Based Ball: Backloggd's Curated List of Sports Games
Despite being a massive chunk of the fiscal pie and the frameworks being pretty lock-and-key with video games, only a few sports titles ever grab the general audience and even fewer are cherished by the enthusiasts.
I certainly don't expect this list to be populated with everyone's favorite FIFA year or whatever, but I'm hoping we can highlight the standout titles in the genre!
I certainly don't expect this list to be populated with everyone's favorite FIFA year or whatever, but I'm hoping we can highlight the standout titles in the genre!
43 Games
A brash as fuck distillation of football, for better (every second has a potential for greatness) and for worse (injury played for laughs, also Midway has uncle-like sensibilities).
Less about the grand strategy of real gridiron and more about 1-on-1 skill and mindgames, which, IMO, suits the arcade bent perfectly.
Less about the grand strategy of real gridiron and more about 1-on-1 skill and mindgames, which, IMO, suits the arcade bent perfectly.
Most team-based sports games have the player assume the role of tactician, leading only the most relevant teammate along at any given time. In contrast, everyone in Rocket League is responsible for themselves, so the weakness of a strategy almost always stems from lack of coordination and ego-checking. You might be a toy car, but that sounds pretty sports-like to me.
Also, a big fat A+ for game feel.
Also, a big fat A+ for game feel.
Suggested by Squigglydot
"Ridge Racer Type 4 is a love-letter to speed, to the arcade, to Namco as a brand. Amazing game."
"Ridge Racer Type 4 is a love-letter to speed, to the arcade, to Namco as a brand. Amazing game."
Suggested by fairywands
Suggested by fairywands
Suggested by fairywands
Suggested by tomzacz
Suggested by kingbancho
Suggested by DustyVita
Suggested by DustyVita
Suggested by DustyVita
Suggested by DustyVita
Suggested by DustyVita
Suggested by SoniqueBaianor
Suggested by Hot_Anarcocoa
Suggested by Hot_Anarcocoa
Suggested by Hot_Anarcocoa
Suggested by Hot_Anarcocoa
Suggested by Hot_Anarcocoa
Suggested by Hot_Anarcocoa
Suggested by JaxMagnetic
Suggested by JaxMagnetic
Suggested by JaxMagnetic
Suggested by DJSCheddar
Suggested by neptea
Suggested by neptea
Suggested by tangysphere
Suggested by FrozenRoy
"Madden NFL 07 would fit great on here! Somewhere from 06-08 on the PS2/Gamecube/Xbox are considered the best Madden games, and 07 has the best parts of 06 and 08 together, the kind of competition NFL 2k5 was facing, the peak of Madden should obviously be on here."
"Madden NFL 07 would fit great on here! Somewhere from 06-08 on the PS2/Gamecube/Xbox are considered the best Madden games, and 07 has the best parts of 06 and 08 together, the kind of competition NFL 2k5 was facing, the peak of Madden should obviously be on here."
Suggested by FrozenRoy
"All-Pro Football 2K8 would be a welcome inclusion, being an evolution of NFL 2k5's gameplay and arguably the best "less arcade-y" football game in terms of game feel (tho no franchise mode is lacking)."
"All-Pro Football 2K8 would be a welcome inclusion, being an evolution of NFL 2k5's gameplay and arguably the best "less arcade-y" football game in terms of game feel (tho no franchise mode is lacking)."
Suggested by FrozenRoy
"NASCAR Thunder 2003 or 2004 should be on here, I would pick 2003 due to the original points system being in place and potentially a bit more features, but they're still unmatched in the realm of NASCAR games for game feel and depth."
"NASCAR Thunder 2003 or 2004 should be on here, I would pick 2003 due to the original points system being in place and potentially a bit more features, but they're still unmatched in the realm of NASCAR games for game feel and depth."
Suggested by BansheeNeet
"Would like to nominate NFL Street for this list, a game I liked so much it got me to start watching American Football."
"Would like to nominate NFL Street for this list, a game I liked so much it got me to start watching American Football."
Suggested by Overpowered
Suggested by SuperSpeedRaven
Suggested by Hot_Anarcocoa
Suggested by SithOggdoBogdo
Suggested by letshugbro
"I think Toadstool Tour deserves a place here with Advance Tour. Two different styles of Mario Golf that complement each other nicely."
"I think Toadstool Tour deserves a place here with Advance Tour. Two different styles of Mario Golf that complement each other nicely."
Suggested by letshugbro
Suggested by letshugbro
Suggested by letshugbro
Suggested by letshugbro
16 Comments
Sure thing, also hope you don't mind but I replaced Aces with Power Tour. They're similar games but I think PT is more feature-complete!
Np, I haven't actually played any of the Mario Tennis games, I just know Aces has a good reputation. Oh, I suppose Pong aught to also be included as it's based on ping pong lol
Ooh how could I forget Windjammers!!!
MVP Baseball 2005, Backyard Baseball 2001 and Sega Bass/Marine Fishing should be here
SEGA's NFL 2K series was amazing and the unquestionable peak is NFL 2K5, probably the best football game ever
@JaxMagnetic very sick choice in Backyard Baseball 2001, added!
Punch-Out!! (2009)
Trials HD/Trials of the Blood Dragon if that counts, sorry for spamming I keep remembering more lol
Madden NFL 07 would fit great on here! Somewhere from 06-08 on the PS2/Gamecube/Xbox are considered the best Madden games, and 07 has the best parts of 06 and 08 together, the kind of competition NFL 2k5 was facing, the peak of Madden should obviously be on here.
All-Pro Football 2K8 would be a welcome inclusion, being an evolution of NFL 2k5's gameplay and arguably the best "less arcade-y" football game in terms of game feel (tho no franchise mode is lacking).
NASCAR Thunder 2003 or 2004 should be on here, I would pick 2003 due to the original points system being in place and potentially a bit more features, but they're still unmatched in the realm of NASCAR games for game feel and depth.
All-Pro Football 2K8 would be a welcome inclusion, being an evolution of NFL 2k5's gameplay and arguably the best "less arcade-y" football game in terms of game feel (tho no franchise mode is lacking).
NASCAR Thunder 2003 or 2004 should be on here, I would pick 2003 due to the original points system being in place and potentially a bit more features, but they're still unmatched in the realm of NASCAR games for game feel and depth.
Would like to nominate NFL Street for this list, a game I liked so much it got me to start watching American Football.
Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!
@BansheeNeet I love the Street series, and I somehow completely forgot to add NBA Street. Imho, the best arcade-y basketball game.
@BansheeNeet I love the Street series, and I somehow completely forgot to add NBA Street. Imho, the best arcade-y basketball game.
All this handegg and no Pro Evo 6?
If we're counting arcade racers I'd definitely suggest OutRun 2006 or PGR2
If we're counting arcade racers I'd definitely suggest OutRun 2006 or PGR2
Punch-Out is a MUST
Smash Tennis on the SNES :)
I think Toadstool Tour deserves a place here with Advance Tour. Two different styles of Mario Golf that complement each other nicely.
Other suggestions:
- Everybody’s Golf
- Mario Strikers Charged
- Wii Sports Resort
- Go! Vacation
Other suggestions:
- Everybody’s Golf
- Mario Strikers Charged
- Wii Sports Resort
- Go! Vacation
Hot_Anarcocoa
2 years ago
3 on 3 NHL Arcade
Wii Sports
Kirby's Dream Course
Super Monkey Ball 2 (Mini Games)
Golf Story
Mario Tennis Aces