The Top 2000s Sports Video Games

By Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 01 May 2023

Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

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Top 2000s Sports Video Games

• The Best Sports Video Games of the 2000s
• Highest-Rated Sports Games 2000s
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
• FIFA 09
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004
• Wii Sports
• NBA Street Vol 2
• Other Notable Games
• Frequently Asked Questions

Sports video games have come a long way since the 2000s, but it was during that decade that some of the most memorable titles were released. From soccer to basketball and everything in between, the 2000s saw the birth of some of the most iconic sports video games in history. In this blog post, we’ll take a look back at the best sports video games of the 2000s and why they remain so beloved today.

The Best Sports Video Games of the 2000s

The 2000s were a golden age for sports video games, with titles like Wii Sports, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 and FIFA 09 setting the standard for years to come. These games not only introduced new features like realistic graphics and online multiplayer, but also revolutionized the way we play sports video games. Even today, many of these games are still played and revered by fans all over the world.

Highest Rated Sports Games 2000s

When it comes to the highest rated sports games of the 2000s, the competition was fierce. From the critically acclaimed NBA Street Vol 2 to the beloved Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, these games not only earned high scores from reviewers, but also captured the hearts of fans everywhere. But what is it that made these games so special?

Was it the innovative gameplay mechanics, the stunning visuals, or the unforgettable soundtracks? In the following sections, we’ll dive into some of the most beloved sports video games of the 2000s and explore why they continue to be fan favorites to this day.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is one of the most iconic and beloved sports video games of all time. It’s also one of the early 2000s sports video games – released in 2000. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 revolutionized the skateboarding genre with its fast-paced gameplay, incredible soundtrack, and stunning visuals.

Developed by Neversoft and published by Activision, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 quickly became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a whole generation of gamers and skateboarders alike. At its core, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is a skateboarding game that lets players perform incredible tricks and stunts in a variety of locations.

The game features an impressive roster of professional skaters, including Tony Hawk himself, as well as characters that players can create and customize. The objective is simple: score as many points as possible by performing tricks, combos, and grinds on various obstacles throughout each level.

One of the defining features of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is its incredible soundtrack, which features an eclectic mix of punk, rock, and hip-hop tracks from artists like Rage Against the Machine, Naughty by Nature, and Bad Religion. The soundtrack perfectly captures the energy and attitude of skateboarding culture and is widely regarded as one of the best in video game history.

But Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is much more than just a fun skateboarding game with a great soundtrack. It’s also a technical marvel, featuring smooth animations, realistic physics, and detailed textures that make each level feel like a living, breathing world.

The game also introduced several new features, including the ability to create custom skate parks and share them online, as well as a career mode that lets players progress through various levels and earn new tricks and equipment.

FIFA 09

FIFA 09 is a soccer video game released in 2008 by EA Sports. The game features numerous improvements and additions from its predecessor, FIFA 08. FIFA 09 includes new features such as the Be a Pro mode, which allows players to create and develop a custom player and experience the life of a professional soccer player, complete with contracts, endorsements, and off-the-field experiences.

The game also introduced new animations, player models, and physics, making for a more realistic and immersive soccer experience. Additionally, FIFA 09 features over 500 teams from over 30 leagues across the world, as well as improved artificial intelligence and gameplay mechanics.

One of the most notable additions to FIFA 09 is the inclusion of a brand-new mode called Ultimate Team. This mode allows players to build and manage their own custom soccer teams, buying and selling players, building up team chemistry, and competing in online tournaments against other players from around the world. Ultimate Team became an instant hit and has since become a staple of the FIFA franchise.

Another notable feature of FIFA 09 is the inclusion of a soundtrack featuring over 40 songs from a variety of genres, including rock, hip-hop, and electronic. The soundtrack was curated by the game’s developers and has since become a beloved aspect of the FIFA series, with many fans eagerly anticipating the announcement of each new year’s soundtrack.

FIFA 09 received critical acclaim upon release, with reviewers praising its improved graphics, gameplay, and the addition of new features like Be a Pro and Ultimate Team. The game was a commercial success as well, selling over 7.8 million copies worldwide and becoming one of the highest-selling sports video games of the 2000s.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 is a golf simulation game that was released by EA Sports in 2003. The game features professional golfer Tiger Woods, along with a host of other players and customizable characters. It is undoubtedly one of the highest rated sports games of the 2000s.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 introduces new courses, including Pebble Beach, and new features such as Tiger Challenge mode, where players can face off against Woods in a series of challenges. The game also includes updated graphics, improved gameplay mechanics, and realistic physics, including wind, spin, and slope.

Career mode allows players to create a custom golfer and work their way up through the ranks by competing in tournaments and building up their skills. Tournament mode lets players compete in PGA Tour events, while online multiplayer allows them to play against others around the world.

The game received critical acclaim for its realistic gameplay, improved graphics, and new features like Tiger Challenge mode. It also received praise for its dynamic commentary, which adds an element of excitement to the game.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 is widely considered one of the best golf simulation games ever made, thanks to its realistic gameplay, vast range of options, and immersive experience. It sold over a million copies in its first month and went on to become one of the highest-rated sports video games of the 2000s.

Incidentally, if you’re interested in mobile betting on golf, check out our recommended list of US-friendly betting sites.

Wii Sports

Wii Sports is a sports simulation game released by Nintendo for the Wii console in 2006. It was a groundbreaking game that introduced motion control gaming to the masses.

The game includes five sports simulations: tennis, baseball, bowling, golf, and boxing. Players use the Wii remote to mimic the motions of the sport they’re playing, making for a highly interactive and immersive experience. From pretending to bout against another fighter with the motion controls, to betting on the boxing from the palm of their hand, Millenials from that era are always embracing the latest in technology.

Wii Sports became incredibly popular among casual gamers and families due to its ease of use and accessibility. It was often bundled with the Wii console and became one of the highest-selling games of all time, with over 82 million copies sold worldwide.

The game received critical acclaim for its innovative use of motion controls, simple gameplay, and addictive multiplayer modes. Wii Sports was also praised for its ability to introduce new players to video games, with many people citing it as the game that got them into gaming.

Wii Sports’ success led to the creation of other Wii Sports games, such as Wii Sports Resort and Wii Sports Club, as well as numerous other motion-controlled games on other consoles. It remains a beloved classic among gamers and a cultural touchstone of the gaming industry.

NBA Street Vol 2

NBA Street Vol 2 is a street basketball video game released by EA Sports BIG in 2003. It features a unique mix of arcade-style gameplay, stylized graphics, and real-life NBA players.

The game’s most notable feature is its over-the-top tricks and dunks, which allow players to pull off impossible moves and create their own highlight reels. NBA Street Vol 2 also includes a range of customizable characters and teams, along with a variety of game modes, including pick-up games, tournaments, and the infamous “Be a Legend” mode.

The game’s soundtrack features a mix of hip-hop, rock, and funk, adding to the game’s street-style vibe. NBA Street Vol 2 also introduced several new gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to taunt opponents and the use of Gamebreakers, which allow players to perform even more impressive moves.

NBA Street Vol 2 was a critical and commercial success, praised for its innovative gameplay, graphics, and sound. The game was nominated for numerous awards and has since become a cult classic among fans of arcade-style sports games. NBA Street Vol 2 also paved the way for future street basketball games, including the NBA Ballers series and NBA Jam: On Fire Edition.

Other Notable Games

In addition to the best sports video games of the 2000s we’ve covered, there were many other popular titles that left an impact on the industry. Here, we look at some of the other highest-rated sports video games in 2000s.