Summary
There is something about playing sports on the street that seems a perfect fit for video games. Perhapsit is a sense of nostalgia, from years gone by when many a childhood was spent outside playing various games with friends, improvising playing fields, avoiding hazards, and making up unique rules.
Various game series have popped up over the years, trying to fill this gap in the market, and while they have found commercial success, street sports games have generally lagged behind their more-traditional counterparts. Critically, these games are just as good, if not better, and here are some of the best, ranked by their general quality and popularity with fans.
Part of theKunio Kunseries of games,Crash ‘n’ the Boys: Street Challengemixes the sporting aspect ofSuper Dodge Ballwith the unbridled violence ofRiver City Ransom. The story involves a snooty rich kid wanting to exact revenge on some of his classmates who defeated him in sports at school, which he doesby organizing street sportswith very relaxed rules.
The five teams in the game each have five members with their own strengths and weaknesses, and there are five sports in total, competed in this order:
7Street Hockey ‘95
No Holds Barred Hockey Action
While other major sporting bodies have given their names to officially licensed street sports games, the NHL is still yet to follow suit. A North American exclusive for the SNES,Street Hockey ’95scratches that hockey itch and brings the action to the streets, swapping ice skates for rollerblades as they play bruising games on cement.
There are nine unique characters to choose from when playing, and six distinct urban environments to play in, from construction sites filled with obstacles and ramps to empty swimming pools. Five different game modes also add their own twists on the rules, such as giving different points for different types of shots when scoring goals.
6Street Sports Baseball
Kids Playing Baseball In The Neighborhood
Bringing back childhood memories of playing bat and ball games on a makeshift playing field with friends,Street Sports Baseballis sure toevoke nostalgic feelings from many players. Choosing a team from 16 unique characters, each of whom is a local kid and has their own abilities, players can have full control over batting order and field position.
Since games occur in improvised locations, such as parking lots and backyards, certain hazards are present in the field of play. Tree stumps, trash cans, and hosepipes are all potential tripping hazards, but the split screen display with a full field view can give an early heads-up about potential dangers.
Inspired by the 1990s classicNBA Jam,NBA Ballersis a streetball game where players face off one-on-one, sometimes being joined by a third competitor to make it a three-way battle for supremacy. The goal is to reach 11 points or have the highest score when the time runs out, but showcasing a player’s skills builds up the “House” meter, which can trigger an instant win.
Featuring over 60 NBA players from the time of release, plus a further 24 legends like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, this game is packed with star power. To top it all off, there is a “Rags to Riches” story mode, alleged to be the first story mode in a sports game licensed by a league.
The exaggerated appearance of the players is not for everybody inNFL Street, but thegameplay is the main selling point. No fouls, no helmets, and no injuries mean that the action is ultra-violent and over the top, and the “Gamebreaker” meter ramps up the action even more, literally breaking the game.
NFL Challenge is the main game mode where players take an amateur team and build up their attributes through development points and equipment enhancement, while also unlocking new playing fields. Showboating and taunts are also highly encouraged, earning players points towards the Gamebreaker meter.
The first entry in the series is still warmly regarded by many fans, even if critics at the time were not overly impressed, butfollowing the lukewarm receptionto the second and third entries, EA rebootedFIFA Streetin 2012. This one proved to be a hit, adding more than fifty extra skills than in its predecessor, plus both national and club teams for the first time.
Six of the world’s top club competitions are fully licensed, allowing players to use their favorite teams in 5-a-side action. This allows players to takecontrol of the world’s best professionalslike Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to test their mettle on the streets in locations like Rio de Janeiro and Venice.
Adding new tricks and dunks,NBA Street Vol. 2improved upon the much-hyped first game. All 29 NBA teams from the 2002-03 season are available for use, as well as legends like Julius Irving and three different versions of Michael Jordan from various points in his stellar career.
This game also introduced a second “Gamebreaker” level, which is even more powerful than the first, causing opposition teams to lose points and the player’s team to gain even more. Widely regarded as the best aspect of this entry is the “Be A Legend” mode, where players create their own baller and take on the best streetball aficionados, unlocking new characters and other items along the way.
Regarded by many asone of the best skateboarding gamesever made,Tony Hawk’s Undergroundallows players to skate on the streets of many cities around the world, such as New Jersey and Moscow. Featuring a highly acclaimed full story mode and extensive customization options for the player character, there is plenty for players to sink their teeth into in this game.
The addition of being able to walk adds to freedom within the levels, allowing players to climb ladders and towers to perform tricks and skate back down them. Like the widerTony Hawkseries of skateboarding games, this entry added to the popularization and legitimization of the sport.
