We already published the list of best PS2 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS2 sports games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the PS2 definitely has a great library of sports games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the PS2 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. World Soccer Winning Eleven 9
- Release Data: Konami, 2006
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
It’s amazing that the developer is able to continually refine and tweak the title to improve the virtual soccer experience.
Still, there is plenty of room for improvement in terms of visuals, audio and presentation.
The graphic and sound quality is virtually the same as the previous season, and presentation continues to improve slightly with more user-friendly menus and team licenses.
#24. NHL 2002
- Release Data: EA Sports/Electronic Arts, 2001
- Genre: Sports » Team » Ice Hockey » Sim
NHL 2002 is one of the deepest, most realistic 3D NHL games on the market.
Its graphics are impressive, its depth of gameplay modes is staggering, and the gameplay is predominantly tight.
If you’re a PS2-owning hockey fan, NHL 2002 is a must-buy. Fans of sports video games in general would also do well to give it a look.
#23. NBA 2K2
- Release Data: Visual Concepts/Sega, 2002
- Genre: Sports » Team » Basketball » Sim
Virtually every aspect of the real NBA game is accurately represented and well implemented to provide a roundball experience that is second to none.
If you have a PS2 and are looking for a simulation-style basketball game, NBA 2K2 is a great option.
#22. MVP Baseball 2004
- Release Data: EA Sports, 2004
- Genre: Sports » Team » Baseball » Sim
All in all, the core fundamentals are spot-on, the variety of options and control choices is spectacular, and the presentation totally draws you into the experience of being front and center at an actual ballpark that’s filled with screaming fans.
#21. NCAA Football 2005
- Release Data: EA Tiburon/EA Sports, 2004
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
Overall, NCAA Football 2005 offers a fine overall package and should appeal to just about any hardcore college football fan.
The home-field advantage and composure ratings do a lot to give the game a true college sports feel, and the core gameplay has evolved to a satisfactory degree as well.
#20. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004
- Release Data: EA Sports/Electronic Arts, 2003
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Sim
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 offers such a complete package, it almost seems like EA is painting itself into a corner.
With the sheer number of courses available, the variety of gameplay modes offered, and the overall polish of the presentation, there just doesn’t seem like a lot of room for improvement for the next game.
#19. NBA Street Vol. 2
- Release Data: Electronic Arts/EA Sports Big, 2003
- Genre: Sports » Team » Basketball » Arcade
While it may have a little too much in common with the previous game in the series for some of the more-casual NBA Street fans to swallow, NBA Street Vol. 2 is a great game.
It has a nice variety of options, plays very well, and presents itself in a pretty decent manner.
#18. NCAA Football 2002
- Release Data: EA Sports, 2001
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
A lot of care has been imparted in the development of the game, and it clearly shows.
NCAA Football 2002 takes another step in creating its own identity, separate from the Madden series, and is able to stand on its own merits.
#17. Madden NFL 2005
- Release Data: EA Tiburon/EA Sports, 2004
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
When all is said and done, Madden NFL 2005 is still Madden.
That is to say, it’s another superb game of football that continues Madden’s long legacy as one of the best in the business.
Also, the additions to the franchise mode easily make the mode the best of its kind.
#16. World Soccer Winning Eleven 6 International
- Release Data: KCET/Konami, 2003
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
If you’re a fan of the sport, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t take a look at Winning Eleven 6 International—friends who see you playing it might not be impressed by the presentation or the commentary, but if you can persuade them to play a few matches, you’ll be guaranteed a playing partner for life.
#15. Tony Hawk’s Underground
- Release Data: Neversoft Entertainment/Activision, 2003
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
The core gameplay is still extremely entertaining, and some of the new additions, like being able to get off your board and execute wall plants, do make for some interesting, new possibilities.
All things considered, Tony Hawk’s Underground is another great installment in the franchise.
#14. Madden NFL 2001
- Release Data: EA Sports/Electronic Arts Victor, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
The level of detail in the game’s presentation and feel is so dramatically superior to previous football games, it’s unbelievable.
If you enjoy football in the least, the game is a must-have PlayStation 2 game, and even if you don’t like football, you may want to pick the game up just to see how amazing it looks.
#13. World Soccer Winning Eleven 8 International
- Release Data: KCET/Konami, 2005
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
While the core has improved and changed, the surface has too.
The game’s graphics on both the Xbox and PS2, are excellent, and great attention to detail was paid in motion capture, animation, character models, and textural work, especially on player faces.
If you want to get in a serious grudge match with a friend, you have to play this game.
#12. Madden NFL 2003
- Release Data: EA Sports/Electronic Arts, 2002
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
Madden 2003 has a robust franchise mode, and plenty of secondary modes to keep you busy, but the minor issues with the running and passing game really prevent it from being the absolute best representation of football that’s available.
Fans of previous Madden games will definitely enjoy it, and any other football fans should certainly give it a look.
#11. NCAA Football 2003
- Release Data: EA Sports/Electronic Arts, 2002
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
NCAA Football 2003 has plenty to offer to both the casual and hardcore college football fan.
The dynasty mode offers a glimpse of how difficult it can be to run a successful program, while the rivalry option lets you participate in one of the greatest aspects of college football.
#10. Pro Evolution Soccer
- Release Data: KCET/Konami, 2001
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
At the time, PES is still decades ahead of competition. If you can put with the dated, blocky graphics older games, then there’s still room for this one, but in truth, once you’ve witnessed the stunning looks of PES it’s very hard to go back.
If you’re into soccer, this is nothing less than an essential must-have.
#9. Madden NFL 2004
- Release Data: EA Tiburon/EA Sports, 2003
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
In the end, Madden NFL 2004 is simply an excellent all-around football game.
All the new features have been integrated so well into the preexisting framework that it seems like they’ve always been there.
Moreover, the owner mode and this year’s minor gameplay tweaks make Madden NFL 2004 a must-have football game, regardless of which platform you own.
#8. SSX 3
- Release Data: EA Canada/EA Sports Big, 2003
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Ski / Snowboard
SSX 3 delivers a rush like few racing games or action sports games have ever achieved.
The game’s new, open-ended structure, excellent audio, enhanced trick system, and improved graphics combine to make this a superlative sequel.
Regardless of whether you’ve played SSX or care much about snowboarding, you’d be doing yourself a favor by checking this game out.
#7. Madden NFL 2002
- Release Data: EA Sports/Electronic Arts Victor, 2001
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
Once everything is accounted for, Madden 2002 is fundamentally the same game as its predecessor.
There are a handful of compelling new features and graphical upgrades, but when you compare both games, the core technical differences between them are nominal.
Even still, what Madden 2002 has to offer is rock-solid, and will not disappoint fans of the series.
#6. SSX
- Release Data: EA Sports Big/Electronic Arts, 2000
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Ski / Snowboard
In the end, SSX is a terrific snowboarding game that has all the right stuff.
Every element comes together and makes for a game that is extremely fun and rewarding to play.
You’ll want to complete every trick and course with every single character just because the game is so fun to play.
#5. SSX Tricky
- Release Data: EA Canada/EA Sports Big, 2001
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Ski / Snowboard
More than just an upgrade of the original, SSX Tricky is the best snowboarding game ever made.
The trick system has been improved, the graphics have received an upgrade, the story elements have increased, and the sound is solid.
If you have yet to play SSX and are interested in this sort of game, buying SSX Tricky is highly recommended.
#4. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4
- Release Data: Neversoft Entertainment/Activision, 2002
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
The deeper single-player and improved multiplayer modes make Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 a very tightly packed installment in the series, and the slightly refined gameplay is still unmatched in the action sports arena.
In short, anyone with even a remote interest in either the genre or the real-life sport should play this game as soon as possible.
#3. World Soccer Winning Eleven 7 International
- Release Data: KCET/Konami, 2004
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
If you’re a fan of the series, you need to know that Winning Eleven 7 International is a worthwhile game—even if you own the previous title.
And if you’re one of the FIFA exclusive fans, you need to try this one out.
#2. NCAA Football 2004
- Release Data: EA Sports, 2003
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
As with most sports games, the decision to get NCAA Football 2004 comes down to whether or not you think some of the features and upgrades are significant.
If you’re a hardcore fan, then you will certainly enjoy all of the features—whether they’re huge or small—that has been added to make an enjoyable game even better.
#1. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
- Release Data: Neversoft Entertainment/Activision, 2001
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 brings it all together in one package that makes everything before it almost unplayable by comparison.
The game has a lower level of difficulty at the beginning and some basic tutoring to appeal to new players but has enough hidden items and harder goals later on to keep the hardcore fans interested as well.
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See also: Best PS1 Games & Best PSP Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which PS2 sports game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!