(AfroGamers.com) In recent years, I’ve come to appreciate sports games more. That’s primarily down to watching Dynasty videos and franchise rebuilds.
I’m a big simulation game fan and the GM, Player Career, and MyLeague modes were what I went to if I played a sports title since I’ve never cared for competitive online. Recently, my brother just got the new ESPN Sports College Football 27 and recent controversy with the experience gains in the games Dynasty mode aside, the game improved on the mode heavily in part by implementing NIL.
Love For Amateur GMs and e-Head Coaches
It was interesting to see a mode that usually gets ignored in sports games (WWE 2K’s Universe mode could be deeper). Then again, as my brother explained, the Dynasty mode is actually the selling point for the game since it’s college football and the rise and fall of programs drive viewership and engagement of news for college sports.
It’s different from professional sports video games where the selling point is playing online, competing with your premium team, and unlocking legends.
Freshening Up Arcade Sports Games
There is a subgenres of sports games I always enjoyed and will play competitively and it’s the arcade-y sports games. Your titles NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, FIFA Street, NBA Street, Street Hoops, and NHL Hitz. In the 1990s and 2000s, these games were often advertised better than the games for the real world version of the sport.
Now, it makes sense. Games in a sports series are released annually with expected updates that come off more like tweaks if you read the list of improvements. Over the years, new modes have been added but I still maintain that a Blitz mode or Jam mode could just be added to Madden and NBA 2K games.
Bringing Back Blitz?
Even easier, make it a particular ruleset in options. Mind you, in Blitz’s case, it would require more work and a new controller map since Blitz had wrestling moves added in. Of course, I can see the Blitz mode not getting much love or play and being a possible issue for licensing.
That’s why another Blitz the League with a focus on a fictional roster in the core game and modes for player career and franchise would be a welcome addition. The thing with these games is that you tend to get a season or story mode.
Dusting Off Street Hoops
Street Hoops is a great example of something close to what would pique my interest as far as a career mode. Its World Tournament mode followed your player as they faced off against other teams featuring streetball veterans and legends of basketball.
Since it’s a story mode, it does have an ending but I say make it more a career mode within a competitive streetball league. Include a schedule, team popularity within the league, basically everything a Player or GM management mode would feature as far as league changes and balance.
Of course, streetball had a presentation that was similar to skateboarding with the skate videos from the same period of popularity. In the story mode for a revived Street Hoops, it would be best to lean into the arcade side of the game and take a Tony Hawk Underground approach to it, minus the stunts aspect.
Plus, drafting would be odd to have in a game about streetball. Ultimately, the features are to extend the gameplay past the story mode which has an end and little post-game. Also, with streetball not having the same popularity or hype as it did in the 2000s, it’s not like players would be getting with friends for hours on the blacktop…especially when The Park is right there.
Although, I have heard that players aren’t feeling The Park like they were because of sweaty players. Of course, they can ruin competitive in any game most of the time.
What are some arcade sports games or alternative sports titles that you enjoyed? Share them in the comments and let us know which ones you wouldn’t mind getting a modern remake or reboot.
Staff Writer; M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.