PS2 Sports Games - the best

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Lancer
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PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by Lancer »

I got nostalgic and picked up a PS2 on ebay for like $50. It was the glory days of sports videogaming during the PS2 era. I'd like to pick some up - what are your recommendations. Here is what I have so far :

1.NFL 2K5
2.NCAA FB 2004
3.NCAA FB 2006
4.MVP BASEBALL 2005
5.HIGH HEAT 2003

That covers baseball and football I think. I probably want to pickup a Madden game from the ps2 days but what was the best one that gen?

Golf - Golf wise Tiger Woods games were pretty fun then too.
Racers - any tips?
Soccer - wasn't really into soccer back then so no clue what's good.
Basketball - NCAA Hoops 2K and EA 's March Madness series - what are the classic games here?
Hockey - thinking I'll pass.

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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by Jimmydeicide »

NHL 2k3 /2k5 (2k3 my all time fave).
Soccer id go with the earlier pro evo series for that gen .

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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by pk500 »

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Racing for PS2 is one of the finest racing games ever pressed to a disc. Amazing in every possible way.
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Dave
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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by Dave »

Don't forget the ToCA Race Driver series, had a blast with it back in the day!
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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by Wilk5280 »

Madden 2004 - 08 are all really good.

I think 2005 was probably the best one. If you're a franchise guy all of those are far and beyond what anything on the current gen offers in terms of depth and features.

If you're into arcade/extreme sports don't forget about SSX Tricky, SSX 3, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. All really good games! I've been going down memory lane lately as well. I've been playing THPS 2 on the Dreamcast more than anything else of late. IMO, the Dreamcast, PS2, and original XBOX era of gaming is tough to beat.
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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by Rodster »

I second Madden 2005 as it was competing against NFL2K5 and EA went with Tony Bruno and his call in show. It was really well done and IIRC their entire 2005 lineup was quite solid.

I also second Winning Eleven Soccer, whether it's WE 2006, 2007, 2008. It was and still is amazing for it's ball physics and opponent AI.

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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by Lancer »

i forgot all about 2K Hockey. they had some good games. was only thinking of EA.

For college hoops were EA's March Madness games better or 2Ks?

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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by Jimmydeicide »

Well actually i never played it on Playstation but i did on pc and xbox but NHL 2004 was a very good hockey game also.

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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by pk500 »

Dave wrote:
Tue Jul 14, 2020 11:51 pm
Don't forget the ToCA Race Driver series, had a blast with it back in the day!
Hot damn, I'm a fool for forgetting TOCA. Get that and WoO Sprint Cars, and you're set for racing.
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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by dbdynsty25 »

The two best hoops games on the PS2 were NBA Inside Drive 2004 and NBA Live 2003 (I believe). Both were outstanding.

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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by pk500 »

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Thu Jul 16, 2020 11:16 am
The two best hoops games on the PS2 were NBA Inside Drive 2004 and NBA Live 2003 (I believe). Both were outstanding.
Wasn't Inside Drive published by Microsoft Studios and therefore an Xbox exclusive?
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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by dbdynsty25 »

pk500 wrote:
Thu Jul 16, 2020 11:42 am
dbdynsty25 wrote:
Thu Jul 16, 2020 11:16 am
The two best hoops games on the PS2 were NBA Inside Drive 2004 and NBA Live 2003 (I believe). Both were outstanding.
Wasn't Inside Drive published by Microsoft Studios and therefore an Xbox exclusive?
Sh*t, you are right. Just was thinking back to that era and what I was playing.

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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by pk500 »

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Thu Jul 16, 2020 2:05 pm
pk500 wrote:
Thu Jul 16, 2020 11:42 am
dbdynsty25 wrote:
Thu Jul 16, 2020 11:16 am
The two best hoops games on the PS2 were NBA Inside Drive 2004 and NBA Live 2003 (I believe). Both were outstanding.
Wasn't Inside Drive published by Microsoft Studios and therefore an Xbox exclusive?
Sh*t, you are right. Just was thinking back to that era and what I was playing.
Inside Drive was a great franchise.
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"First on the throttle, last on the brakes." - @MotoGP Twitter signature

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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by Lancer »

got my ps2 in the mail and started playing.

first of all the games look terrible on hdtv. i've read up though and ordered some competent cables as it seems that's the only way to improve the picture quality on a hdtv.

I can see now why people use emulators as that resolution is clear and crisp. but i dont want to spend $300 on a new rig + monitor so I'll live with the $50 ps2.

although the games don't look visually great right now, the gameplay is unmatched. Played NCAA 06 and the responsiveness of the controls is unmatched this gen. nothing get stuck in animations and runs so smooth. It feels like how a videogame should.

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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by ddtrane »

Try NHL HITZ and NFL BLITZ just for a bit of fun.
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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by Sudz »

pk500 wrote:
Tue Jul 14, 2020 2:02 pm
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Racing for PS2 is one of the finest racing games ever pressed to a disc. Amazing in every possible way.
Awesome game. I remember picking it up solely due to PK's recommendation back when it came out.

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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by GB_Simo »

pk500 wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 9:20 pm
Dave wrote:
Tue Jul 14, 2020 11:51 pm
Don't forget the ToCA Race Driver series, had a blast with it back in the day!
Hot damn, I'm a fool for forgetting TOCA. Get that and WoO Sprint Cars, and you're set for racing.
Those and IndyCar Series 2005. If you fancied an arcade racer then maybe Burnout 2, or Shox for something a little different...

Soccer-wise, I'd recommend Pro Evolution Soccer 5 (Winning Eleven 9, I think?) if you want something a bit slower and more considered. For a faster pace, Pro Evo 4.
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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by Naples39 »

Late PS2 era for me I basically only played the PES/Winning Eleven Soccer games. Maybe Winning Eleven 7 or 8? I don't remember the numbers.

I also like Outrun 2006: Coast to Coast for a chilled out arcade racer.
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Re: PS2 Sports Games - the best

Post by Wilk5280 »

Burnout 3 Takedown is the king if you're into arcade racers. One of the best arcade games of the generation.
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