The best sports games on the current consoles

I just realized the extent I have neglected this genre in the post-16-bit eras. Blades of Steel, Tommy Lasorda Baseball, and NHL Hockey were some of my most played games back in the day.

Yet, the increased quantity of time-consuming games in other genres and the increased focus on realism in sports games(stats do nothing for me since I don't watch sports in real life) made me mostly shut out the genre aside from a few games I bought like Virtua Tennis.

Could I get the sports games fans here to list the best game for each sport? And mention if the game is a big improvement over last year's version. Since I'm not hardcore into the genre, buying a year-old version would save a lot of money.

Would I be wrong in assuming that you are looking for whatever games would be the most fun for the non-sports fan? Or are you just looking for the all-around best games? I typed up this very long reply, but I realized that I wasn't exactly sure what you are looking for so I didn't feel right recomending anything yet.

Tommy Lasorda Baseball was tremendously good, I played that all the time.

ºTracer

I'm interested in reading what people consider the all-round best games, so no they don't have to be what's most fun for the non-sports fan. But if people want to list both, that's cool.

Tracer, I have the Mega Drive version of Tommy Lasorda Baseball(Super League). It was extra special because of the Japanese voices. "Sturaiku! Outo!". :)

Sim Games
Baseball:
World Series Baseball 2K3- Xbox OR
Baseball Advance - GBA

Basketball:
NBA 2K3 - Xbox (Online Play)

Football:
NFL 2K3 - Xbox (Online Play)

Soccer:
Pro Evolution Soccer 2 - PS2

Hockey:
NHL 2K3 - Xbox (Online Play)


Arcade
Baseball:
Baseball Stars - NeoGeo

Basketball:
NBA Street - PS2 or Gamecube

Football:
NFL Fever 2003 - Xbox (Though in-between arcade and sim)

Soccer:
Sega Soccer Slam - GC or Xbox

Hockey:
NHL Hitz - Xbox, PS2 or GC (Though I wouldn't touch this game...)


Those are my opinions (of the current generation anyway)

Well it's not exactly a sports game, but given the game you listed it might be up your alley; Deathrow. It's really a great game, it's like soccer + basketball + Mortal Kombat, all providing an excellent arcadey experience, and it definitely feels just like a sports game. You can check out my review of it in the review board if you're interested :)

Add Hot Shots Golf 3 for some great golf action

Tiger Woods 2003 is, I think, the best all-around (mix of sim and arcade elements) golf game available.

The best sports game on the 3 current consoles is Tecmo Superbowl playing in an NES emu on a modded Xbox...

*runs away*

Wait for Mario Tennis and Mario Golf on the cube!!! Or go buy the N64 versions. You'll thank me.