10 Best EA Sports Games of All Time, Ranked

There’s no better way to play FIFA than EA Sports FC. But the same dedication to realistic sports simulation translates over to Madden NFL and EA Sports College Football. EA Sports thrives in the sports gaming scene because they hold Premier League licenses and thus are able to give you official teams and players to choose from. But the best EA Sports games of all time also include lesser-known but addictive titles like the snowboarding SSX Tricky and “no-fouls” NBA Jam.

10. SSX Tricky

You probably know FIFA and Madden NFL. But EA Sports also has some other pretty decent hidden gems like SSX Tricky. It’s a snowboarding game where you choose from a roster and compete in races. You can pull off tricks and scoop up exciting rewards. The tricks can get pretty bizarre, but it’s ultimately addictive, especially given the 50+ tricks you can try.

9. NBA Jam

Another of EA Sports’ hacks at not taking themselves too seriously is NBA Jam. Now, this wasn’t much of a successful attempt at reviving Midway’s ridiculous arcade basketball game. Still, I commend the effort to bring back the slam dunks. Breaking the rules is the motto here, confident that no one is going to cry foul.

8. Fight Night

EA Sports may have halted development on Fight Night in favor of EA Sports UFC. It’s been a minute, though, since 2011 when Fight Night Champion came out. And that last entry was the best in the series. Boxing is as much about the drama that happens outside the ring as much as throwing punches. And EA Sports nails the gritty cinematic story mode. A prison record. Corruption behind the scenes. Can you put it all behind you when it comes down to who throws the most precise uppercuts and endures longer?

7. NBA Live

NBA 2K by Visual Concepts and 2K is miles ahead of EA Sports’ NBA Live, so much so that the last NBA Live launched in 2018. Since then, EA Sports canceled NBA Live 20 and NBA Live 21 and has yet to announce a path forward for the series. Still, the series did have a few things going for it. You enjoyed detailed graphics and sound, plus fun story, career, and ultimate team modes. It’s also a time when the microtransactions weren’t as annoying as today. However, the technical side was a let-down, feeling sluggish and lacking online play.

6. PGA Tour

PGA Tour is another series that ranks highly among the best EA Sports games of all time. It’s one of the franchises that showcases EA Sports’ attention to simulation and realism. And not just in the courses looking like their real-life counterparts, but the actual gameplay. This isn’t a game you can just hop into, swing, and shoot. Aspects like your swing speed and direction matter, as does your form. You even have considerations like the weather and terrain.

5. EA Sports UFC

After THQ filed for bankruptcy in 2012, the license for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) games changed hands to EA Sports. And since then, we’ve gotten six EA Sports UFC games. The games simulate real-life mixed martial arts pretty well, with nice touches like fighters getting injuries and the AI being able to anticipate your next move. Every fighter has nuance, while the details have improved, looking more authentic.

4. NHL

Ice hockey fans have the NHL series that holds the official National Hockey League (NHL) license. Although it may not be the most popular of the best EA Sports games of all time, it still remains an impressive annual franchise, launching in 1991 to date. Over the years, the updates have become more subtle. But you still cannot deny the drastic change in graphics and on-skate action. 

3. F1

Although F1 was Codemasters’ baby, EA Sports acquired the studio in 2021 and thus owns the rights to the Formula One (FWONK ) video game franchise. The officially licensed series, mind you, which stands as the best F1 experience you’ll have on console and PC. It’s not only a realistic representation of real-life F1 races, but also looks slick, from the liveries to the tracks. It gives you authentic handling to feel like a pro driver, enjoying stable control around corners, and the option of different grand prix, time trial, career, and story modes.

2. Madden NFL and EA Sports College Football

Did you know that Madden NFL launched as John Madden Football in 1988? Only in 1993 did the name change to Madden NFL, and well, we’ve since been on a roll, receiving better versions of the officially licensed National Football League (NFL) video game series. Interestingly, the series got the official league license in 1994, allowing you to control official teams and real players with real names. 

Beyond licensing, the series has been on an uphill climb, adding new game modes, controls, and rankings for your players and teams. I especially enjoy the building of your player from the bottom of the barrel to the Hall of Fame, which brings me to EA Sports College Football. There are differences, especially in the on-field action. While Madden NFL feels more grounded, College Football lets you move faster and enjoy a more arcade-like playstyle.

1. FIFA, Re-Branded to EA Sports FC

Out of all the best EA Sports games of all time, FIFA is the most popular, at least before it transitioned into EA Sports FC. The first entry was called FIFA International Soccer and launched in 1993 on the Sega Genesis. It gained recognition for its FIFA license, as well as an innovative isometric angle. At the time, the graphics and animations were pretty detailed, from the players to the cheering crowd. It did have technical issues, which have, over the years, been smoothed out. 

For three decades now, FIFA has dominated the soccer gaming market. It has your favorite official players and leagues. The graphics and animations are lifelike and take after their real-life counterparts. Controls are smooth while performance runs without a hitch. When EA Sports broke off its partnership with FIFA and re-branded the franchise to EA Sports FC, it didn’t change the fundamentals of gameplay. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Well, except for the aggressive microtransactions that I’m never going to stop criticizing.