The Top Ten 2010s Sports Video Games

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 29 May 2023

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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Best Sports Video Games of the 2010s

The 2010s was an exciting decade for sports video games, as developers pushed the boundaries of graphics, gameplay, and storytelling. The best sports video games of the 2010s managed to successfully replicate the feel of their respective sports, giving players a much more immersive gameplay experience than before. While any “best games” list will always be subjective, today’s post looks at some titles which, we feel, are pretty hard to disagree with.

How We Assessed the Highest Rated Sports Games of 2010s

The 2010s saw a surge in the quality and popularity of sports video games. It was a monumental decade for technology, with new, state-of-the-art processors allowing game developers to produce higher-quality, hyper-realistic games. While the history of sports video games can be traced back to the 1970s, it wasn’t really until the 2010s when sports video games really started to look like what we’d consider now to be a video game.

When we were looking at how to list the highest rated sports games 2010s, we had to look at several factors. These included gameplay, graphics, realism, and overall entertainment value. We took into account in-depth game reviews, both from professional critics and players. Naturally, sales figures and revenue generated also played a part.

You’ll notice that we’ve only included one early 2010s sports video game, as the technology was so much better in the later part of the decade.

What Changed In The 2010s?

When looking at the best sports video games of the 2010s you’ll quickly notice a dramatic difference compared to games released just a few years earlier. But what exactly happened that allowed game developers to produce such higher quality games? Well, one major development during the 2010s was the introduction of realistic story modes.

In the past, games were quite binary. Players needed to follow a set route, in most cases, to complete the game. In the early 2010s, however, game developers started producing more dynamic content. This meant that players could now create their own custom characters, make adaptations to their environment, and go on a journey, starting off as a rookie, and playing the character all the way up to a professional.

Another major technological advancement was the graphical improvements. Developers utilized new technology to create lifelike character models, accurate stadiums, and realistic player movements. Online gaming also started to gain mainstream appeal, and before long, many of the highest rated sports games 2010s had multiplayer modes built in.

As developers continued to innovate and push the boundaries of what sports video games could achieve, the 2010s became known as a golden age for game development.

In just a moment, we’re going to get started and show you the best games. However, you may notice we don’t mention any racing games on the following list. That’s because we have a dedicated page all about the best racing games ever made. It’s worth checking out, especially if you like to place an online bet on the Formula One.

NBA 2K19

NBA 2K19 was released in 2018, and players were treated to a fantastic basketball experience that combined realistic gameplay with some of the most exceptional graphics ever seen.

One of the game’s key selling points was the MyCAREER mode, which allowed players to create their own character and guide them through their journey from a newbie to a seasoned pro. The game boasts a fantastic storyline, developed by Visual Concepts and 2K, and the 2019 season release also removed a lot of complaints players had about previous versions.

Aside from the graphics, the neighborhood feature was another well-received addition, where players could explore a virtual community, play pick-up games, and interact with other gamers. The gameplay was smooth and responsive, and there was a noticeable decrease in lag, enabling players to enjoy a more streamlined gaming experience.

Madden 19

Madden 19 is regularly classed as being one of the best sports video games of the 2010s. It combines the action-packed nature of football with state-of-the-art graphics and game mechanics. The game’s story mode, “Longshot: Homecoming,” is actually something of an emotional journey for gamers, as they follow two aspiring football players through their careers.

While this was a great feature, it was undoubtedly the “Franchise” mode that really won the game its place on the list of the decade’s best sports games. This unique game option allowed players to take control of their favorite NFL team and guide them to Super Bowl victory.

No detail was left out; there was a realistic drafting system, a free agency, and state-of-the-art player development tools, giving players full customization over their gameplay and the strategy they wanted to use.

Fight Night Champion

Fight Night Champion was a knockout in the world of sports video games, offering an intense and fast-paced virtual boxing experience to players. We think it’s fair to say the game’s dark and gritty atmosphere, combined with competitive and highly entertaining bouts, ensures it gets its place on the highest rated sports games 2010s list.

As we’ve seen with many of the games released in the 2010s, new technology allowed game developers to build much more realistic games than before. In Fight Night Championship, for example, players had to carefully time their punches, dodges, and blocks to overcome their opponents.

This meant that the buttons you pressed, and the time/combination you pressed them, had a significant impact on the results. Let’s check out some of the other top boxing video games of the 21st century:

Game Name	Release Date
Rocky	2002
Fight Night Round 4	2009
Punch-Out!!	2009
Real Boxing	2012
Creed: Rise to Glory	2018

Pro Evolution Soccer 2019

Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 was a game that soccer fans couldn’t get enough of. It was a huge hit in Europe, although it also did remarkably well in the US, too. It combined realistic gameplay with Konami’s state-of-the-art game engine to produce a game that rivals the FIFA franchise from EA Games.

One of the major upgrades players could find in Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 was the addition of new leagues. For example, the Russian Premier Liga, the Jupiler Pro League, and the Superliga Quilmes Clasica were all included.

From transfers and tactics to team training and scouting, the special “Master League” mode gave players even more control over the management of their team, and the multiplayer mode added even more fun, increasing the competitive nature of the game by allowing players to play against others.

MLB The Show 19

MLB The Show 19 is a game that’s only available for PlayStation 4, which is a pretty major issue for Xbox and Switch users, as it’s widely considered the best baseball game ever made. 2010s sports video games are usually released cross-platform, but for some reason, SIE Dan Diego Studio didn’t choose to release MLB The Show 19 for other platforms.

One of the main reasons why the game was (and still is) so popular is its hyper-realistic graphics. They’re exceptional, with detailed player models and realistic stadiums that made players feel like they were actually in the stadium physically playing the game.

The game boasted several new, unique features when it was released, one of which is called the Road to the Show mode. In this mode, players can create their own baseball player and guide them through their career, starting out right at the bottom, in the minor leagues, and taking them all the way to the highest levels of the MLB.

There is also the “Diamond Dynasty” mode, a card-collecting game where players build their dream team by collecting and trading baseball cards. This was something most gamers weren’t used to, and it was yet another reason why both critics and players gave MLB The Show 19 such high review scores.