“E…A…Sports…It’s in the game!” 5 blasts from EA Sports’ past

“EA Sports…. it’s in the game”! Chances are if sports games are your virtual poison, then you’ve heard those hallowed words hundreds of times. Since its inception in 1991, EA Sports has been throwing exciting sports titles at us left, right and centre. Whether it’s football, American football, basketball, formula 1 or even rugby that floats your boat, you can bet your bottom dollar that EA Sports will have released a game you like at some point over the last 31 years.

So, with a new iteration of the game that started EA’s foray into the sports world, Madden, on the horizon, we take a look back at 5 seminal EA Sports titles from years gone by.

Contents:

1. FIFA: Road to World Cup 98
2. NHL 96
3. SSX Tricky
4. NBA Street
5. Madden NFL 99

1. FIFA: Road to World Cup 98

We kick things off this week (pun very much intended) with what is quite possibly the Cristiano Ronaldo of all FIFA games, FIFA: Road to World Cup 98. Whilst later titles have, understandably, moved the game on in terms of graphics, physics, and gameplay, none of them have represented quite such a leap forward for this franchise.

With 16 stadiums, jaw-dropping (for the time) visuals, improved AI, 172 officially licensed national teams and the brand-new Road to World Cup mode, FIFA 98 was a game that had more strength in depth than Man City upon release. 

As if that’s not enough, it was also the first FIFA game to implement the offside rule, had tonnes of customisation options, such as editable kits, and featured the absolute banger that is Song 2 by Blur on its soundtrack. 

With all of the above in mind, it’s pretty clear why football fans look back on this game with such fondness.

2. NHL 96

Speaking of 90s classics, another title that also had a monumental impact on a core EA Sports franchise with this week’s second game, NHL 96. 

Much like FIFA 98, this game brought a whole host of innovations, such as 3d graphics (which appeared in the DOS version of this game), vastly improved, adjustable opponent AI and most importantly, allowing players to engage in on-pitch brawls for the first time. After all, it’s not hockey if you can’t knock your opponent’s front teeth out, right?

Needless to say, this game was an absolute smash-hit upon release and remains one of the most well-regarded hockey games of all time.

3. SSX Tricky

Bit of a change of topic now as we shift our attention to a title where it was quite tricky to land a trick, to land a trick, that’s really sick…It’s SSX Tricky! Although the basic premise was the same as the first game, i.e., blast down a mountain at full pelt, pulling off tricks and racking up points as you go, the addition of the comically unrealistic, but humorous “uber tricks” took the fun and turn it up way past 11.

It also made things more intense with the rivalry system, which would make opponents more hostile if you knocked them over. 

Of course, it goes without saying that SSX Tricky was also a huge success that has long since been the stuff of gaming legend.

4. NBA Street

However, it wasn’t just snowboarding that EA Sports Big turned their hands to in the early 00s, as they also took basketball to the streets (yep, we went there) in NBA Street. Channelling the arcadey gameplay of the NBA Jam games, NBA Street featured thrilling 3-on-3 clashes in which you were more than encouraged to indulge your showboating skills by pulling off outrageous tricks.

In addition to being devilishly fun, NBA Street also spawned a whole host of other “street sports” games such as FIFA and NFL Street, in addition to a number of sequels.

5. Madden NFL 99

We round things off this week with, you’ve guessed it, a Madden game from the past. Whilst there are quite a few to choose from, we’ve plumped for Madden 99 for two reasons. Firstly, this was the first multi-platform Madden game to be fully 3d across all platforms. 

Secondly, in another absolute game changer of a move, it featured franchise mode for the very first time. Whilst, understandably, it lacked many of the features now associated with this mode, such as the ability to play as an owner, it did allow you to control your chosen team’s destiny for 15 years and gave you the ability to trade, sign/release and draft players to your roster.

You could argue that it’s far from the most polished of Madden games, but mainly for the inclusion of the franchise mode, it did represent a key turning point in the history of this franchise.