The landscape of sports gaming has changed dramatically over the last decade, with a reduction in the number of games produced, evolution of distribution and a shift in newly prioritized features to maximize the revenue they generate.
While there is legitimate reason to be frustrated by the evolution of the genre, there is no question the games that do remain are generally of high quality: Expansive feature sets that allow them to be played in a number of different ways, partnerships with leagues that provide incredible authenticity and technological advancements have taken gameplay and graphics to a whole new level.
MORE:
With the decade coming to a close, the best of the best in the sports gaming genre deserved to be recognized. Some games that fall just outside of the top five include "NBA 2K11," which would have made the Denver Broncos T Shirts cut if the list included multiple titles from a single franchise. It was the release that launched 2K to a stratosphere previously unimaginable.
"Madden NFL 17" was easily the best Madden of the decade in a series has been aggre sively mediocre. "Super Mega Baseball 2" stands out as the best arcade-style game, and yet many elements were more realistic than its sim counterparts. Any number of entries from the "Out of the Park Baseball" series could also have made it as the best of the sim-management games as well.
With that, a look at the top five sports video games from the 2010s:
5: 'MLB 13: The Show'
Almost any iteration of "MLB: The Show" from the decade could be considered among the best sports video games of the decade. The series has been Cody Conway Jersey the most consistent in the genre for both its strengths and its weakne ses.
'MLB 13' and its release late in the PS3 run gets the nod because it was the first one to pull everything together as a complete product by finally achieving a decent online play experience. Ironically, online regre sed in 'MLB 14' before recovering in following years. The only real areas of disappointment with 'MLB 13' related to its dated commentary, along with a Diamond Dynasty team-building mode that hadn't evolved yet to what would soon become the best of its kind in the genre.
With a complete and fully functional feature set and a gameplay adjustment that opened up the timing window at the plate making hitting more realistic and enjoyable "MLB 13: The Show" earns a spot in the best of the decade as a representative for the reliable franchise.
4: 'NCAA Football 14'
With at least a , the "NCAA Football" franchise still remains on the minds of many because of how great the final entry in the series was.
Anyone who Bradley Chubb Jersey revisits "NCAA Football 14" is struck by how well it has held up, six years after it first published and landed in the previous generation of consoles. The level of detail and authenticity put into gameplay and the surrounding college-specific experience is striking.
The game wasn't perfect, however, and nostalgia has caused some of its flaws to have been forgotten. The Road to Glory career mode went untouched from the previous year, the commentary was stale, a number of uniforms and stadium upgrades were mi sing and seemingly only one penalty (clipping) was ever called.
Despite that, it remains fondly remembered for its rich Dynasty Mode, a surprisingly good Ultimate Team its first attempt at it exceedingly fun gameplay and a long overdue fix to sluggish menu navigation and slow loading times. That removed a level of frustration that had built up over the years.
Many will cite "NCAA Football 14" as the best sports game of the decade, though that's due in part to the fact it was the last licensed college sports game to release. And while it's certainly a great game, it's unlikely it would be quite as revered today had it been followed up by "NCAA Football 15."
3: '2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa'
Until recently, EA Sports would release standalone games for the World Cup. The release every four years would come in between the annual FIFA game releases. They benefited from improvements for that coming FIFA game and were more approachable for those who weren't as dedicated to soccer fandom.
Right around 2010 is when the FIFA series exploded to become a global phenomenon. It would not only consistently become the highest-selling video game in the world, but also take its place among the top 10 in North America. Some of the credit has to be given to "2010 FIFA World McTelvin Agim Jersey Cup South Africa" a game so fun that it turned many into soccer gaming fans who would later transition to the mainline FIFA franchise.
"World Cup" was a lot more appealing for those with even just a fleeting interest in the sport or the worldwide event. The games were more free-flowing, the characters on the pitch more skilled, making it easier to have fun while learning as a novice. Beyond that, it was the atmosphere and emotion that elevated every moment. Even the vuvuzelas love them or hate them were there.
Still, the game Denver Broncos Jackets unfortunately lacked Online Team Play and experienced some framerate i sues during cutscenes. Very little else could be cited as problematic. A new online mode called World League Ladder was introduced, which influenced similar online modes in other sports games in the years that followed.
"2010 FIFA World Cup" is one of the select few sports video games from the decade that was fun and rewarding to play, even while on the losing end. That helped turn many into soccer gaming fans for life.
MORE:
2: 'Rocket League'
"Rocket League" came out of nowhere in 2015, and is as relevant now if not more than it was upon release. The hybrid racing/soccer game was incredibly well designed and has received unprecedented support in the years Champ Bailey Jersey since its release.
"Rocket League" initially was given away as a free download to PlayStation Plus subscribers, a brilliant move that got the game in the hands of consumers who might not have given it a chance otherwise. Since then, it has grown to more than 60 million players, making it by far the most played sports game of the decade. It also has the biggest presence in the world of esports.
Rocket League is easy to just pick up and play, but has remarkable depth that allowed for a natural skill gap to emerge. Several different variants can completely change players' approach to the game, from the standard 3v3 to more challenging 1v1 or 2v2. The online experience is excellent, even when teamed up with and facing off against random players.
The post-release support has been unmatched in the genre as well, with DLCs being limited to cosmetic items rather than pay-for-play advantages. New cars (including licensed tie-ins like Fast and Furious and Back to the Future) and other variants, like basketball and hockey modes, have kept the game feeling fresh.
Credit shoul