Sports have a way of bringing people together. It unites us all across borders, oceans and cultures. So, naturally, sports video games encourage gatherings. Some of these game franchises have grown so huge, it seems that just about everyone has played them. Have you enjoyed all of the top five game franchises?
Tecmo Bowl
For many, Tecmo Bowl is the first sports video game franchise they ever played. It was one of the first game releases on the original Nintendo. But even before it came to NES in February 1989, Tecmo Bowl was an arcade game. Since then, it’s been on Game Boy, Wii, DS and other Nintendo consoles. A new version was released in 2013.
Tecmo Bowl stands out because it was the very first game to feature actual NFL players, a tradition it has maintained.
Madden
When it comes to football video games, one name always comes to mind: Madden. Developed by EA Sports, it’s named for Hall of Fame coach John Madden. This game distinguishes itself from other football games by offering voice-over commentary, the same sort you hear when you watch games on TV.
It’s been released on just about every platform you could name dating back to 1988 (it was on the Apple II!), and a new game was just released in 2013.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
The first version of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater came out in 1999, after Tony Hawk’s huge debut at the 1998 X-Games. Since then it’s been released on a whole host of game consoles. Pro Skater puts players inside many different skateparks where they perform various tricks. This game stands out for the customization features it offers. When Pro Skater offered all those options and came with a soundtrack featuring actual recording artists, it was very unique and refreshing. Now, many other sports games have followed suit.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour
When Tiger Woods PGA Tour came out on PC and PlayStation in 1998, Tiger Woods was already a household name as a famous golfer. He always featured prominently in the game, though many other well-known PGA Tour players were also included. It came out on many different platforms, including computers, until Electronic Arts canceled their partnership with Woods.
NBA Live
NBA Live is one of the oldest sports video game franchises, and that means different generations of gamers have enjoyed it over the years. It’s been around since 1995, and it’s been created for a ton of different platforms. You can even play it on your iPhone. It stands out among other basketball games for its realistic game play.
Sports Video Games
Sports video game franchises will continue to thrive as long as sports continue. And wherever there are sports games, people will get together to play them. Which one will you play next?
