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The Top 15 Sports Games of 2009

• By Scott Pytlik , GamePro Sports
• June 30, 2009 11:04 AM PST
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#5: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10

Tiger Woods' PGA Tour is by far the best video game golf franchise on the market and this year's version seems poised to continue that trend. But is it "more of the same" from EA Sports? 2009 may be the year of change in America, but the gameplay in Tiger Woods 10 feels identical to the previous title.

Considering how good 2009's gameplay was, that's not necessarily a bad thing. The developers instead chose to focus their attention updating other features by adding new modes, new golfers and new courses. By now, thousands of players have taken to the virtual links in an attempt to sit atop the new "Money List."

The all new Live Tournament sounds intriguing, with daily and weekly tournaments available; also worth noting is the Play the Pros mode, an online mode that could potentially prove as addicting as World of Warcraft. Wii owners will also get the new Wii Motion Plus accessory bundled with the game, ensuring that their virtual putts go exactly where they want them to.

#4: Fight Night Round 4

EA Sports' fourth installment in its infamous boxing franchise sets the bar higher than ever. Fight Night Round 4 takes everything that was great from Fight Night Round 3 and improves upon it in what is shaping up to be the greatest boxing simulation in history. With an all-new physics engine driving the gameplay, FNR4 looks to provide the smoothest, most realistic fighting in any boxing game. Punches that land square on your opponent's face will cause his ugly mug to ripple while sending blood and sweat flying in the air and across the mat. Likewise, blows now glance off the arms, head and chest realistically and can even get tangled in your opponent's arms as he tries to counter punch you.

Speaking of counter punching, the more of it you can do the better off you'll be in the ring. Sure you can stand toe-to-toe and throw haymakers, but dodging a left hook and than delivering one of your own is sure to provide better results. All of this is part of EA's attempt to recreate the sport as accurately as possible. If it lives up to its potential, Fight Night Round 4 will demolish the competition like Mike Tyson in his prime.

#3: MLB 09: The Show

The most realistic baseball simulation ever: Need I say more? MLB 09: The Show was awarded our Editor's Choice award and for good reason-it is, without a doubt, the best baseball video game ever created. That's not just hyperbole: that's fact.

Its realistic gameplay isn't fueled by incredibly involved control schemes like other baseball titles (I'm looking at you MLB2K9); instead The Show keeps it simple which allows casual fans to pick up a controller and really enjoy themselves. One button batting and a three click pitching process brings the controls back to the basics which keeps the focus on the on-field action.

The Road to the Show mode is also arguably one of the best modes in any sports game. Sure it's been done before by EA Sports in Madden NFL 08, but it's reached near perfection in The Show. Creating a player and experiencing his career from the minors all the way to the majors (with eventual enshrinement in Cooperstown if you're lucky) is a sports fan's dream come true.

And like everything else in this game, it's realistic right down to your yearly stats. Since it's exclusive to the PS3, Xbox 360 owners are left out in the cold. But if you're serious about baseball and gaming, we suggest you find a way to experience the Babe Ruthian majesty that is MLB 09: The Show.

#2: Madden NFL 10

It's nigh impossible to talk about sports video games without mention the 800-lb gorilla, Madden. Unfortunately, Madden's success was a major contributor to the annual release cycle that dominates the sports genre. And while the diehard fans are more than willing to dish out $60 for a glorified ros-ter update, the average gamer is not (though, judging by the sales numbers, maybe they are; we bet they complain a lot more about it at least).

But Madden NFL 10 just might convince every single sports gamer to pre-order because it brings with it a suite of improvements that looks to break the mold. EA Sports' flagship title will ship on all three major consoles and each version boasts some drastic improvements over last year's product. For the PS3 and 360 the new Procedural Tackling, or PRO-TAK system, takes center stage.

Authentic gang tackling is now possible thanks to an all new animation engine that is driven by realistic physics. It alters stock mo-cap animations using a player's height, weight, speed and strength then produces a tackle (or broken tackle depending on how things play out) that stays true to life. Quarterbacks will now have a realistic pocket form around them after the snap because the PRO-TAK system also controls blocking

EA's mantra this year is "fight for every yard," and that has never been truer in a Madden game. Wii owners get a radically different game this year as well. EA's art team has been hard at work creating an entirely fresh looking game that features more over-the-top animated players than past titles. Each player position gets a different looking character model that visually distinguishes them from the others on the field.

The game's visuals aren't the only thing that has changed: the controls are now more intuitive and less complicated, giving Madden 10 for the Wii a whole new feel closer in spirit to a party game. it. Any way you slice it, it's looking like another year of dominance for the Madden franchise. But rather than rely on its exclusivity contract with the NFL and name recognition, EA's looking to dominate by improving its product. Let's hope everything goes according to plan.

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