Sports Video Games Zeke Can't Wait to Play in 2017

Written by Zeke Perez Jr.

​The first sports video game I ever owned was NFL Quarterback Club ’99 for my Nintendo 64. I was blown away by how realistic it was, marveling at seeing the players’ breath in cold weather games and similar small details. At the time, I thought that game marked the pinnacle of video game graphics. Little did I know…
 
I followed NFL Quarterback Club up with Ken Griffey Jr.’s Slugfest, another instant classic. I logged countless hours on that game; swinging for the fences in the Home Run Derby, creating teams and players, running a franchise through a full season.
 
Following those two games, I was hooked. I had played plenty of sports games before at friend's houses, everything from Madden ’95 to NBA Jam. But having my very own was different. It felt more personal. I credit much of my intimate knowledge of sports to what I learned from playing games. Play calling, roster management, situational decision-making, you name it. I soaked it all up.
 
A sports video game of some kind was a perennial wish on my Christmas list. These days, nothing has changed. Each year I find myself adding a couple of the newest sports games to my collection. Here are some of the games, big and small, that I’m most excited to play in 2017. 

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​Old Time Hockey  (PS4, Xbox One, Steam)
Ohhhh…. Yeaaahhhh…. Full of bench-clearing brawls, stick fights, and profane humor, this rambunctious hockey title dives into the wild side of the sport.
 
The graphics and controls of the game throw things back to the arcade style of NHL ’94. The game is centered on the appropriately named Bush League, where the fights, jerseys, and players themselves wind the clock back even further to the hockey world of the ‘70s. Expect to see a lack of helmets, awesome facial hair, silly names, and vintage jerseys.
 
Built around an enjoyable exhibition mode, Old Time Hockey looks to be the ultimate pick-up-and-play sports title of 2017. For players seeking an even more relaxed style of play, it boasts a “Beer Mode” with a one-handed control scheme, so you can literally play with a controller in one hand and a cold brew in the other. For those who like a little more depth and variety in their sports games, it features a “Story Mode” that’s sure to be hilarious, as you follow a struggling team “in the late 1970s amidst a poor economic climate and during the peak of the disco era in the United States”.
 
With Old Time Hockey, the folks at V7 Entertainment are bringing back memories of the glory days of couch gaming. It definitely has a little something for everyone. Be sure to look for it in early 2017!

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​MLB: The Show 17 (PS4)
In recent years, the MLB: The Show franchise has taken the top spot as the best baseball game out there. That looks to remain the case with this year’s title, which is set to combine nostalgia, expansive game modes, and good quality play.
 
The nostalgia factor is definitely a hook for me this year. Fresh off of his 2016 Hall of Fame induction, the MLB: The Show 17 cover star is none other than “The Kid”, Ken Griffey Jr. Every little leaguer and sandlot player in the ‘90s tried at some point to mimic Griffey’s legendary swing. Every sports gamer in the ‘90s played one of Griffey’s SNES or N64 titles. It’s really nice seeing him back on the cover and as a playable character in the game. The game will also scratch that nostalgic itch with new legendary players, classic ballparks, and a “Retro Mode”, featuring arcade-style presentation and controls.
 
The Show is well known for its namesake “Road to the Show” game mode, where you start as a created and deeply customizable prospect working your way towards the majors. This includes everything from scout showcase days and the draft to minor league ball. From early previews, it looks as if this year’s iteration of RTTS will add a deeper story and more of an RPG feel in the player’s decision making. The game also looks to build on and polish its “Franchise Mode” and its popular “Diamond Dynasty” mode, in which you collect player cards to build a fantasy team.
 
The Show returns with what should be a very complete and enjoyable game. Pick it up on March 28th. 

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​Mario Sports Superstars (Nintendo 3DS)
It has always been a blast imagining which citizens of Mushroom Kingdom would excel at which sports based on their size, speed, and other abilities. Nintendo’s Mario sports titles have always been tons of fun because of the ability to play out those dreams. Over the years, we’ve seen Mario and his squad try their hand at everything from golf and tennis to baseball and Olympic events.
 
2017 brings us a new title with Mario Sports Superstars. The game will feature five sports: baseball, tennis, golf, soccer, and horse racing. While we’ve seen most of these in other games, Mario Sports Superstars will provide expanded play. For example, soccer game Super Mario Strikers was a five-on-five game. The soccer in Superstars will be a full 11-on-11 experience.
 
In addition to single-player and tournament modes, Superstars will have local and online multiplayer. Available Spring 2017. 

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Madden 18, NHL 18, NBA 2K18 (PS4, Xbox One)
All three of these series are starting to hit their stride on this generation of consoles. Each game’s engine is pretty solid in terms of physics and controls. Game modes are plentiful and getting continuously fleshed out. Player, stadium, and other visual details are more perfected than they have ever been. Just a few more tweaks and these three games will be just about perfect.
 
Since all three of these titles drop in the second half of the year, it’s still a bit too early to know exactly which new features and game modes will be added to this year’s editions. Nonetheless, they all make the list of games to look forward to. Stay tuned for full previews of these games later in 2017!

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