Sports games. I don't get it.

[J T]

Every time I look for used games, there is always some point where I reach the M through N section where my eyes just gloss over at all the white boxes. But, perhaps I haven't given these games a fair chance. Do any of you guys play these games or do sports games just tap into a different market than the type of people that browse retro gaming websites?

I used to like games like Tecmo Football, NBA Jam, and Baseball Stars. Is there anything I should pick up that I can get for a few bucks in my local Gamestop?

I just picked up ESPN NFL 2K5 for $1 and I bought Winning Eleven 7 for $2.50 not too long ago. I probably don't need another football or soccer game, but do you guys have any recommendations for a good Hockey, Baseball, or Basketball game on the PS2?

[the King]

MLB: The Show Series on the PS2 are really good baseball sims.

If you liked NBA Jam then you might want to check out the NBA Street series.

[miked]

Not sure if you like Tennis, but I thought the original Top Spin was a great game. If you can get 4 people around the TV, doubles matches can get damn intense. If you don't like simulation, then Virtua Tennis is always classic.

I also like a Tiger Woods game every now and then. Its relaxing and you don't have to give it 100% of your attention.

[J T]

Thanks for the recommends. I wasn't even thinking of Tennis or Golf, but those are good ideas too. Regardless of the sport, I have pretty much ignored these games for years, and now I figure they are worth at least giving a try if they're in a bargain bin.

I have another question, if I'm going to buy a game from a series like the MLB The Show games or the Madden games, are there many differences from year to year? Like, if I get a game from 2007 is it pretty much the same game from 2003, but with a different roster? Or do they improve the graphics, sound, or play control from year to year?

[jp1]

For multi player fun my friends and I always enjoyed NFL Blitz on Dreamcast.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

The NFL games on Dreamcast are a lot of fun.

[MrPopo]

I have another question, if I'm going to buy a game from a series like the MLB The Show games or the Madden games, are there many differences from year to year? Like, if I get a game from 2007 is it pretty much the same game from 2003, but with a different roster? Or do they improve the graphics, sound, or play control from year to year?

It really depends. My understanding is that on average the year-over-year changes are small (aside from roster). I'd say that you'd want to avoid the first one or two titles on a given platform and get one of the later ones, as they now have all the upgrades they'll need for that particular generation.

Of course, I say sports games peaked with NBA Jam on the SNES.

[the King]

I have another question, if I'm going to buy a game from a series like the MLB The Show games or the Madden games, are there many differences from year to year? Like, if I get a game from 2007 is it pretty much the same game from 2003, but with a different roster? Or do they improve the graphics, sound, or play control from year to year?

It really depends on the series. Like if you were to buy one pro football game, you bought the right one in NFL 2K5. A lot sports gamers belief that it's still the best football game ever made to this day and there are online communities that update the roster year to year and host leagues.

Every year each series tries to improve gameplay and add new elements. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. For example last years EA college football game was the worst in the series IMO and it wasn't received very well by most gamers. The game wasn't complete. Now, it was the prettiest football game I ever played, but you couldn't play defense.

A couple of games I have held onto are NHL 03 and and NBA 2k5. I'm sure neither should be more than a couple bucks at gamestop.

[Funk, E]

Blitz: The League for Xbox is pretty badass.

[Lokkenjawnz]

Yeah I tend to agree with you for the most part: sports games are definitely for a specifically targeted crowd. I've got a cousin who literally has every baseball game from the past three years, on every console, and he still wants the new ones. He even admits that it's ridiculous that he keeps getting these games, but I guess the rosters are a big deal if you're really into sports. He got me NBA Ballers for the PS2 though, and it's surprisingly fun. I thought it was going to be a lame sports BS game, but it's more akin to an arcade game, very easy to pick up. And you have these ridiculous trick moves that are fun as hell. You should check it out, I'm sure it goes for pretty cheap nowadays. I think there's a sequel too, but I've never played it.