Though a far cry from modern games like Madden and MLB: The Show, the sports games on the Nintendo Entertainment System were revolutionary for their time. Often featuring exciting arcade style gameplay, the NES' sports catalogue was anything but boring.
From legendary action sports titles such as Punch-Out!!, to beloved classics such as Blades of Steel, nearly every sport was represented with an excellent game on the NES. Given the platform's a wealth of games to choose from, Nintendo fans' ratings on Ranker reveal which 8-bit sports cartridges rule the NES.
Super Spike V'Ball (1990)
Volleyball, much like tennis, is a sport that seems tailor made for classic video game consoles. Super Spike V'Ball was a port of the arcade game of the same name, and put the user in control of a team of beach volleyball players who enter a national tournament.
The user is given the option of single, dual, and even four-player mode in which they can play a CPU team or against other players. This wealth of options gave the game infinite replay value, and the challenging tournament modes kept fans coming back for more. Interestingly, the NES version of the game allowed the player to take control of Billy and Jimmy, the heroes from the Double Dragon fighting games.
Double Dribble (1987)
Though it is primitive by today's standards, Double Dribble was the most advanced basketball game up to that point. The game presents basketball in as realistic a way as possible, while also giving the user more control of the players on the court, and the types of shots they take.
Considered one of the best basketball games outside of the 2K series, Double Dribble paved the way for future games such as NBA Jam. Without any official NBA licensing, the game had to rely on the NES' bright color pallet, and the designers created several eye-catching dunk animations. Though it is severely limited compared to modern sports games, Double Dribble nevertheless perfectly captured the essence of the sport.
Excitebike (1985)
Because of the systems limitations, many games designed for the NES required a fair amount of creativity and imagination to bring realistic events to life. Excitebike hoped to capture the thrill of motocross racing on the 8-bit Nintendo system.
Given two options, solo run and CPU race, the user drives their motorbike through a side-scrolling track complete with jumps. Finesse is key, and the way that the user controls their bike largely effects how they do in the race. Though there wasn't much to the gameplay itself, the challenge was addicting enough to keep players coming back for more. Though some believe that the original NES game has aged poorly, it did launch a franchise of its own that has seen games on several Nintendo consoles.
Blades Of Steel (1988)
While it may have had hockey purists cringing, Blades of Steel nevertheless attempted to deliver a more realistic take on the game. Bringing the fast-paced and hard-hitting action of hockey to the NES, Blades of Steel further incorporated aspects of the sport that had been neglected in previous attempts.
Produced by Konami, Blades of Steel eschewed the cartoonish style of hockey games that had come before, actually allowing users to initiate brawls with other players. On top of that, the game instituted a penalty system which allowed for power plays, and a shootout mode to end games that are tied. The game can also be praised because it featured small vocal samples that mimicked the play-by-play commentary of real hockey broadcasts.
Ice Hockey (1988)
Cartoonish in nature, but endlessly fun to play, the game simply known as Ice Hockey set the standard for arcade style fun. Competing against the CPU or against another player, the user beats and bangs their way to victory in a rough approximation of the sport of hockey.
Free of any of the sport's accoutrements, Ice Hockey is the definition of arcade style sports gameplay. The user is able to assemble their team from three distinct player archetypes, and each archetype has pros and cons that affect the game. Intuitive by nature, the game can be picked up and played by anyone, and doesn't require a steep learning curve like most modern sports games.
R.B.I. Baseball (1988)
Though it would take years for the sport to be perfected in video game form, R.B.I. Baseball gave it a noble attempt. Taking control of one of a series of generic baseball teams, the user plays nine innings on both sides of the ball.
R.B.I. was unique mostly because of its licensing. It didn't have the rights to any of the MLB teams, but its affiliation with the MLB Players Association gave them access to some of the game's biggest stars. Some batters and pitchers have unique stats that make them better or worse at certain aspects of the game. Though primitive, R.B.I. Baseball was an early look at where some of the best baseball games would go in the future.
Tecmo Bowl (1989)
Football can be a complicated game, and this made early video game adaptations severely lacking in many departments. However, Tecmo Bowl was one of the first football games that proved the sport was a viable option when it came to the video game market.
By narrowing the scope of the game, Tecmo Bowl created an arcade style gameplay that was intuitive and fun. The user can take control of a series of generic teams that were stocked with rosters full of actual NFL players, and compete against the CPU and other players. Though simple in nature, mastering the game was a challenge, and it kept players wanting to come back for one more drive.
Baseball Stars (1989)
If many of the NES' best sports games put an emphasis on arcade style gameplay, Baseball Stars blazed an entirely different path. Focusing more on the simulation aspect of the sport, users not only play the game on the field, but also make trades and build better teams over a season.
Coming as the first NES sports game with a battery backup, Baseball Stars allowed users to save their progress and therefore create their own leagues to compete in. Way ahead of its time, the features of the game have become the standard for every sports game franchise, and it was the first to show what the future of sports gaming looked like.
Tecmo Super Bowl (1991)
Building off of the success of its predecessor, Tecmo Super Bowl is considered one of the best football games that isn't Madden. The user is once again put in control of a team as they battle for football supremacy against CPUs and other players alike.
Unlike its predecessor, Super Bowl was licensed by the NFL and featured all of the teams and their logos. Further expanding the gameplay, the user is given the option to play entire seasons in hopes of winning the Super Bowl, and they can do it with their favorite NFL stars. Though still an arcade style game, Super Bowl integrated elaborate cut scenes that enhanced the experience for football fans.
Punch-Out!! (1987)
Though it rose beyond the ranks of other NES sports games, Punch-Out!! proved just how popular sports could be on the 8-bit console. The user takes control of an amateur boxer named Little Mac, who must fight his way through the ranks in order to defeat the World's Heavyweight Champion.
Originally title Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, the game lived on even after its title star's license ran out. Each of Mac's challengers presents a different level of difficulty, and the player must learn the enemy's weaknesses in order to beat them. Intuitive in its control style, Punch Out!! hovers between arcade-style sports game and a challenging adventure game complete with unique boss battles. Even decades later, the game is praised for its replay value and intense difficulty.