If my actions playing sports games counted towards sporting achievements, my trophy cabinet would be a lot fuller.
I’m sure I’m not the only person of a slightly geekier persuasion who excels more when sports involve using your thumbs and forefingers wrapped around a controller. But our question to you today isn’t about preferring the virtual version of an activity. It’s: What is your favourite sports game of all time? I used to live and breathe California Games in my youth. These days I’m more of a FIFA guy, when I get the time. Let us know your favourite sports game in the comments.
Playing with balls is Gizmodo AU’s week-long look at the technology behind the sports we love, from the jerseys to the balls and everything in between. Go the Kings!
Salmonpie
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 11:56 AMHas to be the skating game 720 by Atari. the crazy spinning joystick was awesome.
Tom
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 12:04 PMBlades of Steel on NES
Adam
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 12:09 PMI agree 100%. California Games is the best sports game, ever!
Sam
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 12:13 PMProbably Amped 2 for me. Was hooked on that for ages.
trist
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 12:24 PMcalgames….ahhh the time l have spent on the bmx is ridiculous
Fake Dive
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 12:54 PMWC 98 on the N64. best controls, great fun in 2vs 2 mode and also FAKE DIVEs, and random ref strictness. Great game. Still play it today
Jezza
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 1:34 PMJonah Lomu’s Rugby
lee
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 1:55 PMcali games for sure!!!
Glen
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 2:11 PMDave Mirra BMX on the Dreamcast. Was hooked for months, weekends were sitting on the couch pulled close to the TV next to the esky!
Volg
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 2:13 PMMutant League Football was my all time favourite. So much of my life was wasted, ney, enriched from playing that game
Wade
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 2:22 PMHard to go past California Games, actually. For those that loved the surfing part there’s Bobble Surfer on iPhone which is worth a try.
Regan
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 4:24 PMAs a few have mentioned that has to be California Games… when I was in school our reward for finish typing tutor was we got to play the games until everyone else caught-up… damn I learnt to type fast… although I could never get hacky sack right.
Daniel
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 7:47 PMNHL Hitz (yes with a z) 2005 I think, on the gamecube. Man WHAT a game. 3 on 3 ice hockey is a killer formula. Many late nights have been spent playing this bad boy. Especially good multiplayer, 4 players is great.
DK_Son
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 8:54 PMI would have to say that Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX on the PS1 was the best for me and my friends. We used to hire it for a week from Video Ezy then get it the next week coz we had only like $2 to our name and couldnt afford the game as an outright purchase. We hired that thing for ages and ages.
I’d have to say that I can go back to any Tony Hawk Pro Skater game and play it. I love them all. I can finisht he first level, The Hangar all in the first 2 minutes. Get all the cash, all the trash cans, video, points and everything in that two minutes. That game rules.
However Skate and Skate 2 are incredibly awesome as well. Im not keen at all on the soccer/footy games or cricket games. Wrestling is aiight as well. But TBH Guitar Hero is the best game.
glennc
Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 9:41 AMi think i have spent the most time on skate/skate2. i used to like the tony hawk games but then stupidly kept buying them way after they shoulda stopped making them so it kinda killed the franchise for me. i can spend months on skate and not achieve a single game achievement. just skating around.
Matt
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 9:13 PMNHL94 on Sega is in the top 10 games of all time. Cali games was awesome and gets my second vote (who could forget the BMX, Rad, Gnarly) and how much the skating pissed you off with the massive wind up each jump needed just to get over a bloody banana peel! Go Team Auzzie!!
-Matt
Gregory Opera
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 9:28 PMEasy – Daytona USA, hands-down. ;-)
fingerbeats
Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 10:23 AMTiger Woods PGA Tour + mates + beers = good times