Sports gamers on a budget have two choices. The first is cut back on sports gaming (not realistic), and the second is doing research to identify some of the best deals out there. If you are not ready to give up your sports gaming, then lucky for you, yours truly has already done the research on the deals. Sit back, relax and take a look at a little piece I like to call, Sports Gaming on a Budget: January 2011 Edition.

Blur (Xbox 360/PS3)

Do you like racing games that feature realistic car models like Forza and Gran Turismo 5? Do you like fast-paced arcade racing action like Burnout and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit? Do you enjoy battle-racing games like Mario Kart? If you answered yes to any two of the above, you will love Blur. What you will love even more than the gameplay is the price. Currently it is possible to find this title for as little as $17 on eBay. The game is also retailing at prices that range between $20-$30.

Blur features an incredibly deep career mode that will keep you busy for hours, slick car model and track graphics, and a very addictive online mode. Made by the same creative minds behind the Project Gotham series, Blur is an incredibly polished product. If you are a racing fan on a budget, this is the game for you.

2010 FIFA World Cup (Xbox 360/PS3)

If you are looking for a new version of this soccer gem, you can find it on eBay or at retail stores in the $20-$30 range. If you settle for a used copy, you can find it on eBay and Amazon going for $17. What made this title so special is that it captured pretty much everything that makes the World Cup one of the most popular sporting tournaments worldwide. Add in some exceptional gameplay -- I'd argue better gameplay than even FIFA 11 -- and you have my favorite soccer game ever made.

In addition to leading any team you want to the World Cup, the game also includes the incredibly fun Captain Your Country mode. In this game mode you will create a player, and play from just that player's perspective as you attempt to make your national team and lead it to World Cup glory.

If you are even remotely a fan of soccer, and are looking for an outstanding footie game to add to your collection, go out and buy this game right now.

The Bigs 2 (Xbox 360/PS3)

The most underrated baseball game to come out during this generation of consoles is The Bigs 2. Offering a very deep career mode, a full season mode, and mini-games that will have you endlessly attempting to top your own high scores, this is a baseball fan's dream come true. Some will shy away from the game because of its over-the-top approach, but many do not realize that you can turn these game effects off if you are looking for more of a simulation experience. The game may never achieve the realism of a game like The Show, but it certainly has the baseball fun factor that games like RBI Baseball and Bases Loaded provided back in the day.

The game can be found new for $25 at a store like Best Buy, and savvy consumers can pick the game up used for roughly $15 through Amazon. I highly recommend this game, and at its current price point picking this one up should be a easy decision.

SSX 3 (Xbox/PS2)

Released in 2003, SSX 3 is still the best snowboarding game to ever be released on a console. If you have not already played this game to death, and are looking for a top notch alternative sports experience, go find this game today and thank me later. Excellent graphics -- even by today's standards -- beautifully designed courses, and an open-world GTA approach to snowboarding makes this one of my favorite sports games ever.

Currently retailing new on the PS2 for $15 at Amazon, Xbox gamers will have to look a bit harder to find the game new because of its collectible status. The best price "new" I was able to find for the game on Xbox wa $19.99 at Playerschoicevideogames.com -- unfortunately the game was not in stock at the time I checked. But have no fear Xbox owners, it seems pretty easy to snatch this game up for $4-$15 used via Gamestop, eBay or Amazon.

NHL 2K10 (Xbox 360/PS3)

While not as sexy as EA's NHL series, NHL 2K10 is a very enjoyable hockey experience with the right slider tweaks. The game features great presentation, playoff beards, an interactive celebration when you win the Cup, the ability to drive the Zamboni and undeniably fun fighting mechanics. Even better, if you are looking for a single-player-only hockey experience, the dynasty mode in NHL 2K10 skates circles around NHL's Be a GM mode. Again, slider tweaks are necessary for this game -- on the 360 I suggest using DJ NEO's "2K HOCKEY HDTV" slider set located on 2K Share. Also note that updated 2011 rosters can still be found for this game via 2K Share, and a dedicated group of fans seem to be making real-time roster changes as the season progresses.

It's really a shame that this game was overlooked because of NHL 10 because it really has a lot to offer to hockey fans. The game currently is selling new at Amazon for $13.99, and used copies can be found for $5-$10 at various websites.

College Hoops 2K8 (Xbox 360/PS3)

Voted Operation Sports' basketball game of the decade and franchise/dynasty mode of the decade, College Hoops 2K8 is an unbelievable bargain at its current "new" price of $19.99 at multiple retailers. When you realize that the Xbox 360 version has a very accurate 2010-2011 roster update courtesy of OS user Raiderfanbigjun -- lots of love to this guy because this roster is detailed down to individual player tattoos and wristbands -- it's like having a new college basketball released this season. It's difficult to point out anything the game does not do well, and the balanced gameplay is still the best of this generation in my book. Heck, even the graphics and presentation have held up rather well over the last three years.

College Hoops 2K8 is currently the best value in all of sports gaming. Take note, however, that the PS3 version of this game no longer supports the 2K Share function. If you are looking to download the latest roster updates, then the 360 version of the game should be your choice.

Have you found any bargains that are not on this list? What are some of your favorite sports titles that have slipped under the radar?

Christian McLeod is a senior staff writer here at Operation Sports. Born, raised and still living in the great state of Michigan, he has grown accustomed to endless Hoth-like winters while wishing he had a tauntaun to navigate the terrain. Follow him on Twitter @Bumble14_OS, talk to him in our forums via Bumble14, and challenge him on XBL/PSN via the Gamertag Bumble14.