We already published the list of best PS1 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS1 individual sports games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the PS1 definitely has a great library of individual sports games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the PS1 and individual 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. Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf
- Release Data: Stormfront Studios/Electronic Arts, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Sim
Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf is not a horrible golf game.
The gameplay, while neither innovative nor incredibly tight, is reputable, and the slightly dated graphics are sufficient for the genre.
It’s a solid golf game that should please the fans of console golf sims, but not those that are into deeper sims on the PC.
#24. Street Sk8er 2
- Release Data: Atelier Double/Electronic Arts, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
Street Sk8er 2 is one of those games that would have been much better received if another, better game didn’t exist.
In this case, that game is Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.
Still, Street Sk8er 2 is a huge improvement over the original, and skaters looking for something light to do would do well to check this out.
#23. Cool Boarders 3
- Release Data: Idol Minds/SCEE, 1998
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Ski / Snowboard
The graphics are Cool Boarders 3‘s shining moment.
The terrain, snow, and trees all look really good. The animation of the different boarders as they elegantly carve down the mountainside, pulling off moves and grabs, is all very fluid.
Even the new interface and art look fairly impressive.
#22. MTV Sports: Snowboarding
- Release Data: Radical Entertainment/THQ, 1999
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Ski / Snowboard
In the end, the free-roaming unrestricted feeling you get when you play MTV Sports: Snowboarding make it so much fun.
If you’re a fan of snowboarding games and love to catch big air and see just how many times you can spin and flip before the ground comes rushing up, this is the game for you.
#21. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2000
- Release Data: EA Redwood Shores/Electronic Arts, 1999
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Sim
Fairly accurate gameplay and an innovative new control scheme save Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2000 from being a complete loss, but it’s hard to play this game for a prolonged time.
Casual fans of the arcade-style golfing game should do well with this one, and those looking for an accurate simulation should not get their expectation high.
#20. International Track & Field 2000
- Release Data: KCET/Konami, 1999
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Athletics
Overall, International Track and Field 2000 is a fun and entertaining game, although its simple gameplay, while addicting at first, has a very short shelf life for a single player.
But if you’re a fan of multiplayer games, this is definitely one to check out.
#19. Tiger Woods 99 PGA Tour Golf
- Release Data: Adrenalin Entertainment/Electronic Arts, 1998
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Sim
Although arriving on the scene later than some other golf games, Tiger Woods 99 is still as good a golf sim as you’re likely to find.
Although a little more arcade-y than some might like, for the majority of gamers out there, this will do just fine.
#18. Thrasher Presents: Skate and Destroy
- Release Data: Z-Axis, Ltd./UEP Systems, 1999
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
Once you’ve taken the time to learn the controls and pick up the game’s subtle timing, you’ll be rewarded with an incredibly fun skateboarding game.
If you’re finished with Tony Hawk, and you’re hungry for another challenge, Thrasher: Skate and Destroy is the game you’re looking for.
#17. WCW Mayhem
- Release Data: Kodiak Interactive/Electronic Arts, 1999
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Wrestling
It’s got everything that you’d expect from a modern wrestling game, but the flawed AI makes single-player too easy, and the multiplayer has its own set of problems that you may or may not be able to look past.
But despite its flaws, WCW Mayhem still manages to be a really fun game, and it is definitely worth picking up.
#16. Ultimate 8 Ball
- Release Data: Mirage Interactive/Gremlin Interactive, 1999
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Billiards
Overall, Ultimate 8 Ball is a nice, solid pool simulation.
It does have a few extras, though it would have been nice to see the hustle mode extended into a full-on plot-driven story like Backstreet Billiards.
And if you’re looking to getting it, Ultimate 8 Ball is definitely in the running with those other pool sims.
#15. MTV Sports: Pure Ride
- Release Data: Radical Entertainment/THQ, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Ski / Snowboard
While not necessarily a leap ahead of the previous title, MTV Sports: Pure Ride is a solid snowboarding game with enough options and tricks to keep you busy for weeks.
The gameplay is fast and intuitive, and while the graphics aren’t eye-popping, the developer has managed to capture what is most important in snowboarding games: the sense of freedom.
#14. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing
- Release Data: Point of View/Midway, 1999
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Boxing / Martial Arts
Ready 2 Rumble Boxing is a good arcade-style boxing game.
Boxing fans will be happy as well, because, although it isn’t very realistic, the ability to throw your own combos surpasses the combo system used in Knockout Kings 2000.
While it’s not as good as the Dreamcast version, Ready 2 Rumble on the PlayStation is still a fun, good-looking game.
#13. Grind Session
- Release Data: Shaba Games/SCEE, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
Just because Grind Session is in many ways a Tony Hawk clone doesn’t make it a bad game.
In fact, it’s easily as good as the original Tony Hawk in most areas and surpasses Hawk in a few areas, such as the number of available tricks and the character-building option.
#12. Knockout Kings 2000
- Release Data: Black Ops Entertainment/Electronic Arts, 1999
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Boxing / Martial Arts
All the new fighters and ring entrances, actual arenas, and improved graphics that make the fighters look more realistic are some of the things that make this game great.
Casual boxing fans and fans of the original title will undoubtedly enjoy playing as the real boxers in the real arenas and will enjoy Knockout Kings 2000.
#11. WWF Attitude
- Release Data: Acclaim Studios Salt Lake City/Acclaim, 1999
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Wrestling
It is an extremely solid wrestling game that captures a lot of the atmosphere of the weekly circus that is the World Wrestling Federation, and Attitude packs a punch in the gameplay department, as well, and as a result, belongs in any wrestling fan’s collection.
#10. Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX
- Release Data: Shaba Games/Activision, 2001
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Biking
Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX manages to be a pretty good-looking PlayStation game.
Even though most riders do similar tricks, some of them do the tricks slightly differently. So every superman in the game doesn’t look identical, which is a nice touch.
These flaws are a little less disheartening when you take into account the large size of most of the levels.
#9. Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX
- Release Data: Z-Axis, Ltd./Acclaim Japan, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Biking
The only major flaw in Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX is that the game is a touch on the easy side.
Once you’ve grasped the game’s control scheme, it’ll be a day or two before you’ve completed all of the game’s challenges.
As such, this is one you’ll likely want to have some light sessions on.
#8. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
- Release Data: Shaba Games/Activision, 2001
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
When it comes down to it, the PlayStation version of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 simply cannot compete with the PS2 version—they’re not even in the same league.
But it’s truly unfair to compare the two versions of the game.
When compared with any other PlayStation skating game out there, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 rates quite favorably.
#7. Knockout Kings 2001
- Release Data: Black Ops Entertainment/EA Sports, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Boxing / Martial Arts
In the end, Knockout Kings 2001 is easily the best iteration of the series thus far, thanks to improved AI, cleaner graphics, and tighter controls.
Fans of the series and the sport of boxing will find that the game is a lot more balanced than the previous title.
#6. Hot Shots Golf
- Release Data: Camelot Software Planning/SCEI, 1998
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Arcade
In the end, what Hot Shots Golf has managed to achieve is a game that looks good, is easy to play, and is difficult to master.
While some hardcore golf fanatics might be turned off by the cartoonish nature of the characters, this in no way detracts from the game, and in some ways enhances it as well.
#5. Hot Shots Golf 2
- Release Data: Clap Hanz/SCEE, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Arcade
Like the previous game, Hot Shots Golf 2 is simple to learn.
You can compete in a full tournament, enjoy some head-to-head action, and even brush up on the basics in training.
The mixture of basic controls and colorful visuals makes it easy to hop in and play, but golfing experts will find plenty of reasons to keep playing.
#4. WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role
- Release Data: Yuke’s/THQ, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Wrestling
This sequel to the original WWF Smackdown! game builds on the foundation of its successor while adding new features.
There are now a great selection of “Create-A” modes.
These let you create your own moveset, wrestler, manager, and more.
This, combined with a great season mode and some awesome athletes makes this game a must-have.
#3. WWF SmackDown!
- Release Data: Yuke’s/THQ, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Wrestling
The game contains a handful of modes, but the biggest focus is the three-part story mode.
Progressing through this mode unlocks new outfits, moves, and generally strengthens your custom fighter.
There are also some fun match types, such as Steel Cage matches, Single Elimination, Tag Team, and more!
#2. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
- Release Data: Neversoft Entertainment/Success, 1999
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
This game is every skateboarder’s dream.
In it, you get to thrash through multiple levels that are based on real locations.
You can shred railings in a school, skate big ramps in downtown cities, and much more.
There are also extra objectives to complete, bonus characters to unlock, and even some super secret levels to find!
#1. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
- Release Data: Neversoft Entertainment/Success, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
In addition to the wild tricks, customizable characters, and awesome courses, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 brings even more to the table.
For the first time, you can build your own skatepark to shred in.
The story mode is also deeper, containing more objectives and courses to enjoy.
There are also multiple modes that make multiplayer sessions even more fun!
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See also: Best Gaming Chairs & Best PS2 Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which PS1 individual sports game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
