Play the game, if you can’t play the game | Top 5 sports games

1-    Scoring a hundred against the Aussies on a tough MCG wicket.

2-    Winning the Formula 1 World Championship with Ferrari.

3-    Scoring a hat trick against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League Final.

Before you become sceptical about my claims and open your Google tab on your browser to search about me, I’ll save you time and decipher the mystery. The magnanimous feats above are all achieved in Electronic Arts (EA) Cricket, F1 2019 and EA FIFA 19 respectively.

Let me share a back-story on how I ventured into video games. I’ve always wanted to be a Formula 1 driver but soon realised I don’t have the skills as well the financial backing. So to quest my thirst for racing I started playing video games and trust me if felt no less than real life. Video games not only help in simulating one’s goals in their desired sport but also allow you to improve your creative skills and hand to eye co-ordination.  If you’re a fan of sports, video games or both this article is for you. Let’s look at the top 5 sports games.

FIFA Franchise -

This is undoubtedly the holy grail of sports game franchise. Although I’m a FIFA fanboy this game finds its spot in the list purely on merit and not under bias circumstances. The game constantly trade blows with its main rival Pro Evolution Soccer for the ultimate crown but FIFA has the knockout punch with better game graphics, better career modes, better gameplay and some clever marketing gimmicks. The game includes licensed players, leagues and stadiums from across the globe which has made it the best selling sports video game franchise in the world. Started from a very beginning in 1993 and untapped potential market, the franchise has come a long way to signing marquee players such as Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Eden Hazard on their cover. Regardless of whether you’re a football or video game fan or not, this is the franchise on which you should get your hands on. Well, if you’ve had enough of your friends boosting about his dribbling skills on field, it’s time for you to humble brag about your dribbling skills in game. { Also Read | Ranking The Worst of FIFA Games (Last 15 Years) }

F1 Franchise -

This game is the FIFA of Formula 1. After having played F1 2011, F1 2012, F1 2013 and F1 2014 I can convincingly say that it is the best racing simulator out there. F1 is the few of those games which would compel you to play in real time and not according to the time in the game. To simplify a 90 minutes game in FIFA isn’t 90 minutes in real time but whereas a 1 minute 50 second lap around Spa would cost you 1 minute 50 second in real time. It’s one of those games which get better as you keep playing. With its career mode literally simulating the steps like the junior series in real life the game does give about a real enriching experience. With every year the franchise bringing all the official drivers, teams and circuits from that year and also some flavourful cars, drivers and circuits from the history it gives us racing fans no reasons not be on our ‘games to play’ list. With Formula 1 hosting the annual F1 Esports series, you might find yourself a role of simulator driver for Ferrari, Mercedes or McLaren.

Read Also: Technology's revolution in sports

Madden NFL-

Even though I haven’t actually played this game but I’ve read and heard enough about the game for it to find a spot on the list. It’s an American football game by EA sports. It bears its name from legendary hall of fame Pro Football coach and commentator John Madden .As claimed by Forbes Madden NFL 19 the best looking sports game. Even though America being the only major market for the franchise the game has generated sales of more than $4 Billion.  Often regarded as the game which reinvented EA. EA has always been at the forefront of sports game and I’d be lying if Madden NFL along with FIFA isn’t the one which drives the legacy of the developer

WWE 2K -

This game relishes all the childhood memories in a fastlane. With the ignition of the franchise in 2000 the game has become an annual rollout. The game features all the active roster, pay-per-views and different gameplay modes. Each year’s rollout features improved game mechanisms, better graphics and something more than just wrestling. For any sports simulator the biggest question it has to answer is ‘How realistic it is?’ and this is one of the game which has been answering this question with full marks. With no competition and WWE’s promotional storylines for the game it has become the synonym for wrestling games.

EA Cricket 07-

Loyal cricket fans still curse EA for discontinuing the cricket franchise after EA Cricket 07. Maybe with their crystal ball EA saw the future as FIFA being the bigger franchise and drove their attention away from cricket games. Even though EA Cricket rolled out in 2006 there is wide variety of player who still play the game with simultaneous updated patches. EA lost licensing for most of the teams, only Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England had licensed players and kits however the other teams could be edited in team management option. Even though the game didn’t have high end graphics, online community or any of the fancy things we see now in modern games but it remained still one of the most enjoyable cricket games. I wouldn’t hesitate to rate it above Don Bradman cricket 17 and Ashes 19.