5. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
Tiger Woods' PGA Tour is year-over-year the best simulation golf game on the market and the trend continues this year. But is it “more of the same” from EA Sports? 2009 may be the year of change in America but the gameplay in Tiger Woods 10 feels identical to the previous title – than again there wasn't much need for change. The change comes in the way of new modes, new golfers and new courses.
By now thousands of players have taken to the virtual links in an attempt to sit atop the new “Money List.” The all new Live Tournament modes represent the core of improvements in Tiger Woods 10. Daily and weekly tournaments as well as the Play the Pros mode engages gamers in competition online that can prove as addicting as World of Warcraft.
It's time to trade in last year's title and get online with Tiger Woods 10. And if you're a Wii owner you'll get the new Wii Motion Plus accessory with the game free of charge.
4. Fight Night Round 4
EA Sports' fourth title in this infamous boxing franchise sets the bar higher than ever. Fight Night Round 4 takes everything that was great from Fight Night Round 3 and improves upon it to make it easily the best boxing simulation in history.
With an all new physics engine driving the gameplay, FNR4 provides the smoothest, most realistic fighting in any boxing game. Punches that land square on your opponent's face cause his ugly mug to ripple while sending blood and sweat flying in the air and across the mat. Likewise, blows now glance off the arms, head and chest realistically, even getting tangled in your opponent's arms as he tries to counter punch you.
Speaking of counter punching, the more of it you can do the better off you'll be in the ring. Sure you can stand toe-to-toe and throw haymakers, but dodging a left hook and than delivering one of your own is sure to provide better results. All of this is part of EA's attempt to recreate the sport as accurately as possible. And recreate it they do – Fight Night Round 4 is absolutely addicting and a must-own for any fight fan.
3. MLB 09: The Show
The most realistic baseball simulation ever. Need I say more? MLB 09: The Show was awarded GamePro's Editor's Choice award and for good reason – it's just plain fun to play.
Its realistic gameplay isn't fueled by incredibly involved control schemes like other baseball titles (I'm looking at you MLB2K9), instead The Show keeps it simple which allows casual fans to pick up a controller and really enjoy themselves. One button batting and a three click pitching process brings the controls back to the basics, which is what the real life sport is all about.
The Road to the Show mode is arguably one of the best modes in any sports game. Sure it's been done before by EA Sports in Madden NFL 08, but not like this, not this well. Road to the Show lets you create a ballplayer and experience his career from the minors all the way to “The Show” and hopefully on into Cooperstown. And like everything in this game, it's realistic right down to your rookie stats.
XBOX 360 owners really got the shaft on this one. MLB 09: The Show is so good, it gives you a reason to trade in your 360 for a PS3.
2. Madden NFL 10
It's said every year – why bother buying Madden again when it's just “more of the same.” For some, updated rosters and tweaked modes aren't enough for them to spend the $60 on the new title. They are perfectly happy still playing Madden 08. Well, this isn't one of those years and Madden NFL 10 will not be “more of the same.”
EA Sports' flagship title ships in August on all three major consoles and each boasts some drastic improvements. For the PS3 and 360 the new Procedural Tackling, or PRO-TAK system, takes center stage. Authentic gang tackling is now possible thanks to an all new animation engine that is driven by physics. EA's new PRO-TAK system alters stock motion captured animations using true-to-life physics where player's height, weight, speed and strength attributes play into how a tackle, or broken tackle plays out. Quarterbacks will now have a realistic pocket form around them because the same PRO-TAK system controls blocking. EA's mantra this year is “fight for every yard,” and that has never been more true in a Madden game.
Wii owners get a radically different game this year as well. EA's art team has been hard at work creating an entirely fresh looking game that features more over-the-top animated players than past titles. Each player position (QB, LB, LM, WR, RB) gets a different looking character model that visually distinguishes them from the others on the field. The game's visuals aren't the only thing that has changed, the controls are now more intuitive and less complicated giving Madden 10 for the Wii a whole new feel to it.
1. UFC 2009: Undisputed
UFC 2009 is the undisputed champ of video game ass kicking. The breakout hit was awarded our Editor's Choice award for the month of May because it delivers addicting and satisfying gameplay that keeps you glued to your TV.
Fighters look like replicas of their real-life counterparts, and with blood realistically dripping down your fighter's face, splattering on your opponent's chest and spraying across the octagon, Undisputed's graphics are just one of its many strong points. The game's audio, like its visuals, are fantastic. Bruce Buffer's bellowing voice sets the stage while Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan provide commentary that is so authentic it makes you feel like you're playing a real pay-per-view match.
In a year saturated with great sports titles across all platforms, UFC 2009 slugs its way past its franchise's previous problems and claims our number one spot. THQ and Yukes have created a truly impressive game that makes it difficult for gamers to put down the controller.
