Sports and Stuff: S&D Online

There is sometimes a game that will come out and make such a huge impact in the sports video game world.  Here are my top 5 life-changing sports video games…

5. NHL Hitz (XBOX)

Whether you like the NHL or not hockey games are among the most fun video games.  NHL Hitz brought with it the idea of pure arcade hockey for the new generation.  It all started with the classic “Rollin’” song by Limp Bizkit.  If that didn’t get you pumped up the announcer sure did.  After that, if you still weren’t excited you had to turn the corner when you players would reach their sticks up to the sky, a lighting bolt would hit them, and they would light on fire!  This game was simply fun to play.  In an age where games were finally starting to get sophisticated, Hitz gave us a pick up and play game.  The best way to score was doing a 360 before you shot the puck.  The game was life changing for me because of the time I spent with it.  It is rare to have a game where every time you turn it on you know you are going to have fun…especially with a friend.  What more could you want, and, oh yea, the goalies turned into a brick wall sometimes.

4. PGA Tour Golf II (Sega Genesis)

I’m not sure how many of you would remember this game, but it is life changing.  The amount of rounds I played with this game is uncountable at this point.  Why is this game so memorable?  To put it simply, the game was perfect.  Golf games are a lot of fun now.  I own Tiger Woods 2006 I think and it is a lot of fun to play.  PGA Tour Golf was great on a different level.  There are three elements that I would remember forever.  The courses – Sawgrass and Scottsdale were easily my favorite.  That is how I knew hole 17 at Sawgrass!  Putting – Push “B” and you are taken to a 3D screen of the green.  It is a perfect way to line up your putt.  Swing power – The three click system was amazing.  I still remember that a 4ft putt uses a 10ft putter and you go to the 3^rd line.  Life changing.

3. Baseball Stars (NES)

Baseball Stars was first great baseball game in my opinion.  It was a little before my time but I still got plenty of playing time in over my years.  The customization options were better than what we see today!  I remember making my own team with my friends name or the names of the current Pistons team.  Then, you had to go up against the Lovely Ladies (easily the worst team) and mercy them in 1 inning (less than 3 minutes) and earn money so you can make your player attributes better.  Finally, who could play that game and forget the American Dreams!  You get to play against “Cy” and “Babe” all the time.  The Black Ninjas were pretty good too.

2. NHL 94 (Sega Genesis)

Does this need explanation?  I put Sega Genesis but this can also be played on Super Nintendo I just never did.  Also, pick any year you want from NHLPA 91 to NHL 98 and I will say the game is life changing.  One of the greatest movie scenes ever is inspired by this franchise.  Swingers made this game a classic because everyone understood what was going on in that scene.  These games had the best game play to date when dealing with hockey games.  I don’t know what else to say but “Watch Gretzky’s head bleed, look man, I made is head bleed.” 

1. NFL 2K (Sega Dreamcast)

For those who personally know me, you know this had to be up there.  This is not about what are the best games of all time per se.  I am not here to argue that 2K football is better than Madden (or at least was while it was around).  Life changing sports games can be pinpointed with this game.  I remember being at a friends house in 1999.  He had a Dreamcast and we watched the demo of the game that he had.  I was hooked from then on.  The game introduced a 300% improvement in the graphics department from any other game, it was all 3D.  Commentary was out of control great and players actually caught balls.  NFL 2K changed the shape of football video games.  It also changed the way I looked at sports video games.

What do you consider a life-changing sports video game?  Now, I’m not a complete loser.  Life-changing is used in a light fashion.  Obviously, my entire life did not change.  My video game life did change, however.