We already published the list of best DS games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best DS sports games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the DS definitely has a great library of sports games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the DS and sports games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Tony Hawk’s Motion
- Release Data: Creat Studios/Activision, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
In Tony Hawk’s Motion you are forced to maneuver your skater by twisting and tilting the DS from side to side.
And sometimes you tilt the DS to the point where you can no longer see the screen clearly. And that sucks.
This one is definitely reserved to the ultra hardcore fans only.
#24. PDC World Championship Darts 2009
- Release Data: Rebellion/Oxygen Interactive, 2009
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Other
All in all, the game isn’t going to interest anyone who isn’t already a fan of darts and it’s not a good way to pass the time if you’re playing alone.
If you’re a fan and you’re going to play it with friends, it might be worth the investment.
#23. Rafa Nadal Tennis
- Release Data: Virtual Toys/Codemasters, 2007
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Tennis
Ultimately, when played with the touch screen, Rafa Nadal Tennis is a complete disaster.
However, it’s much less offensive when you play with the D-pad and face buttons.
And it’s even possible to get a few good matches using the quickplay option.
#22. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009
- Release Data: TOSE/THQ, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Wrestling
All in all, Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 is a big, big leap in the right direction, but it still isn’t a game that is recommended for you to get it unless you simply must have a WWE game on the go.
#21. SBK: Snowboard Kids
- Release Data: Racjin/Rising Star Games, 2005
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Ski / Snowboard
All told, SBK: Snowboard Kids should provide a fair amount of enjoyment to those who warm up to its unique design.
This blending of snowboarding and Mario Kart-style racing isn’t for everyone, and some aspects certainly could have been implemented better; but on the whole, the game is fun and interesting.
#20. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008
- Release Data: Amaze Entertainment/THQ, 2007
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Wrestling
One of the most pleasant surprises you’ll find on the DS, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is a fun and interesting wrestling game if you give the intriguing controls a chance.
Overall, it’s still a game well worth playing if you own a DS or love WWE wrestling.
#19. Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007
- Release Data: KCET/Konami, 2007
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
Overall, the Nintendo DS version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 isn’t likely to be the kind of game that will appeal to dedicated soccer gamers, but newcomers shouldn’t have too much trouble enjoying it.
It won’t hook you for a long time, but it does offer a portable, entertaining soccer game.
#18. Football Director DS
- Release Data: Sports Director Limited/Pinnacle, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Management
Football Director DS can be a very addicting experience, and with matches played out at a cracking pace you can spend a whole evening gunning for a European Cup place or simply waiting for a star striker to make your squad the most devastating in the country.
#17. Top Spin 3
- Release Data: 2K Sports, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Tennis
Despite the drawbacks in terms of presentation, speed and AI, not to mention the glaring multiplayer omissions, Top Spin 3 plays as one of the best games of no-nonsense tennis on the platform.
All in all, it’s a tiny Top Spin experience, but it has the rhythm, tight control, and addictive nature of its console counterparts.
#16. Tiger Woods PGA Tour
- Release Data: Sensory Sweep/EA Sports, 2004
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Sim
Tiger Woods PGA Tour isn’t going to convert anyone who isn’t interested in golf games up till now, but the game does take good advantage of the capabilities of the DS.
It has its rough edges, but still manages to come out as a pretty solid game of golf.
#15. Sega Superstars Tennis
- Release Data: Sumo Digital/Sega, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Tennis
If you’re in the mood to play traditional tennis, then you’ll want to look elsewhere.
But if you want a lighthearted tennis game, enjoy minigames, and have a special affection for Sega, then you’ll probably find something to like in Sega Superstars Tennis.
#14. Super Dodgeball Brawlers
- Release Data: Million/505 Games, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Team » Other
With one cartridge, up to eight players can take part in the Brawl mode.
It’s a free-for all, and despite the small screen, it’s easy to keep track of your character and what he or she is doing.
In the end, only get this if you are interested in the multiplayer feature.
#13. Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff
- Release Data: Polygon Magic/Tecmo, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Arcade
Giving players the ability to edit every piece of team and player information in the game is a great feature, but in the end it all seems a little too barebones.
If you are a gamer who can appreciate the old-school look, feel, and play in a fresh gaming experience, great!
You’ve got yourself one solid, well-designed retro football experience.
#12. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
- Release Data: Sega Sports R&D/Sega, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Athletics
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games is exactly what you’d expect, its a collection of mini games based on real Olympic events.
And to make things a little more exciting, SEGA have included some unlockable “Dream Events” which take things to the extreme way that only Mario or Sonic could deliver.
#11. Madden NFL 2005
- Release Data: Exient Entertainment/EA Sports, 2004
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
Unfortunately, the DS version of Madden, despite some solid gameplay and innovative features, falls short of the franchise’s high standards.
But even with this in mind, the overall package didn’t turn out badly, and it’s at least a solid playing game of football that offers way more in gameplay than what the Game Boy Advance is capable of pulling off.
#10. Mario Hoops: 3 on 3
- Release Data: Square Enix/Nintendo, 2006
- Genre: Sports » Team » Basketball » Arcade
It’s short on modes and asks you to replay the same tournaments on multiple difficulty settings, but the core gameplay in Mario Hoops is pretty good.
Overall, if you want a unique basketball experience, or a fun game to pick up and play, definitely check out Mario Hoops: 3 on 3.
#9. Skate It
- Release Data: Exient Entertainment/Electronic Arts, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
With its unique controls, solid multiplayer, and deep skate park customizations, Skate It is a great first entry for the series on portables.
There are a few quirks and unrefined patches that take some getting used to, but in the end, it’s an enjoyable on-the-go skating game that’s worth a look from any skateboard game fan.
#8. True Swing Golf
- Release Data: T&E Soft/Nintendo, 2006
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Sim
The developer has pulled off a really fun and challenging golf game with some great course designs and an intuitive touch screen swing mechanic.
The lack of any sort of license is a bummer, but the game design definitely holds its own without them, and its real edge is that it offers up something unique for golf fans to appreciate.
#7. New International Track & Field
- Release Data: Sumo Digital/Konami, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Athletics
At its core, this is the same basic game from the early ’80s, but the cute visuals and different control options make it feel like it belongs alongside modern games.
If you’re anxious for more track-and-field action and don’t mind putting your DS through some extended wear and tear, New International Track & Field will satiate your need for button-mashing chaos.
#6. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
- Release Data: Sega Sports R&D/Sega, 2009
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Athletics
On the whole, you’re well advised to get Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games if you’re after a fun and accessible single-player adventure.
It may not have the subtle controls of the Wii version, or the same amount of unlockable content, but it’s still an enjoyable pick-up-and-play title that’s well worth a look.
#5. Inazuma Eleven
- Release Data: Level 5, 2011
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Arcade
Regardless of whether or not the real life sports holds any interest to you, rest assured the compelling storyline, overall charm and well-structured fantasy style football system will pull you in, creating an experience that RPG lovers will come to cherish.
#4. Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam
- Release Data: Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2006
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam is an extremely fun Nintendo DS skateboard racing game with all of the familiar Tony Hawk progression and challenge, but presented in a whole new way.
The game is fast, furious, and fun as hell, even if the racing focus limits the world exploration.
#3. Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground
- Release Data: Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2007
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
Overall, Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground is a great game.
It will appeal to both the old-school THPS fans and the newer crowd who are more familiar with the post-THPS3 games.
For skating fans who like gaming on the go, Proving Ground is a worthy choice.
#2. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08
- Release Data: Exient Entertainment/EA Sports, 2007
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Sim
With this game, you only need only a single cartridge to get a local multiplayer game going, which is nice because you don’t have to get your friends the same game just to get them to play.
Any DS owner with even a passing interest in golf owes it to themselves to check out Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08.
#1. Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land
- Release Data: Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2005
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
While the multiplayer isn’t quite as interesting as you might have hoped, you’re still left with an adventure that manages to cram in an awful lot of the Tony Hawk experience.
But even if you’re a longtime fan of the series and you’ve already seen these levels in American Wasteland, this game’s still worth taking a look at.
Browse DS Games By Genre
See also: Best GameCube Games & Best Wii Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which DS sports game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
