Man, the PlayStation 2 is absolutely LOADED with a variety of sports games, including some of the greatest games ever. If you’re the type of gamer who likes having a bunch of different sports games, the PS2 library is a gold mine.
15 Best PS2 Sports Games
For starters, here’s my ranked list of the top PS2 sports games, listing only the best version of each series:
Hockey
EA Sports NHL: The series got good starting with NHL 2004, which introduced the skill stick and is generally regarded as the best on PS2. I happen to prefer the much different NHL 07 and its odd control scheme.
2K: In my opinion, this series was always second banana to EA, but some people praise ESPN NHL 2K5. I think NHL 2K6 is the strongest of the series.
Hitz: NHL Hitz 2002 is a good 3-on-3 arcade hockey game, and the followup NHL Hitz 2003 is FANTASTIC. They switched to a 5-on-5 game for NHL Hitz Pro, which I like but definitely has some issues.
FaceOff/Gretzky: Sony’s series got worse and worse. Only FaceOff 2001 is worth a try for some simple, early-gen hockey action.
Basketball
Street: PS2 doesn’t have great basketball sims or something close to NBA Jam’s arcade appeal, but EA’s Street series stands out. People seem to agree that NBA Street Vol. 2 is the best choice.
2K: Revered at the time, this generation of NBA and college 2K games really hasn’t held up. I’m not sure on the best version, perhaps NBA 2K8. (See NBA 2K6)
Live: EA’s sim series is just okay on PS2. NBA Live 2003 is good for unrealistically fast action. NBA Live 2005 was popular for its Slam Dunk Contest mode.
March Madness: EA usually did something unusual with the college series, and March Madness 06, although way out of whack with itself, offered some short-lived fun.
Football
Madden: PS2/Xbox was the golden era of Madden, hitting just the right balance of technology and taste, with the best football gameplay out there (Yeah I said it!). Everything from 2004 to 2012 is very high-quality. Madden 2005 is my choice and generally regarded as the series peak.
2K: ESPN NFL 2K5 is the vaunted champion of football gaming among reviewers and internet dorks. It’s the most sympathetic football video game ever, since EA snatched the NFL license before a 2K6 could come out. The earlier installments aren’t nearly as good. Get 2K5 if you don’t already have it.
EA Sports NCAA: These basically use the same engine as Madden, so it’s mostly just as good especially for folks who prefer the college game. NCAA Football 06 is great.
Blitz: PS2 got NFL Blitz 2002 and NFL Blitz 2003, and they’re fine, just missing the ruggedness of earlier generations. The more sim-focused Blitz Pro is stupid. Then after the NFL license went away, there was Blitz: The League, replacing fun gameplay with distasteful gags.
Street: I’m not a fan, but a lot of people really like these games, especially NFL Street 2.
GameDay: Sony’s series never really got good enough to stand out before they give up, but the last, GameDay 2004, is decent for an easier-going brand of football fun.
Baseball
The Show: Sony’s baseball series grew up into the great baseball sim it is to today during its PS2 run. The only drawback is that the PS3 generation’s games look much better with no dip in the gameplay. (See The Show 10 on PS2)
MVP Baseball: EA seemed to be winning the heart’s of baseball gamers with MVP Baseball 2005, but then had the MLB license taken away by 2K, much like EA did to 2K in football. Whatever, I don’t think they’re better than the Show anyways.
World Series Baseball/2K: Well, World Series Baseball 2K3 is good but not great, and the series really went downhill after that.
High Heat: Jeez, more baseball sims? Yeah, and High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 is surprisingly good despite lightyears behind the Show.
Slugfest: From 2003 to 2006, Midway put their arcade slant onto the baseball diamond. The games are fine but pretty “meh.” (See Slugfest 2003)
The Bigs: It’s 2K’s two-game attempt at arcade baseball, pretty creative and loved by some. I’m not a huge fan, plus it’s also available on the next gen. (See The Bigs 2)
Soccer
FIFA: FIFA is another series that looks and plays much better on the next gen, but grew up a lot in the PS2 era. FIFA 2005 gets some love on the Internet, and FIFA 08 is worth checking out.
Pro Evolution: It’s easy to get confused by the naming conventions in this series, but the games are good, somehow offering a distinctly exciting soccer experience that doesn’t not feel like a simulation. (See Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007)
Sega Soccer Slam: Soccer Slam is a one-off and it’s surprisingly fun 3-on-3 action with no-name cartoon characters.
RedCard: RedCard 2003 is Midway’s one and only soccer game. It’s got some appeal but sorely needed a sequel to build on its strengths and fix its weaknesses.
FIFA Street: Eh, don’t get excited, man. FIFA Street is weird and slow and doesn’t succeed in injecting arcade levity to soccer.