In the 21st century, sports and gaming have become increasingly intertwined courtesy of the e-sports explosion. Thanks to the popularity of titles such as Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and Valorant, you can now find the latest e-sports odds alongside more traditional sports at many sports betting and casino sites.
However, the marriage of sports and gaming predates the e-sports age, with the two going hand in hand almost from the advent of the first console. In an era of increasingly detailed graphics and immersive gameplay, sports gaming fans have arguably never had it so good.
Whilst there is a place for hyper-realism, it isn’t the be-all and end-all in the sports gaming world. Sometimes, we like to kick back and relax with a game from simpler times. For those seeking a retro gaming session, the following releases all border on classic status.
-
Tecmo Super Bowl (1991) – NES
A game must be pretty special to retain its popularity for over thirty years. Tecmo Super Bowl is just that. A pioneer at the time of its release, the game was the first to feature real NFL players and teams. Like many of the best games, Tecmo Super Bowl is easy to learn but tough to master and boasts impressively deep strategy for a game of its time.
-
NBA Jam (1993) – Arcade, SNES, Genesis
Eschewing hyper-realism in favour of physics-defying moves, this early 90s smash hit features spectacularly improbably dunks, a thrilling “two vs two” format and iconic commentary, “He’s on fire!” A huge bundle of fun at the time, NBA Jam continues to hit the spot.
-
Blades of Steel (1988) – NES
In our opinion, the first great Ice Hockey title. Blades of Steel captivated fans in the late 80s and early 90s. Offering three difficulty modes (Junior, College, and Pro), this Konami production is both lightning-quick and silky smooth. Come for the thrill-a-minute gameplay and retro-tastic commentary and stay for the legendary fight feature.
-
Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! (1987) – NES
Another classic from the most retro-of decades. In Punch-Out!! You take the role of Little Mac, who, as the name suggests, is both small and named Mac. Battle your way up the ranks and master imaginative pugilists, including Bald Bull, Glass Joe, and King Hippo, before battling the final boss, Iron Mike himself. With each fighter boasting a distinctive style, the game tests your reflexes and puzzle-solving abilities.
-
FIFA International Soccer (1993) – Sega Genesis, SNES
All iconic franchises start somewhere. In the case of the hottest soccer series on the planet, it all began with this 1993 release. Thanks to innovations such as isometric camera angles and “relatively” realistic gameplay, FIFA International Soccer proved a huge hit and laid the foundations for all that would follow.
-
WWF No Mercy (2000) – Nintendo 64
Many wrestling titles have appeared since WWF No Mercy hit the shelves in 2000. However, not too many have achieved the instant iconic status of this N64 classic. Twenty-five years on, WWF No Mercy is still considered one of the greatest wrestling games of all time, with the smooth gameplay, career mode, and multiplayer mayhem continuing to provide a richly satisfying experience.
-
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (2000) – PlayStation, N64, Dreamcast
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 took everything the first game did well and made them better: new tricks arrived, the gameplay physics received an upgrade, and even the soundtrack was better. Topping the cool stakes at the turn of the century, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 remains one of the most satisfying arenas to pull off those insane combos.
