CJ James
CJ James
Jul 20, 2017 · 5 min read

What’s your favorite Sports Game of All Time?

Sports gamers, put the controller down for a minute. I would like you to think about your favorite sports game. What was the feeling you had when it was in your possession for the first time? If you start to reminisce on the great times or even start playing it again, then the power of sports games has done its justice. The enjoyment of playing as your favorite athlete, or boosting the sliders to defeat your friend who you could never win against( Its ok, we have all been there) is only a fraction of what sports games has become and where they are headed. You might not even notice but sports games impact your way of thinking. Games today are much more advanced and realistic to where a simple mistake can determine the outcome of a game. I was playing Pro-Am on NBA 2K17. My team and I were drawing up a play in a late game situation. The thrill of seeing your concept come to life and it being the deciding factor is indescribable. I have played hundreds of sports games, so the process of trying to rank the best three was extremely difficult. My Top 3 were not just games I loved playing, but games that still affect me to this day.

3. Backyard Sports(Humongous Ent. 2001): During a conversation with friends, the topic of best sports game athlete of all time came up. Most agreed that Michael Vick in Madden 2004 held the crown and it was not close. When they asked me I said two words. “Pablo. Sanchez.” If you were born in the mid to late 90s like myself, Pablo Sanchez(kid sliding into 2nd base in the picture to the left) was our generations Bo Jackson. Seriously. Despite being small in stature, Pablo was exceptional in every sport, which is why he was given the nickname ‘The Secret Weapon’. Backyard Sports was the number one sports software game for kids at the time. What made the game unique was the stars of the game were not professional athletes; the kids held the spotlight. You were able to create your own player and draft your team based on each of the stars’ attributes. As a young GM, coach and player the objective was to win as many regular season games possible to have a chance to play in the championship game. Backyard Sports was such an exciting game because you learned the fundamentals of each sport and you were introduced to legends like Steve Young and Kevin Garnett. Backyard Sports is the reason why my love for sports is so prominent today.

2. NFL Street 2(EA Sports Big-2004): When NFL Street released in 2004, I thought to myself, no other sports arcade game would be able to top this one. Eleven months later my mind drastically changed. Similar to their predecessor, the game was a seven on seven masterpiece that showcased the league’s best players in a more urban style. New features like the wall juke and running off the wall to make a spectacular catch was one of the few things that made Street 2 a game breaker (pun intended). As a kid, my friends and I used to emulate the style of play and we were fortunate to come out of those games unscathed. Could I jump off the wall and make a one handed catch like Shockey in 2017? I don’t think so. Game modes such as “Own the City”, “Crush the Carrier” and “Jump Ball Battle” were fun to play, especially if you had a friend over. I have always imagined what this game would look like on next gen consoles with the current NFL roster. One can only dream but there is no doubt that NFL Street 2 is the best sports arcade game…EVER.

1. NBA 2K11(Visual Concepts-2011): Perfection.There is no other adjective to describe NBA 2k11. Every single aspect of this game was excellent. From the introduction of reliving MJ’s first ever game in the NBA Finals to rewriting a current or past NBA player’s career in Create A Legend. Every game mode had their own flavor that left gamers glued to the TV. The rise of MyPlayer is what really put 2K11 at the number one spot. Draft Combine Scrimmages, Summer League games against your rookie class, designing your signature shoe, the attention to detail from 2K was paramount. As a gamer you felt like you were living the life of a NBA player. Playing the Jordan Classic games made me appreciate the dominance of MJ as well as the greatness of his competitors. Crew Mode back in 2k11 set the foundation for the popularity and recent success of Pro-Am/E-League. Even the soundtrack was gold. ‘Symphonies’ by Dan Black ft. Kid Cudi is in my morning playlist on my phone. The song is timeless with every listen. We are approaching seven years since 2K11 hit the stores and it still remains the king of kings.

Sports games are more than just a disc you insert every year for updated rosters and gameplay. Teamwork, leadership, and the will to win are traits I value and they stem from my 15 years of sports gaming. A common of interest in a sports game is one of the reason why I consider most of my friends family. So when you are hurdling your buddy in Madden or scoring the game winning goal in the third period of NHL 17, treasure the moment, it is why you love the game.

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CJ James

Written by

NYC. Host of '4 The Love of the Game' Podcast Follow me on Social Media! @cjvstheworld

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