Top 20 Sports Video Games of All Time
Top 20 Sports Games of All Time
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Sports Games of All Time!
For this list, we’re observing the absolute best sports games you could play. Note that we’re not necessarily looking at sports sims (you know, the annualized licensed sports games), but we’re primarily considering games centered around sports in general.
What’s your favorite sports game? Did it make it on the list? Let us know in the comments below!
#20: “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games” series (2007-)
Back when the original game was first revealed, it was hard to believe that a game featuring both Mario AND Sonic was coming out. As one can tell from the title, this series depicts Mario, Sonic, and their friends and foes competing against each other in the Olympics. It's not the crossover game we wanted, but it still proves to be an enjoyable time no matter what platform you play on. Each iteration comes with its own collection of games to play with the Dream Events serving as excellent, more video game-y versions of the events.
#19: “Steep” (2016)
Those looking for the ultimate package in snowsports may look no further. While the game’s reveal generated disappointment at the end of Ubisoft’s E3 2016 conference, it offered a wealth of game modes to satisfy any snowsports fan. In addition to skiing, snowboarding, and paragliding, players can also take part in sledding, BASE jumping, and...flying with rocket-powered wingsuits? The game even received one last update in the form of “the X Games pass”, adding in extreme sports. With so many modes to play as well as a solid story campaign, “Steep” may entice you to take a trip to some snowy mountains.
#18: “100ft Robot Golf” (2017)
Yeah, this game is just as ridiculous as its title. “100ft Robot Golf” sees players using mechas to play golf around cities, on the moon, in volcanoes, or whatever else is lurking around in the custom courses. Unlike regular golf, you only have to worry about being the first to sink your ball, and to make things a bit trickier, every mecha has a different method of building power. The best part about this game, though, is you can be a total troll by getting in the way of your opponent’s shot or smacking them around with your club. And the commentary provided by Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy makes “100ft Robot Golf” an absolute riot!
#17: “Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup” (2003)
Hey, if Quidditch is becoming a real sport, it deserves to be on this list! “Quidditch World Cup” allows players to take part in the famed sport we witnessed in the first “Harry Potter” movie. Two teams of three must fly around a field and try to throw the Quaffle into one of three ring goals. Players will have to utilize special moves and tricks to beef up their score. In addition to its excellent multiplayer and solid roster, players can try out challenges at Hogwarts to improve their skills or compete in a World Cup. There may be a bit of a learning curve, but “Quidditch World Cup” becomes immensely satisfying to play once you’ve figured it out!
#16: “Mario Tennis Aces” (2018)
There have been a plethora of “Mario Tennis” games, but none reached the same level of quality as “Mario Tennis Aces”. Not only does the game finally give Mario and company some sweet tennis attire, but it also includes a fun and entertaining campaign involving a cursed tennis racket. Players can also host or join online tournaments, some of which may be hosted by Nintendo themselves and offer prizes in the form of new outfits for characters or MyNintendo coins. After the travesty that was “Ultra Smash”, “Aces” managed to turn the ship and deliver us the “Mario Tennis” we’ve been waiting for!
#15: “Skate 3” (2010)
Look, skateboarding can be hard… Like, REALLY hard! “Skate 3” provides a fantastic skateboarding experience with its creatively designed parks and vibrant environments, but let’s be honest - you’re not just here to pull off sick tricks. What reels most people into “Skate 3” (and the series in general) is how it makes failing hilarious. Whether you’ve genuinely flopped or deliberately bailed from a jump, seeing your character shatter almost every bone in their body is side-splitting. And hey, if you want more of that, there’s plenty of challenges in the Hall of Meat to conquer! So, break a leg...or two!
#14: “Mario Superstar Baseball” (2005)
Don’t worry - Mario Sports Games aren’t going to dominate this list, but “Mario Superstar Baseball” is one not to be overlooked. Players can now make a baseball team composed of the Mushroom Kingdom’s residents from heroes and baddies to allies and minions, and there’s tons of ways to play! You can start Challenge mode and build your ultimate team before taking on Bowser, or compete against friends and AI in a handful of minigames. And if you needed more baseball action, you probably picked up “Mario Super Sluggers” on the Wii, which provided an experience just as thrilling!
#13: “Rocket League” (2015)
It’s pretty much one of the biggest online multiplayer games you can play right now. “Rocket League” pits two teams of vehicles against each other in one of the most competitive sports on Earth - soccer. Developer Psyonix tries to mix things up on occasion with Rumble modes that give players power-ups or modified matches of pre-existing modes. Of course, what is arguably the game’s main attraction is its deep customization, offering players a wide variety of car parts, decals, goal explosions, and more to express themselves. If you haven’t, you should see some of the awesome builds people have created!
#12: “Tecmo Bowl” (1989)
Without “Tecmo Bowl”, sports sims wouldn’t be where they are today. “Tecmo Bowl” was extraordinary with its near-perfect replication of American football from gameplay to presentation. When it initially launched, we were ecstatic to finally get to play as our favorite football teams! Those personal debates about who would win a game would finally be put to rest! And as if the half-time show wasn’t enough, “Tecmo Bowl” was easy to pick up and play thanks to its simple controls and fast-paced gameplay, and its sequel, “Tecmo Super Bowl” was just as great!
#11: “Wii Sports” (2006)
While its sequel, “Wii Sports Resort”, added in many more modes to enjoy, there was something about the original title that still draws players in today. Was it the casual approach to the sports sim genre? Or the fact that it showed the potential behind motion controls in gaming? Or how about the way it encouraged players to become more active in their gaming sessions with bonus challenges, fitness tests, and Pro level rewards? Nahhh, you know what makes it REALLY special? It’s that brilliant bowling! Landing turkeys makes you feel like a real pro!
#10: “Everybody’s Golf” (2017)
This is, perhaps, the ultimate golfing video game for newbies, casuals, and veteran golf fans! “Everybody’s Golf” puts you in a world where just about anyone and everyone loves playing golf. It provides a multitude of options to customize your character, features a wealth of unique courses and tournaments to play, and best of all, it even lets you drive the golf cart! You can also take time out of your games to freely explore the courses so you can observe the land, meet up with friends, or simply take a breather. Needless to say, this entry in the twenty-year-old franchise is the golfing fantasy for fans of the sport!
#9: “NBA Street Vol. 2” (2003)
Whereas most basketball games kept the action in stadiums, “NBA Street Vol. 2” took us into the neighborhood for some b-ball! The game kept the same formula as its predecessor - a seemingly normal game of basketball that only intensifies when someone pulls a B-S “Gamebreaker” shot. What made it stand out, however, were the exceptional visuals, great sound design, and the soundtrack’s tasty jams! It also helped that the game was easier to get hold of (in terms of controls) than most other basketball games. Who would want to play outside when you had a game as cool as this!?
#8: “Ring Fit Adventure” (2019)
What many health, fitness, and sports games forget is that sometimes, it’s okay to make things a little less real and a little more video game-y, you know? Just when we thought no one could strike the perfect balance, Nintendo came crashing in with “Ring Fit Adventure”. Using a plastic ring and leg strap, players can jog through a fantastical world as they get fit enough to stop an exercise-obsessed dragon named Dragaux. You’ll have to do a variety of exercises in order to beat monsters and execute attacks at their full potential. Creative in concept and execution, it’s no wonder why “Ring Fit Adventure” sold nearly six million units!
#7: “MLB The Show 20” (2020)
“MLB The Show” may be another one of those annualized sports sims, but Sony’s San Diego Studio has done a top-notch job at giving baseball fans the ultimate gaming experience. Old game modes like Franchise and Road to the Show were great to revisit, and new modes Showdown and Custom Leagues were fantastic additions. Speaking of leagues, thank you for giving us our online leagues back! It was also nice to see the hitting and fielding mechanics get some tweaks improvements, too. This was certainly a game made for baseball fans!
#6: “Super Mario Strikers” (2005)
Okay, we promise - this is the last sports game from our favorite plumber! Whereas most “Mario” sports games just slap Mario and his pals in some kind of sports setting, there was something about “Super Mario Strikers” that resonated with more people. Judging from the intense visuals effects and punky artstyle, it seemed like Mario was ready to show us all what makes soccer an awesome sport. This was Mario with attitude, and with its accessible design and giving us the ability to body check others, “Super Mario Strikers” was incredibly fun to play with friends! Here’s hoping we get a new iteration soon.
#5: “WWF No Mercy” (2000)
There have been dozens upon dozens of wrestling games made since WWE exploded in the 80’s. And yet, no matter how many more we get in the future, none have come close to being as good as “WWF No Mercy”. The character creation was done incredibly well compared to previous wrestling titles. The Championship mode’s branching paths kept us coming back for a new set of challengers. And to wrap it up in a nice hammerlock hold, it presented an easy-to-learn control scheme. And it gave us all that goodness while laying us down on the mat.
#4: “SSX: Tricky” (2001)
While “SSX: Tricky” does focus quite a bit on racing, it provides enough features involving snowboarding in general, thus why we’re excluding it from the criteria. “SSX: Tricky” saw players sloping down mountains and valleys and performing stunts along the way. Either beat your opponents to the bottom or set a new high score to brag to your buddies. It also gave off some cool vibes with its colorful cast of boarders and sick selection of music. Besides, how can you not love a game when it greets with some Run D.M.C.?
#3: “NBA Jam” (1993)
“NBA Jam” wasn’t just another basketball game - it was a game that evoked the spirit and energy of the sport. It was the novelty of playing as some of our favorite basketball players at the time against, strangely enough, Bill Clinton. It was the thrill of dribbling a ball that’s literally on fire and smashing it through the other team’s board. And lest we forget the ability to shove our friends around without any penalties. Boomshakalaka!
#2: “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2” (2020)
Honestly, it was hard deciding which “Pro Skater” game was the best, but given how the originals’ controls haven’t aged well, we have to give it to the remake “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2”. One could say it’s great given how consistently awful previous titles had become. Others could point to its appreciation for skater culture and awesome soundtrack. But the real savior of this game was the refined controls, exceptional visuals, and the return of Create-A-Skater and Create-A-Park. Regardless if you are into skateboarding or not, this is a heck of a game to play!
#1: “Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!” (1987)
It should go without saying that “Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!” is perhaps the most famous or infamous sports game...depends on who you ask. It couldn’t possibly be because of Iron Mike’s insanely hard fight, right? Well, it wasn’t just that. “Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out” was revolutionary in video game animation as it showed a new way for enemies to telegraph attacks. It was how the game replicated that feeling of success and excitement in overcoming an obstacle as big as a King Hippo! It was how those fights instilled some kind of rivalry between you and the characters. This was how “Punch-Out” became the best sports game made and how it became an icon in pop culture.
