Author Bio
Christian McLeodHome Town: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Sports: Baseball, Hockey, College Football, Basketball
Games: NHL 94, MVP Baseball 05, Punch Out, Excitebike
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, and Pistons, Michigan State Spartans
OS Username: Bumble14
Tags: Xbox Live: Bumble14
Thursday, December 9, 2010
12:35 PM - December 9, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
To quote my annual introduction to this article, it's the most wonderful time of the year...again. With the holidays quickly approaching -- and already here for our Jewish friends -- stress levels are at all-time highs, especially if you have not finished finding gifts for your loved ones. But have no fear, for the third straight year I'm here to help with my annual sports gaming buyers' guide.
This year has been a great one for sports gaming, but this has unfortunately led to some games not receiving the recognition they deserve. So read on to find out which of these overlooked titles should be picked up for your loved ones.
Read More - 2010 Holiday Buyers' Guide: Dark Horse Edition
Monday, December 6, 2010
01:21 PM - December 6, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
It is hard to believe that console gaming has been around for 35 years (38 if you count the amazing Magnavox Odyssey). What is even more amazing is that it was a "sports" game, Pong, that led the gaming charge into living rooms worldwide. As gaming consoles have advanced through the years so have the controllers. In what could be considered a sign of the times, console control schemes seem to have advanced in complexity each successive generation.
So how exactly has this complexity affected sports games? Many will debate that the simpler schemes of yesteryear provided better gameplay experiences, while many other dedicated "sim" fans are calling for even more buttons. Regardless of your stance on this hot-button issue, there is no denying that several console controllers have stood out among the rest in regards to sports gaming. Over the past couple months, I decided to dust off my old console collection in an attempt to rank the top 10 console controllers in terms of sports gaming fluidity.
So what were the results of my study? Read on to find out.
Read More - Top 10 Sports Gaming Controllers of All Time
Friday, November 26, 2010
01:21 PM - November 26, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
Gold:Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
Many people forgot that Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 was indeed released after 1999. Debuting on the original Playstation in the year 2000 (cue Conan O'Brien), TH2 was near perfection. With its marvelous control scheme, addictive multiplayer and various game modes, Tony Hawk 2 was a sports gaming masterpiece. It's not often that a sports title is mentioned in the same breath as GoldenEye and Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but in TH2's case it was well deserved. Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 is hands down the greatest alternative sports game ever created.
Silver: Virtua Tennis
By definition, Dreamcast owners were hardcore sports fanatics. With that said, if you owned a Dreamcast and did not own Virtua Tennis, you should be ashamed of yourself. It didn't matter that the game's most recognizable licensed player was Tommy Haas, or that tennis was not exactly the most popular sport on Earth. Why? Because the game was a blast to play. It was so much fun that my entire freshman year of college was spent having doubles tournaments against my roommates and eventually our entire dorm. When a game has the power to turn 30-plus 18-year-old kids living in a dorm for football and baseball players into rabid tennis fans, you know you have something special. Virtua Tennis still finds its way into my Dreamcast at least once every few months. It is the greatest tennis game ever.
Readers' Choice: WWF No Mercy
In the wide open other games category, WWF No Mercy ended up taking the crown from all other contenders. However, the category was close as No Mercy managed 13 percent of the vote while Fight Night Round 4 was on its heels at 12 percent of the vote. Interestingly enough the readers didn't show as much love towards Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 or Virtua Tennis, as the former was down on the list and Virtua Tennis barely garnered any reader support.
01:10 PM - November 26, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
Gold: NHL 10
There is not a whole lot left to be said about a game that has won multiple sports game of the year awards. NHL 09 is considered to be one of the best sports games ever released. Just in case you live on another planet or were a part of the latest biosphere project during the last 10 years, I will sum it up for you: NHL 10 is the Wayne Gretzky of hockey games. Whether you were investing countless hours perfecting your GM skills, leading your favorite team through the game's Quest for the Cup mode or meeting up with your friends to play the games MMO-style EASHL quest for the Stanley Cup, NHL 10 had something for everyone. It didn't hurt that the on-ice gameplay was fantastic either. Best hockey game of the decade, check. Best hockey game ever? You betcha.
Silver: NHL Hitz 20-03
NHL Hitz 20-03 is arcade hockey perfected. This three-on-three game featured outstanding graphics, strategic gameplay at a breakneck pace, outstanding multiplayer modes and goalie fights -- yes, goalie fights. Speaking of fighting, the engine featured in Hitz 20-03 was one of the best in the business. On the surface the fisticuffs seemed simple enough, but as you engaged in enough battles against your opponent there was a layer of complexity that emerged not unlike the fights in Blades of Steel. There's a reason why Hitz 20-03 is still being played in homes and bars across the country; if you've never played it, head to your local retailer's bargain bin, you won't regret it.
Readers' Choice: NHL 10
This one was a landslide. While there were some great offerings from EA, 2K and others that were very solid and memorable, NHL 10 garnered over 65 percent of the total vote, which means it received double the votes of all the other nominees combined!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
12:40 PM - November 24, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
Gold: MLB 09: The Show
The quintessential baseball simulation, MLB 09 is a purist's dream game. During a decade that featured the best baseball games in sports gaming history, MLB 09 differentiated itself from its competition in terms of sheer realism. From the photorealistic player and stadium graphics to the incredibly deep Dynasty mode, no other game has ever replicated the atmosphere of baseball better. I would even go as far as to say that MLB 09 transcends sports gaming -- it's more of an interactive baseball broadcast than anything else. As a baseball fan it really does not get any better than that!
Silver: MVP Baseball 2005
When EA decided to revamp the Triple Play series, many felt that EA would no longer be a player when it came to baseball games. Oh how the masses were wrong. Regardless of the fact that MVP 2005 was the last version in the series -- thanks to 2K's exclusivity agreement -- it was the pinnacle of baseball gaming to that point in history. MVP perfected meter-based pitching, analog controls, ball physics and gave gamers the yet to be matched Owner mode that placed an emphasis on building a team like a real world Steinbrenner. There is no denying the importance of MVP 05 in baseball gaming history as many of its innovations are still being used in today's games.
Readers' Choice: MLB '09: The Show
MLB '09: The Show garnered 49 percent of the total votes while MVP Baseball was able to gather 29 percent of the total votes. The rest of the field garnered the other 22 percent of the vote.
12:17 AM - November 24, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
Let me preface this review with the following: outside of updated HD graphics, the control schemes and online multiplayer, Jam Wii and Jam HD are identical games. Because of this I will be spending my time with this review discussing Jam HD's control scheme and online functionality. If you want a more in-depth look at the game, please read my Wii review.
A few weeks back I posted my review of NBA Jam for the Nintendo Wii. While the gameplay, motion controls, Career mode and Remix Tour were all outstanding additions to the franchise, there was one key feature holding the game back from true greatness: online multiplayer.
Since I first began playing Jam Wii, I've been eagerly anticipating the release of Jam HD. When I finally got my hands on my copy, you can only imagine my excitement: I felt like it was 1993 all over again and I was tearing down the street on my Huffy White Heat bike to the local arcade.
So is Jam HD all it's cracked up to be, or does it feel like a shameless cash grab?
Read More - EA Sports NBA Jam HD Review
Friday, November 19, 2010
01:20 PM - November 19, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
Unfortunately for OS, Christian isn't quite up to Fedor's skill level.
Mickey from Rocky, Yoda, Izzy Mandelbaum from Seinfeld, Splinter from TMNT, Mr. Miyagi and Chase Becotte. What do they all have in common? They are all teachers, mentors, trainers. All took misfits under their wings and crafted them like a ball of clay into something spectacular.
In the case of Chase Becotte, he was given the hardest job of all. He has been tasked with taking an old man whose gaming reflexes are deteriorating and is terrible at fighting games, and he must attempt to get him into gaming shape in one week to compete in the EA Sports MMA Mystic Tournament on November 17, 2010.
The "old man" being referenced is Operation Sports' own Christian McLeod.
The following is a first-person account full of intrigue, suspense, human emotion and an **** battle scene that makes anything you have seen in any summer blockbuster look lame.
Read More - EA Sports MMA Training Journal: Christian's Final Stand (Operation Sports vs. Sherdog)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
04:11 PM - November 17, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
Motion controls being used in sports games? Bah Humbug! In today's world of gimmicky gaming control schemes, there is nothing more infuriating to me as a hardcore sports gamer than for people to think that motion controls are the future of the genre. I could go off on a long-winded diatribe explaining my disdain for motion controls in sports gaming, but it is far easier to point to the historical failure of existing motion-control schemes to illustrate what a mistake it is to believe this gimmick will catch on.
As my colleague Jared Sexton mentions in his article taking a "pro" perspective on motion controls, the Power Glove teased sports gamers with the possibility of actually interacting with our favorite Nintendo sports personalities. Like Jared, I too was beyond disappointed to don the glove, only to find that its motion capabilities were severely limited, and that you still had to rely on a controller that was conveniently hidden on the forearm of the unit -- I never noticed that in The Wizard. It was at this moment my confidence in motion-controlled sports gaming was shattered. Even at the ripe old age of eight, I knew when I had been swindled, and my distrust of anything mentioning "motion" with regards to gaming was in full effect.
Read More - Why Motion Controls Will Never Be the Focus of Hardcore Sports Games
Thursday, October 28, 2010
02:44 PM - October 28, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
I came to a realization the other night while sitting in my basement. As I sat on my couch enjoying yet another great game of NHL 11, I glanced over at my growing gaming collection. Nestled cozily in between my copies of NBA 2K11, NCAA Football 11, UFC Undisputed 2010, MLB 10 and FIFA 11 were barely touched copies of Halo Reach, Red Dead Redemption and Mass Effect 2. It was at this moment that it hit me like a ton of bricks: 2010 has been the year of the sports game.Halo Reach, Red Dead Redemption and Mass Effect 2 are three of the best video games I have ever played. The problem is that with a plethora of great sports games currently available, it is downright impossible to invest the proper amount of time into these other gaming masterpieces. For the first time during this console generation, sports gamers are being rewarded with top-notch triple-A games. This year's crop of sports games can stand toe to toe with the likes of Call of Duty, Uncharted and Halo.
Read More - 2010: A Sports Gaming Odyssey
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
11:51 AM - October 19, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
I will never forget the first time I was able to experience NBA Jam Wii at an EA press event last April in NYC. As lead designer Trey Smith explained the game's motion-control scheme, my eyes were glued to the screen. Throughout that developer walkthrough I was having flashbacks to the early '90s when I would spend hours at a local arcade (and later with my Genesis) playing NBA Jam and NBA Jam TE.
However, I did not go into the event last April without trepidation. Much like many other people, I had become disillusioned with the franchise over the years while it tried to figure out what it wanted to be. And being the disillusioned soul that I was, I was also more than a bit skeptical when EA decided to reboot the franchise on the Wii.
Either way, once I was finally turned loose on the game at the press event none of that mattered anymore. Within minutes I was completely hooked on the visual style, classic gameplay and intuitive motion-control scheme. Everything I loved about Jam was back -- the frantic pace, the ridiculous moves, Tim Kitzrow and even the ridiculous rubber-band AI -- along with some cool new twists like alley-oops, spin moves and crossovers. The moment I left NYC I was dying to get more hands-on time with the game on the Wii.
Read More - EA Sports NBA Jam Review (Wii)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
01:59 PM - September 7, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
The Wii has struggled to strike a balance with core sports gamers. Whether it is the reliance on motion controls or the inferior graphical prowess of Nintendo's innovative console, the Wii simulation sports market has never quite caught on the way it has on the other two consoles this generation. Even with excellent sports simulations available for the console, most notably EA's Tiger Woods series, the vast majority of sports game-aholics immediately discount any title that releases for the Wii console. However, the console has excelled in the casual space -- creating legions of new gamers looking to bowl a couple virtual frames or paddle a kayak through some virtual rapids.
Today, EA Sports is releasing NHL Slapshot, a game that admirably tries to cater to the core simulation sports gamer while offering an innovative control scheme -- reliant on one of the most unique controller peripherals you will ever see -- to also appease the more casual/family oriented audience.
Read More - NHL Slapshot Review
Thursday, September 2, 2010
08:14 PM - September 2, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
Baseball's pennant push is in full swing, and several teams are feverishly trying to claw their way to a division title. For those of us whose teams have already been eliminated from postseason consideration (my beloved Tigers included), the only baseball we really have to look forward to right now is next season's entry of Sony's stellar MLB: The Show franchise. While this year's title was an excellent addition to the series, there are definitely some nagging issues holding the game back from the elusive "GOAT" status.With plenty of time still left in this year's development cycle, I figured I would put together a couple critical aspects of the game that should be altered for the upcoming season.
Read More - Four Keys to Success for MLB '11: The Show
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
01:26 PM - September 1, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
Operation Sports got a chance to talk with NHL 2K11 cover athlete Ryan Kesler yesterday. Read on to find out what Kesler thinks about being a 2K cover athlete, video games and a certain Chicago Blackhawks theme song.
Read More - Interview with NHL 2K11 Cover Athlete Ryan Kessler
Thursday, August 5, 2010
02:21 PM - August 5, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
Earlier this summer, baseball fans everywhere witnessed one of the most anticipated professional debuts in the history of the game. When Stephen Strasburg took the mound against the Pirates on June 8, the entire sports world watched in anticipation. With a 100-plus mph fastball and devastating curveball, Strasburg exceeded expectations in his first start, throwing even more coal into the furnace of a hype train about to break the sound barrier.The day after his first start MLB 2K10's MLB Today debuted Strasburg's virtual doppelganger with an overall rating of 87, which made him one of the top 15 pitchers in the game. Since Strasburg has continued to impress in each of his real life starts (until he went on the DL) and has quieted many naysayers (myself included), I wanted to take a peak into the future of Strasburg's career and see just how good/bad/or indifferent his Major League career could be using MLB 2K10. Utilizing the "Living Roster" from 6/18, I simulated Strasburg's entire MLB career.
So how did the most exciting prospect this side of Ken Griffey Jr. fair according to MLB 2K10? Here's a hint, Nationals fans will be very happy but not exactly for the reason you may think. Read on to find out.
Read More - Projecting Stephen Strasburg's Career with MLB 2K10
Friday, July 23, 2010
01:08 PM - July 23, 2010. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Christian McLeod
Both Chris and Christian got to play the Madden demo just a little bit early and sat down to talk through the demo and what they thought. Discussions centered around likes, dislikes, thoughts on the new commentary team and where we see Madden going this season. Check out their thoughts after the jump.
Read More - Madden NFL 11 Demo Roundtable
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