PlayStation LifeStyle’s “Best of 2015 Game Awards” continue! Last Friday brought about the battle of the best PS Vita titles, with one coming out on top as the best PS Vita game of 2015. Today we’ll be naming the best sports game of 2015.
If there’s one thing you can be sure of each year, it’s that there will be plenty of sports titles for fans to pick up and enjoy. In a genre often criticized as being too saturated, it can be difficult for sports games to rise above the competition with a unique offering.
Check out the gallery below for our nominees for the best sports game of 2015, and of course, the winner, too. In case you’re wondering, the winner is decided by the staff (staff votes) and not just based on the game with the highest review score.
Do you agree with our pick? Which game is your best sports title for 2015? Stay tuned for more awards coming each day this week!
Best Sports Game 2015 (PSLS Awards)
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Best Sports Game 2015
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Madden NFL 16
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: EA Tiburon
"EA took Madden NFL 15 and did quite a bit more than just add a roster update for Madden NFL 16. While the graphics for ’15 were already top notch, adding in a bunch of new HD scans improved on the appearances of just about every player in the game for ’16. This is a gorgeous game with lifelike animations for everything from diving for a touchdown to a spectacular catch. Stadiums are true to life with crowds that look alive and are varied enough that they don’t look like cardboard cut outs filling the stands, with time and weather variations that add to the overall look and feel of the game.
Madden NFL 16 truly is more than just a roster update as EA added enough new features to kick the game up a notch to another level."
(Read full review here)
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MLB 15: The Show
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: SCE San Diego Studio
"MLB 15: The Show is a wonderful game. Now that baseball is in swing, this virtual experience will complement my summer of watching games perfectly. I know that. I also know that the game does suffer from that fresh-coat-of-paint sports game syndrome. If you like the subtle changes applied, you’ll be fine with this entry, if it’s not enough for you then I imagine you’ll be yelling about how this should have been a free roster update.
Now, if you’re new to PlayStation with the PlayStation 4 and you love baseball? Get MLB 15: The Show. There isn’t much to complain about for new players at all."
(Read full review here)
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NHL 16
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: EA Canada
"NHL 16 is a huge step towards restoring faith in EA Canada and EA Sports. The game saw huge improvements across the board, with Be a Pro, Be a GM, and EASHL all being better entries than in previous years. It’s not without its issue, as menu and online play lag is somewhat frequent and the added practice mode could use so much more attention, but the product is as crisp as they come. NHL is back with a vengeance and NHL 16 is one hockey game that you can’t afford to pass up. So grab your stick, lace up your skates, and get out there for your shift."
(Read full review here)
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NBA 2K16
Publisher: 2K Sports
Developer: Visual Concepts
"While there are certainly some stumbling points, NBA 2K16 is another great entry in 2K’s series. Livin’ Da Dream may feature more cutscenes than Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, but it’s an interesting way to present a career mode. Visual Concepts is not afraid to take risks, and most of them have paid off in NBA 2K16."
(Read full review here)
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PES 16
Publisher: Konami
Developer: PES Productions
"Thanks to the smooth, physical gameplay, the amazing animations, and the various and strategic game modes, PES 16 is easily the best title in the franchise. To go one step further — PES 16 is likely one of the best sport games out today, and despite a few minor annoyances, it is a must buy for anyone with even a remote interest in soccer."
(Read full review here)
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And the winner is...
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Winner - NBA 2K16
