30 Overrated Sports Games Everyone Seems To Like

Sports games are known for coming out every year and selling incredibly well, but many are criticized for not changing much over time. Despite continued high sales, some popular titles are seen as overpriced because they rely on the same old gameplay or push players to spend extra money. These games often get a lot of attention and sell well, but they don’t always deliver the improvements players are looking for.

‘Madden NFL 21’ (2020)

The latest installment in the series, created by EA Tiburon and published by Electronic Arts, received criticism for not significantly improving the Franchise Mode. Many players felt the game reused content from older versions and prioritized the more casual “The Yard” mode. Despite these complaints and negative reviews, the game still sold very well when it was released. Technical problems caused by the Frostbite engine also hurt the overall gameplay experience.

‘FIFA 21’ (2020)

EA Canada’s ‘FIFA 21’ heavily promoted its new ‘Volta’ street football mode and made updates to the popular Ultimate Team. However, many reviewers pointed out that the basic gameplay wasn’t much different from the previous game, leading some to call it simply an updated list of players. The game also faced criticism for its use of microtransactions in Ultimate Team, with players debating whether it was fair and sustainable. Despite these concerns, ‘FIFA 21’ was a major sales success worldwide for several months.

‘NBA 2K21’ (2020)

The latest basketball game from Visual Concepts and 2K Games featured a new aiming system that split opinions among players of all skill levels. It was also the first game in the series released on new-generation consoles, and it came with a higher price tag, leading some to question whether it was worth the cost. The game’s “MyCareer” mode continued to encourage players to buy Virtual Currency to stay competitive online. While the game looked great, many felt it didn’t offer enough new features in its main game modes and criticized it for that.

‘Wii Sports Resort’ (2009)

‘Wii Sports Resort,’ created by Nintendo EAD, built on the success of the original ‘Wii Sports’ and used the Wii MotionPlus accessory for more accurate movements. It included new activities like sword fighting and archery, but some players thought these were more complicated than the easy-to-learn gameplay of the first game. The need for the additional Wii MotionPlus accessory also kept some families from playing. While the game sold very well, many felt the mini-games weren’t as engaging or replayable as those in the original ‘Wii Sports’.

‘Mario Tennis Aces’ (2018)

Okay, so this game, made by Camelot and Nintendo, looked amazing when it first came out, and I was super hyped they brought back a real story mode. But honestly, when it launched, it felt a little empty – not a ton to do, and finding people to play online was a pain. The biggest issue though? These ‘Zone Shot’ and ‘Zone Speed’ things. They were so powerful, they kind of ruined the normal tennis gameplay. It felt like you had to use them to win. They did add more stuff with updates, but that initial feeling of imbalance definitely dampened things.

‘WWE 2K22’ (2022)

Following a year off, Visual Concepts and 2K Games released this game as a complete overhaul of their wrestling series. Though a clear step up from the poorly received ‘WWE 2K20’, reviewers noted it still had some old problems and a somewhat limited “MyGM” mode. The gameplay shifted to focus more on combos, which some veteran players felt didn’t quite capture the feel of real wrestling. While praised as a return to quality, the game leaned heavily on familiar elements and didn’t offer many truly new innovations.

‘MLB The Show 23’ (2023)

The latest baseball game from San Diego Studio and Sony Interactive Entertainment introduces ‘Storylines,’ a new mode dedicated to the history of the Negro Leagues, which has been widely celebrated. However, the main gameplay and ‘Road to the Show’ mode haven’t changed much from previous versions. Players have also pointed out that the game’s graphics are starting to look dated compared to other sports titles, and releasing the game on multiple platforms seems to have hindered improvements to the game’s technology.

‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4’ (2002)

With the fourth game, Neversoft and Activision moved away from the series’ traditional format to a more open-ended style. This allowed players to explore levels more freely, but some felt it lost the exciting pressure and difficulty of earlier games because of the removal of the famous two-minute time limit. The levels became bigger, but occasionally felt less full and detailed compared to the tightly designed areas in ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3.’ Despite generally positive reviews, some long-time fans think this game was the start of the series losing its core identity.

‘FIFA 19’ (2018)

EA Canada’s version of the game was significant because it finally included the official UEFA Champions League license, which was a big achievement for Electronic Arts. However, the new “Timed Finishing” feature received a lot of criticism, with many players finding it awkward and adding unnecessary complexity to shooting. The game’s defensive AI was also seen as too automated, which frustrated more skilled players. Some felt the Champions League license was used to overshadow the fact that the gameplay hadn’t improved much.

‘NBA 2K18’ (2017)

With this installment, Visual Concepts and 2K Games introduced the “Neighborhood,” a central online area that brought together different game modes. However, this feature received criticism for feeling like a time-consuming task – players felt they had to spend too much time virtually walking around just to reach menus and improve their players. The game also featured a lot more microtransactions, even for small things like changing a player’s hairstyle. While the game sold well, many fans consider this to be the moment the series’ focus on earning money began to negatively impact the experience.

‘Madden NFL 19’ (2018)

This game, created by EA Tiburon and published by Electronic Arts, featured new animation technology called “Real Player Motion.” However, the launch was rough, as this system caused glitches that made player movements look awkward and erratic. The story mode, “Longshot: Homecoming,” also received criticism for not giving players as much control as the previous game. Overall, many fans felt this installment was less refined and stable than earlier versions.

‘Skate 3’ (2010)

The skateboarding game, originally released by EA Black Box and Electronic Arts, gained a dedicated following, surprisingly boosted by its many physics-based errors and unexpected glitches. While players loved the ‘Hall of Meat’ mode, reviewers felt the game’s city, Port Carverton, wasn’t as well-designed as in earlier titles. Some also thought the game’s emphasis on online features and team-based play took away from the core skateboarding experience. Today, the game is mostly remembered for its humorous moments shared online, rather than for its realistic gameplay.

‘Gran Turismo 7’ (2022)

This game was created by Polyphony Digital and Sony Interactive Entertainment as a tribute to cars and their history. However, it quickly faced criticism after release due to its pushy in-game purchases and an update that lowered the amount of rewards players earned. Many players were also annoyed that the game required a constant internet connection, even though it was mostly played solo. While the driving felt incredibly realistic, the way the game handled in-game money and progress made many fans feel taken advantage of.

‘Mario Strikers: Battle League’ (2022)

Next Level Games and Nintendo revived the fast-paced soccer series after a long hiatus. While the game boasts smooth animations and responsive controls, it initially launched with a limited number of players and stadiums. Many players felt shortchanged, believing that content was deliberately saved for later free updates. The online-centered ‘Strikers Club’ mode also didn’t offer enough depth for players who prefer a strong single-player experience.

‘F1 22’ (2022)

The latest F1 game from Codemasters and EA Sports included a feature called “F1 Life” where players could decorate a lavish personal space with expensive cars and furniture. However, this addition received a lot of criticism, with many fans feeling it didn’t add anything meaningful to the actual racing. The game’s handling, designed to reflect new car regulations, was also seen as too challenging and causing cars to spin out easily. Despite remaining the leading Formula 1 racing game, many felt the developers spent time on lifestyle features when players wanted improvements to the core racing experience.

‘UFC 4’ (2020)

So, EA dropped their latest MMA game, and honestly, it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. They really changed up the clinch and grappling – made it way easier to pick up, which is cool, but as a long-time fan, it felt like it lost some of the strategy that I loved in the older games. They also added a bunch of goofy stuff like animal masks and emotes, which just didn’t really fit the realistic vibe. It sold pretty well, but everyone was still complaining about the AI being… well, still kinda dumb. They didn’t seem to fix the same old problems, and that was a bummer.

‘Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14’ (2013)

This version of the game, created by EA Tiburon, included a “Legends of the Majors” mode where players could experience classic seasons. Although the historical details were well-done, the gameplay was starting to feel repetitive after many yearly releases. Many players were also unhappy with the large amount of extra content available for purchase on the game’s release day, feeling like the full game wasn’t included initially. Reviewers pointed out that the game’s increased realism made it harder for new or casual players to pick up and enjoy.

‘WWE 2K15’ (2014)

This wrestling game was the first in the series made for newer consoles. While it looked much improved, it cut back on a lot of features, like different match types and customization options. The gameplay was also slowed down to feel more like watching a wrestling broadcast, which many players found less exciting than previous games. It’s often seen as a visually impressive game that lacked depth.

‘Madden NFL 24’ (2023)

Electronic Arts promoted “Sapien Technology” as a way to make player movements and bodies look more realistic in their football game. Unfortunately, the game still suffered from old programming problems and awkward animations that have been issues for years. Competitive players were also frustrated with the artificial intelligence’s choices late in games. While many people played the game, the lack of significant improvements to the Franchise mode remained a major complaint.

‘FIFA 23’ (2022)

With this being the last FIFA game made in collaboration with EA, fans had high hopes for EA Canada’s new version. While the new “Hypermotion 2” technology made player movements look smoother, many players felt it didn’t significantly change the gameplay experience. A new feature, Power Shots, received criticism for being overly strong and not feeling realistic. Overall, the game felt like a cautious update meant to keep things going until the series was rebranded.

‘NBA 2K24’ (2023)

NBA 2K16 honored Kobe Bryant with the cover and added the ‘Mamba Moments’ mode, letting players relive his iconic career. The game’s realistic player movements were a highlight thanks to ‘ProPLAY’ technology. However, the way the game encouraged players to buy upgrades with a Season Pass received a lot of criticism. Many felt the game pushed players to spend extra money, making it feel more like a free-to-play game despite being a full-priced purchase. Despite having solid gameplay, this version of the game received some of the lowest user scores ever for the franchise.

‘Mario Golf: Super Rush’ (2021)

The new ‘Speed Golf’ mode in Camelot and Nintendo’s latest game lets players quickly run to their ball after each hit, which was a fun addition. However, the game simplified the traditional golfing experience, removing some of the strategy found in older ‘Mario Golf’ games. Players also found the single-player ‘Golf Adventure’ mode to be too short, feeling more like a training exercise than a complete story. Many dedicated fans felt the game didn’t offer enough content for its price, a common issue with recent Nintendo sports titles.

‘NHL 24’ (2023)

EA Vancouver and EA Sports introduced a new feature called the “Exhaust Engine” that was designed to encourage constant attacking. However, this caused problems with gameplay balance, as defenders often ran out of energy too quickly. The game also moved to a “Battle Pass” system for its online mode, which many players didn’t like. Ultimately, despite these new additions, reviewers felt the game needed a complete overhaul of its fundamental mechanics.

‘NHL 15’ (2014)

Okay, so when the hockey series jumped to the PS4 and Xbox One, it was a huge letdown. They cut almost half the stuff we were used to! Things like EASHL and a real season mode were just… gone at launch. They tried to make up for it with better graphics and physics, but honestly, it wasn’t enough. There just wasn’t enough to do. A lot of fans, myself included, still talk about it as one of the worst next-gen transitions in sports gaming. It really felt unfinished.

‘NBA Jam: On Fire Edition’ (2011)

As a big fan of the classic arcade basketball games, I was excited when EA Canada released this updated version. They tried to improve things with smarter AI and a new way to progress, and it definitely felt like the original game I loved. But honestly, the ‘Real AI’ could be super frustrating! It wasn’t as much fun as the earlier games, which were more about just picking up and playing. If you already had the 2010 version, this didn’t really add much new. It’s still a popular game, but a lot of people think it should have just been an update, not a whole new release on its own.

‘Madden NFL 17’ (2016)

Madden NFL 17, created by EA Tiburon, significantly improved running and special teams gameplay. While new moves for players with the ball were welcome, critics pointed out that the computer-controlled defense was too easy to beat with predictable plays. The popular “Draft Champions” mode was also seen by some as a promotion for the more lucrative “Ultimate Team” mode. Although the game received generally positive reviews, many fans felt it didn’t fix the fundamental problems with the game’s core mechanics, offering only incremental improvements.

‘FIFA 17’ (2016)

This year marked a big change for the game, as EA Canada switched to the Frostbite engine and added a story mode called “The Journey,” which followed the character Alex Hunter. While the story was new and interesting, the engine change caused a lot of problems with how things collided in the game and with the overall physics. Many players thought the gameplay felt slower and less responsive than it had with the previous Ignite engine. The game was heavily advertised based on the new engine, but opinions on how it actually affected the game were divided.

‘NBA 2K14’ (2013)

The latest version of this basketball game was celebrated for its amazing graphics and the new ‘Eco-Motion’ engine. However, it removed some features from older versions, like classic teams and options for customizing the game. Fans also criticized the ‘MyGM’ mode because conversations felt forced and you had to use in-game currency for simple tasks. Despite looking great, many felt it didn’t offer the same level of detail and options that fans had come to expect from the series.

‘NHL 23’ (2022)

EA Vancouver and EA Sports tried to connect players across different platforms and added female players to the popular Ultimate Team mode – both were good steps towards making the game more inclusive and connected. However, the gameplay itself felt almost identical to ‘NHL 22’. Players noticed that the same animations and glitches had been present for years without being fixed. Because there wasn’t a brand new game mode or any big changes to how the game played, many long-time fans felt like the game was getting stale.

‘TopSpin 2K25’ (2024)

After a thirteen-year hiatus, Hangar 13 and 2K Games brought back the popular tennis series. Players enjoyed how realistic and smooth the tennis action felt, but many were disappointed by the limited number of playable athletes. A controversial decision to require an internet connection even for the single-player career mode frustrated fans. Although the return of the franchise was initially exciting, the game’s focus on regularly added content and in-game purchases ultimately detracted from the experience for a lot of players.

Tell me which sports titles you believe are the most overrated in the comments.

2026-01-09 05:48