Ranking the Next-Gen Sports Games (9/23) - RaychelSnr's Blog

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Ranking the Next-Gen Sports Games (9/23) Stuck

Posted on September 23, 2013 at 12:51 PM.

(11)

NBA Live 14.

Last month, I ranked the next-gen sports games based upon what we've heard and what we are expecting coming up in November.

These rankings reflect my own personal expectations for which games are going to be the must own titles on next-gen. I am in the same position as most of you, the only claim to fame I have is that I've done this once before back at the 360/PS3 launch so many years ago. Thus, this is a fun list and meant to hopefully inspire you all to give me yours!

With a month gone, here are my updated rankings of the next-gen sports games set to be released at launch:

1. FIFA 14 (Prev: 1) - Still has shown the most out of every sports game on next-gen platforms and still the surest bet to be the best next-gen sports game. We'll find out come November.

2. Forza Motorsport 5 (Prev: 2) - Forza is money, and Xbox One owners will be happy they bought their console when they get their hands on this title. I almost considered bumping this up to number one, as I feel Forza is going to almost certainly review quite well from critics and consumers alike.

3. Need for Speed: Rivals (Prev: 4) - Need for Speed has quietly built itself into a quite good year to year racing franchise. I think the consistency in releases plus the dynamic modes of play being promised will make this title a very solid launch title.

4. NBA 2K14 (Prev: 3) - We still know absolutely nothing about the next-gen version of NBA 2K except some rumblings the game has been build from 'the ground up.' We heard all of this before from a consistent winner heading into a new generation...that game was Madden NFL 06. I don't expect that kind of a flop, but until we get some concrete details I can't feel as good about NBA 2K right now as I did last month. I'm still expecting 2K to deliver, but I'm on wait and see mode for some details which should start coming out in October.

5. Madden NFL 25 (Prev: 5) - There isn't much reason to move Madden anywhere yet. We haven't heard much on the new game, but details should be coming soon. For now, Madden holds steady.

6. NBA Live 14 (Prev: 6) - Live 14 details have started coming out but none of it has really made me overly excited just yet. Live has to really be a solid title to have viability moving forward, especially since it's missing the PS4 launch.

7. Driveclub (Prev: 8) - I'm warming up a bit to the PlayStation exclusive. Some of the social details we've heard sound like fun. Thus far I'm cautiously optimistic this could be one of those solid next-gen experiences we want at launch.

8. Powerstar Golf (Prev: 7) - Haven't heard much from this title since E3. Waiting on more details for sure.

9. Kinect Sports: Rivals (Prev: NR) - Rivals is a launch window title for the Xbox One, and will attempt to recreate the magic of the original Wii Sports from so many years ago. Thus far no compilation game has really managed to do it right, my hopes aren't high in the Kinect Sports franchise to change it. I hope I'm proven wrong.

10. Pool Nation Extreme (Prev: 9) - Pushed back into launch window title mode, I'm not 100% confident in anything this game will offer except a game of pool with the prettiest graphics ever. Not so bold prediction: This either ends up a dud or a surprise hit.

The Even More Timely 'Which Console is Better For Sports Gaming' Recommendation: If you love baseball, the PS4 is your best route to go. The Xbox One has better launch day exclusives (Powerstar Golf, Forza), but the 6-8 month timeframe will see Sony get a better overall sports lineup with The Show exclusively on its console.

What titles are you expecting to buy at launch on next-gen?

Comments

# 1 TheLetterZ @ Sep 23

Good call, Chris!

NBA 2K14 excites me most, but I can't argue with you putting FIFA 14 on top based on what we've seen.

I agree that the PS4 has a huge edge based on The Show. Plus, you have to consider the rumblings about the PS4 having superior hardware.

Maybe Xbox One will make up that ground with a better online offering. Not sure yet.

# 2 poloelite @ Sep 23

At launch I will definitely take advantage of the $10 trade up program for Madden and 2k. I will also be getting Day One Edition Forza. I'll have money set aside for Live if the 5 on 5 gameplay warrants full price. If not, I will get it when the price drops.

# 3 Sendak44 @ Sep 23

Honestly, I think I will wait it out to see if these games are Madden 06-type garbage. I am just afraid that the complete lack of content/teasers that they have released for sports games on next gen means either they are not a big enough upgrade from the current gen to show off, or they are in fact, 06-type garbage.

Of course, I am hoping for the best. I just don't know if I've seen enough to pull the trigger on a launch day sports title.

# 4 grodbetatted @ Sep 23

its funny how they said "missing the ps4 launch" for nba live 14 like people can't wait 3 days like really -__-

# 5 Sigma4Life @ Sep 23

I don't think a lack of information means the games won't be good. Why would EA & 2K pump up how amazing they think FIFA, Madden & NBK 2K will be on next gen today now when they want us to buy millions of copies of the current gen version? Plus when the new consoles launch there will only be a fraction of an installed base compared to current gen. That means even if Madden 25 is the best thing since sliced bread on Xbox One / PS4 they will still only sell a relatively small number of copies vs what they can sell on current gen. In other words, there is virtually no business upside to promoting next gen right now no matter how great (or bad) the new games might be.

If Madden, FIFA and NBA 2K had all come out 8 months ago then they would be pushing next gen hard right now. Since they are still unreleased or new to the market it makes ZERO business sense to promote anything else until absolutely necessary.

# 6 BenVenom @ Sep 23

I feel that after ea releases fifa 14(their last current gen release) tomorrow we will then see a heavy push from them showing off all their next gen releases. I feel they tried to squeak as many sales from current g as possible. They probably felt that even showing next gen madden and live b4 current fifa/nhl would hurt their fifa(current g) sales and fifa is huge for them.

# 7 RaychelSnr @ Sep 23

I'm not worried about the lack of info thus far, I know I wrote on a blog back in March or April to not expect much Next-Gen info until October. Companies have to sell current-gen games which are going to make them more money this year...and EA/2K/everyone else knows you are buying the games on next-gen and they don't need as much time to build hype.

# 8 RaychelSnr @ Sep 24

Will make sure to include UFC and The Crew in a future set of rankings. Neither are listed Launch or Launch Window but both will be out around the same time as Kinect Sports. Will have to consider The Show at that point as well! (Perhaps I will?)