete Wheeler a chance to really show off his wheels alongside real-life soccer stars, including Landon Donovan and Brandi Chastain from the US Men's and Women's National Teams, respectively.

2. NBA Street Vol. 2

If Backyard Soccer doesn't have the best gameplay on is list, that title would go here. NBA Street was such a fun game to play, and there really weren't any weaknesses in the game as a whole. Whether you're the kind of person who enjoys playing a game over a long period of time on your own or you just want to sit down and wreck your little brother in a quick head-to-head throwdown, this is the game for you.

1. NCAA Football 2013

What else could possibly top this list but arguably the greatest game ever made? The gameplay is phenomenal (most of the time). NCAA 13's Road to Glory is probably my top "story mode" in any sports game so far. 13's Dynasty reigns supreme as the #1 game mode across all genres in my book. And the classic Exhibition is also great for the "little brother" scenario I mentioned with Street 2. Need I say more?

Breakdown by Developer

EA Sports (6; includes EA Sports BIG): 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

Humongous Entertainment (2): 3, 5

2K Sports (1): 9

Nintendo (1): 7

Content Reviews for America's Birthday

Just a few notes on some of the things I've watched over the last month. Spoilers are in all of these.

Stick Rating Scale

0-1.2: Not even fun-bad (Least/Very Low)

1.3-2.0: Fun-bad (Low)

2.1-2.5: Not bad but boring/not good (Average)

2.6-2.9: Fine (Above Average)

3.0-3.4: Good (High)

3.5-3.9: Really good/borderline great (High)

4.0-4.5: Great (Very High)

4.6-5.0: Elite/Top 10 all-time (Very High/Most)

Movies

Nope.

Not a good movie. The story was really lame; there were a few things that intrigued me (The murder monkey, the one girl who was on the murder monkey show that had the toothy face at the horse feed thing, the camera pro who was watching tape about animals eating each other, etc.) but they never did anything to develop those aspects of the story. None of the characters had any depth, and the only likeable one in my opinion (the guy who bought the ranch) seemed like he was supposed to be unlikeable and died in a really lame way. I did like the UFO itself being the alien, and I thought it was cool (easily the best character); however, the whole point of the movie was to get this alien on camera and prove it exists/make money (which I didn't like in the first place), but the way the movie ended and the way the alien died (getting popped like a balloon by a balloon) was absolutely horrendous. There are some cool visuals and "spooky" moments, but not nearly enough to redeem this movie.

Rating: 1.1/5 sticks

Here Comes the Boom

Good movie. I watched it yesterday a little while after watching the poop-show I broke down first, and it was a great change of pace. Marty (the music teacher whose job is at stake) is genuinely a top-10 all-time movie character for me regardless of genre; he's so perfectly written and acted (s/o Henry Winkler), and he's such a good contrast with the rest of the characters around him. Kevin James is always a good time, and the character development across the board felt so much deeper and stronger after watching Nope. Also, Joe Rogan is in this movie; take this information as you will.

Rating: 4/5 sticks

Shows

The Boys Season 3

Easily the best season of the show so far, especially on the rewatch. I won't say much about it; I'm really excited for season 4 because of what this season did, and I have a ton of thoughts on that which I may or may not cover in another article soon. Two quick things:

1. It's wild that Butcher's actor (Karl Urban) is Eomer in Lord of the Rings and Bald Guy in Thor: Ragnarok.

2. Don't let anyone under 18 years old watch any of this show, especially this season.

Rating: 3.9/5 sticks

The Mandalorian Season 3

Another season 3 of a show that was decent through the first two seasons; however, I'm not as high on this one as I was for the last one. Again, I'm not gonna say much. It was fine. There were some cool things. Lizzo was a big-time, massive, HUGE addition to Star Wars canon (the biggest thing we've seen since the second Death Star); she stole the entire screen with every appearance. It was almost as if the other characters disappeared from the screen with how colossal and imposing her presence was.

Rating: 2.9/5 sticks

Secret Invasion (the first two episodes)

It might end up being the best MCU show when it's over, which really isn't a high bar. It's been decent so far; at first it seemed like Nick Fury was washed but he might be getting back to pre-Captain Marvel form after Rhodey fired him. The story is pretty easy to follow and decently predictable so far (pretty much every main plot point in the first episode went exactly how I thought it would. I didn't really have a problem with that. I think there are a few things I might need to go back and re-watch, and hopefully I'll want to re-watch it still after the season ends (which has only been the case with Loki so far, and Loki wasn't that good). It's very much a change of pace from the multiverse/time stuff in the rest of the MCU, which is nice.

Rating (incomplete): 2.8/5 sticks

There are probably a handful of other things I've watched, but this is all I really want to comment on. Peace.

Dr. Commish's Early Preseason All-Big 10 Team

by Josh Hunter

Offense

QB - Kyle McCord, Ohio State

As of right now, the conference's quarterback situation as a whole is incredibly uncertain, with only a handful of players returning to their starting jobs at the position. Of those, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy stands out as the only realistic first-team All-Big Ten player, but his former teammate (Iowa's Cade McNamara) has a stronger resume, and may even be a better quarterback. I couldn't put either of the two ahead of the other in good conscience, so I decided to go with more of a projection based on supporting cast and program history. Ohio State's Kyle McCord may not become a top-2 NFL draft pick like his predecessor C.J. Stroud, but the talent surrounding him on offense is unmatched (more on that later). No other player in college football is entering a more opportune situation than McCord is, and I expect him to take advantage of the opportunity and compete for the Heisman trophy as a first-year starter. Penn State's Drew Allar and Maryland's Taulia Tagovailoa were also considered.

HB - Blake Corum, Michigan

This position is much more straightforward: There's Blake Corum, and then there's everyone else. Corum put up monster numbers last season (1,463 yards, 18 TDs rushing) before being injured late in the regular season, and will look to build on that success in 2023 after deciding to return to school for another year.

HB - Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

A handful of names were considered here, but none are quite as fearsome as Braelon Allen from Wisconsin. At 6'2" and 240 lbs., Allen is an absolute nightmare for opposing defenders to try and bring down. I expect him to solidify himself as one of the best running backs in the conference, as well as in all of college football, this season. Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson, Michigan's Donovan Edwards, Penn State's Nick Singleton and Iowa's Kaleb Johnson are a few other names to watch out for.

WR - Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Like with halfback, the top spot at wide receiver in the Big 10 is undisputed. Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. was debatably the best player in all of college football last season regardless of position, and could prove to be the best receiver prospect the NFL Draft has seen in a long time.

WR - Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

This was also a relatively simple choice. Last season, despite playing opposite the aforementioned Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka posted WR1 numbers (74 catches for 1,151 yards and 10 TDs). Unbelievable. Kyle McCord has ELITE weapons.

WR - Tyrese Chambers, Maryland

After the top two Ohio State receivers, there's usually a slight dip in talent at the position in the conference, and this season the dip seems to be much more than a slight one. Maryland's Tyrese Chambers tops the list of the remaining Big 10 wideouts after transferring in from FIU, and will look to make a name for himself against Power 5 competition. Minnesota's Chris Autman-Bell and Michigan's Cornelius Johnson were two other top names considered. (Check out this link for a position ranking from College Football Network: https://collegefootballnetwork.com/big-ten-wr-rankings-2023/)

TE - Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota

In his five years at Minnesota, Brevyn Spann-Ford has yet to reach 500 receiving yards or catch more than 2 touchdowns in a season. So, why is he the choice here? Well, he's big. There aren't many people in the world who are 6'7" and 270 lbs, and there are even fewer who are proven receiving threats that can also be a force in the run-blocking game.

LT - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State

Penn State's Olu Fashanu could've chosen to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft and likely would've been taken early in the first round (potentially as early as #3 overall). He's a beast, and will likely be one of the best offensive tackles in the nation again this season.

LG - Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

On an offensive line with three 2023 NFL draft picks (including #6 overall Paris Johnson Jr.), Ohio State's Donovan Jackson was arguably the best of the bunch last year. His return to a mostly inexperienced O-line should help the Buckeyes' transition at quarterback be a lot smoother.

C - Anyone not named Logan Jones

Honestly, the Big 10 lost all of its proven talent at center over the past two drafts, so I can see pretty much anyone other than Iowa's Logan Jones taking this spot.

RG - Connor Colby, Iowa

Iowa makes good offensive linemen. It's what they do. Despite their recent struggles up front as a unit, Connor Colby has emerged as a fine player who could very quickly enter conversation for the Outland trophy, the award for the nation's top interior lineman, this season.

RT - Jack Nelson, Wisconsin

Wisconsin's Jack Nelson is a really solid football player. If Olu Fashanu had gone to the NFL, Nelson would've likely been my pick on the left side, as that's his position at Wisconsin. The two aren't on the same level, but I would still confidently say Nelson is the best of the rest.

Defense

DE - J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State

Ohio State's J.T. Tuimoloau has the size (6'4", 270 lbs.) and to play both inside or out on the edge, and can even drop back into coverage and hold his own if needed. He should be the biggest problem up front facing most Big 10 offensive coordinators next season.

NT - Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois

The biggest boy on Illinois's defensive line, Keith Randolph Jr. has recorded 8.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections and 2 interceptions over the past two seasons.

DT - Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois

Illinois's Jer'Zhan Newton was the cornerstone of one of the conference's top defenses last season, and has legit top-10 draft pick potential next spring if he continues to dominate. Ohio State's Michael Hall Jr., Michigan's Kris Jenkins and Iowa's Logan Lee were also in the mix.

LE - Deontae Craig, Iowa

An unspoken talent up front for arguably the best defense in the conference last season, Iowa's Deontae Craig earned the nod here at left end after taking down opposing quarterbacks 7.5 times in 2022 (2nd-most in the Big 10 behind 4th-round Pittsburgh Steeler draft pick Nick Herbig of Wisconsin). Teammate Joe Evans, as well as Penn State's Chop Robinson and Ohio State's Jack Sawyer, were also considered.

MLB - Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State

Ohio State's Tommy Eichenberg may not sound like an elite football player, and I wouldn't say he is. But he was a tackling machine last season (2nd in the conference with 120 total tackles), and is set to be the top off-ball linebacker in the Big 10 in 2023.

LOLB - Nick Jackson, Iowa

Iowa's next top linebacker, Nick Jackson, transferred in from Virginia following 3 back-to-back 100+ tackle seasons. He's got some big shoes to fill replacing top-20 NFL draft pick Jack Campbell, but he's a high-level player who can really shine in the middle of Phil Parker's defense.

ROLB - Junior Colson, Michigan

Michigan's Junior Colson was really solid as a sophomore last season, racking up 101 tackles and 2 sacks. If he takes another step up, I could see him becoming the best linebacker in the conference this year.

CB - Will Johnson, Michigan

Michigan's Will Johnson is a dang good football player. He's only been in college for one season, and didn't really break out statistically until toward the end of that season, but his size (6'3" and 190 lbs.) and clear skill already have him in the conversation as the best cornerback in the country. We'll get a more complete picture of what he can do next year as he enters a full-time starting job, but I expect him to capitalize in a big way on the few targets he gets per week this year.

CB - Kalen King, Penn State

Another elite Big 10 East cover corner, Penn State's Kalen King took advantage of the opportunities he was given opposite 2022 2nd-round draft pick Joey Porter Jr. to the tune of 3 interceptions and a jaw-dropping 15 passes defended last year. With Porter Jr. now taking up residence in the Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary, King will likely not receive the same kind of attention he did last year from opposing quarterbacks, but expect him to still produce at a high level this season. I didn't really consider anyone else for either of these spots, but watch out for Iowa's Jermari Harris and Ohio State's Denzel Burke.

DB - Cooper DeJean, Iowa

One of the top defenders in all of college football, Iowa's Cooper DeJean can line up anywhere in the defensive secondary and perform as well as anyone in the country at that position. His talent and versatility show up both on tape and on the stat sheet, as DeJean finished last season 3rd on his team in tackles (75) and 1st in passes defended (8), and tied for 2nd in the conference in interceptions with 5.

FS - Rod Moore, Michigan

I wasn't really sold on anyone at safety other than Michigan's Rod Moore. Moore had a really solid season in 2023 with 71 total tackles and 4 interceptions. He's my top returning Big 10 safety, and has All-American upside.

SS - Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa

This one's more of a projection than most other picks on this list, but after watching Iowa's Xavier Nwankpa against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl, he could absolutely become the star of the Hawkeyes' defense (including DeJean) as soon as week 3 of this season. Another few guys I looked at on the back end of the defense are Iowa teammate Sebastian Castro, Ohio State's Lathan Ransom, and Minnesota's Tyler Nubin.