Five Sports Video Games That Should Be Backwards Compatible

Microsoft has done a good job of making many classic games backwards compatible, with the ability to download them from the Xbox Marketplace. Sony’s PlayStation 4, while the more successful console in terms of sales, unfortunately does not have backwards compatibility, so this focuses on the Xbox One. These five sports games need to be next up as Microsoft makes more old classics available on their console.

 

NFL 2K5

This is probably number one on most people’s lists, so we’ll get right to it. Over a decade later, NFL 2K5 arguably has better gameplay than the most recent Madden game, but unfortunately it cannot be played on the latest consoles. Even with the rosters from 2004, imagining an Xbox One enhanced version of the classic pro football game is enticing. There might be legal issues to get the game backwards compatible, as EA’s exclusive NFL license might apply. But if not, NFL 2K on the Xbox One needs to happen.

 

NBA Street

Released in 2001, NBA Street is the oldest game on the list. Many of you might not be aware, but it was the start of a vintage—if short-lived—video game franchise. NBA Street was the start of the “gamebreaker,” which led to the term “gamebreaker” becoming more popular in real-life sports. The first game led to…

 

NBA Street Vol. 2

While NBA Street was a classic itself, the second game in the series basically defines “classic” when it comes to sports video games. NBA Street Vol. 2 took things to another level, with very deep rosters including NBA legends like different versions of the G.O.A.T., Michael Jordan. NBA Street Vol. 2 would be an addicting game if it ever became backwards compatible. The story mode (“Be A Legend”) allowed you to unlock things as you progressed.

 

NFL Street

After two very successful NBA Street video games, EA BIG came out with an NFL version. The “gamebreakers” that were so popular in the NBA games were arguably even more unstoppable and fun in NFL Street. And the story mode (“NFL Challenge”) allowed you to pickoff players from NFL teams when you beat them before eventually facing an NFL Legends team. If you won NFL Challenge mode, you could do “All NFL Pickup” mode where you can select teams in a normal pickup game from the entire player pool.

 

NCAA Football

Finally, NCAA Football has probably gotten the biggest push for a return—probably because it’s the most recent of the games to go into extinction. The gameplay for the EA college football video game was far superior to the gameplay of their pro game, and the game modes—including Campus Legend/Road to Glory and Dynasty Mode—were arguably the best in any sports video game. Perhaps there is hope with a new college football game that’s set to release in 2020, though it’ll probably take a license to reach its full potential.