We already published the list of best PS3 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS3 sports games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the PS3 definitely has a great library of sports games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the PS3 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. MLB 08: The Show
- Release Data: SCEA San Diego Studios/SCEA, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Team » Baseball » Sim
There’s no shortage of ways to stay busy, whether you want to run a whole team, follow the career of a single player, or manage a game from the dugout.
If you’re looking for a great baseball game that covers all the bases, look no further than MLB 08: The Show.
#24. Skate
- Release Data: EA Black Box/EA Games, 2007
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
While Skate has a handful of issues that hold it back, it has a ton of potential.
With some more refinement and a few more things to do, this could probably be the best skateboarding game around.
It’s definitely worth playing, if only to get your hands on the trick system.
#23. NHL 08
- Release Data: EA Canada/Electronic Arts, 2007
- Genre: Sports » Team » Ice Hockey » Sim
Some issues certainly knock this game back from being a truly superb effort, such as the remaining control irritations.
But by and large, this is a terrific game of hockey that’s both realistic and thrilling to play, a combo that’s often difficult to achieve in sports games.
If you love hockey, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.
#22. UFC Undisputed 3
- Release Data: Yuke’s/THQ, 2012
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Wrestling
Like the best MMA fighting games, UFC Undisputed 3 is well-rounded and impresses in a lot of different areas.
It improves upon its predecessors at practically every opportunity and, for quite some time, is the undisputed champion of MMA video games.
#21. FIFA 14
- Release Data: EA Canada/EA Sports, 2013
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
Despite the lack of a defining new feature to attach itself to, FIFA 14 is far more than the sum of its parts.
It’s a fundamentally different experience to the previous year’s game, and an entertaining one at that, moving the series ever closer to the realism it so proudly strives for.
#20. Madden NFL 09
- Release Data: EA Tiburon/Electronic Arts, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
The Madden series has been so good for so long that the bar for each yearly release is extremely high.
Newcomers will still face a steep learning curve, but if you’re a football fan or series veteran, you can’t go wrong with Madden 09.
#19. MLB 12: The Show
- Release Data: SCEA San Diego Studios/SCEA, 2012
- Genre: Sports » Team » Baseball » Sim
The changes and additions made to MLB 12: The Show are welcome ones.
For example, a new and effective pitching system makes MLB 12: The Show a solid baseball experience.
Fans of the series should be able to instantly make use of them and become a dominating force.
#18. FIFA Soccer 13
- Release Data: Electronic Arts/EA Sports, 2012
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
If it’s more of the same you want, with a few extras, some more polish and updated player rosters, have no fear – FIFA 13 scores effortlessly on that front.
There aren’t a whole lot of huge changes during this run out, but the substitutions across each mode ensure that it stays on top of the table.
#17. NHL 12
- Release Data: Electronic Arts, 2011
- Genre: Sports » Team » Ice Hockey » Sim
NHL 12 doesn’t push the envelope, but there are few gripes with what EA Sports has put on the ice.
This is a safe sequel that doesn’t advance the franchise in any significant ways, but the tweaks and new features buff up a game that was already shining like a freshly flooded sheet of ice.
#16. FIFA Soccer 09
- Release Data: EA Canada/EA Sports, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
With FIFA 09, EA Sports has created one of the deepest, most realistic and feature-packed football games.
The gameplay hasn’t changed a lot since UEFA Euro 2008, but the tweaks and refinements have produced an incredibly rewarding game.
If you’re a football fan looking for something, you can’t go wrong with FIFA 09.
#15. UFC Undisputed 2010
- Release Data: Yuke’s/THQ, 2010
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Wrestling
Clearly, UFC Undisputed 2010 is a game with its fair share of problems.
You shouldn’t let that put you off, though, because this is also a game that brilliantly re-creates the mixed martial arts combat that has made the UFC so popular and that boasts a roster of more than 100 great-looking contemporary fighters.
#14. MLB 13: The Show
- Release Data: SCEA San Diego Studios/SCEA, 2013
- Genre: Sports » Team » Baseball » Sim
It isn’t a huge leap over the previous year’s game, but the alterations to the hitting and pitching models make for a much more satisfying game that opens The Show up to a much wider audience.
While the game remains challenging, the frustration factor of hitting has been dialed way back, which will draw in new players.
#13. FIFA Soccer 11
- Release Data: EA Sports/Electronic Arts, 2010
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
Thanks to key improvements to the core gameplay, FIFA 11 was the best and most addictive version of the game when it was released.
The improved player characteristics and animations result in a deep and rewarding experience that feels as exciting and unpredictable as the real thing.
#12. NHL 09
- Release Data: EA Canada/Electronic Arts, 2008
- Genre: Sports » Team » Ice Hockey » Sim
If you even have a passing interest in hockey, you owe it to yourself to play NHL 09.
EA has raised the bar yet again for its hockey franchise with engaging gameplay, excellent presentation, and enough game modes to tide you over until Christmas.
#11. NHL 10
- Release Data: EA Canada/EA Sports, 2009
- Genre: Sports » Team » Ice Hockey » Sim
The bottom line with NHL 10 is that if you have NHL 09, you don’t absolutely, positively need it.
But there are enough new features and little adjustments and fixes that any self-respecting hockey fan should probably still go for it.
#10. Fight Night Round 4
- Release Data: EA Canada/EA Sports, 2009
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Combat » Boxing / Martial Arts
Fight Night Round 4‘s greatest strength is that while it’s accessible and relatively easy for newcomers, it can also be challenging and rewarding for perfectionists.
Stepping into Fight Night Round 4‘s ring is definitely recommended if you have any interest in the sport.
#9. NBA 2K11
- Release Data: Visual Concepts/2K Sports, 2010
- Genre: Sports » Team » Basketball » Sim
NBA 2K11 is a huge improvement over the previous game.
Just about every facet has been improved or overhauled, which makes this a richly rewarding experience with enough depth to make even diehard NBA fans feel like rookies.
Overall, it is a great realization of the sport that makes the hard work it takes to succeed well worth the commitment.
#8. NHL 11
- Release Data: Electronic Arts, 2010
- Genre: Sports » Team » Ice Hockey » Sim
One of the best things about NHL 11 is how the realism constantly takes you by surprise no matter how long you play.
Many arcade sports games reveal more flaws with every hour that you play. Here, the good stuff just keeps coming.
#7. MLB 09: The Show
- Release Data: SCEA San Diego Studios/SCEA, 2009
- Genre: Sports » Team » Baseball » Sim
MLB 09: The Show is more of a love letter to baseball than it is just another game.
Of course, nothing will ever take the place of the real thing, but anyone with a serious fondness for the national pastime will find this an enthralling substitute.
#6. NBA 2K13
- Release Data: Visual Concepts/2K Sports, 2012
- Genre: Sports » Team » Basketball » Sim
Even if you might not be a big basketball fan, you need to check this one out.
For starters, you need to see what you’re missing.
And second, you need to see just how much other sports games are lagging behind this absolutely brilliant piece of work, that absolutely nails the pace and feel of basketball.
#5. NBA 2K12
- Release Data: Visual Concepts/2K Sports, 2011
- Genre: Sports » Team » Basketball » Sim
Like the previous title, NBA 2K12 is best enjoyed with DualShock 3 in hand, where it once again proves itself to be a phenomenal sporting game.
It’s beautiful, with stunning presentation and even more stunning commentary, and its breadth of game modes and depth of control take another step up over the previous game.
#4. MLB 11: The Show
- Release Data: SCEA San Diego Studios/SCEA, 2011
- Genre: Sports » Team » Baseball » Sim
The one quality addition is the new analog pitching interface, which is so stellar that it is hard to go back to the old pitching controls.
And although this one doesn’t improve upon the previous one as dramatically as it might have, The Show is still the king of baseball gaming.
#3. FIFA Soccer 10
- Release Data: EA Sports/Electronic Arts, 2009
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
FIFA 10 is a high-caliber football game—it plays a fantastic game, offers a wealth of modes, and addresses every major fault from FIFA 09.
The new 360-degree control in particular is a revelation, and while the problems impacting the creation of Virtual Pro players are unfortunate, there’s still a lot of fun to be had playing with them.
#2. MLB 10: The Show
- Release Data: SCEA, 2010
- Genre: Sports » Team » Baseball » Sim
It’s not hard to level complaints at MLB 10: The Show, but that’s because the fundamentals of the game are so good that the bad points really stand out.
Nevertheless, this is still a great game that gets both the big and small pictures largely right, as well as presents a portrait of baseball that is uncannily realistic.
#1. FIFA Soccer 12
- Release Data: Electronic Arts, 2011
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
Whichever mode you play in, you’re treated to the slick presentation that the series is famed for.
Furthermore, the improved player handling further cement FIFA 12 as football at its best—gloriously deep, rewarding, addictive, and as close as you can get to the real thing without donning a pair of boots.
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Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which PS3 sports game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!