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Top NFL Video Games

Madden NFL 22

The NFL is a globally recognized league with a massive following from fans around the world who tune in each week and make the Super Bowl one of the most watched sports events every year.

As it continues to grow and build a bigger following it has adapted to the preferences of different fans, especially when considering the younger demographic and the next generations of supporters who will keep it building in the future.

Understanding the role video games play in young people’s lives has been key to the NFL in being able to promote its product as well as build an affinity for the game in young people.

Video games can build an enjoyment in the game in a different way from just watching on television. Playing the game from the comfort of home can then make someone become more interested in watching the games or buying the jerseys or even just knowing in real life who has the best NFL odds each season to go on and lift the Super Bowl.

Madden NFL Series

While each issue year on year has reports of minor issues, the game itself is the most popular NFL game and played by millions around the world.

The continued work on graphics, gameplay, and attention to detail on the tactics on offer make it the closest thing to playing the game without having to work up a sweat.

Playing one off matches or tournaments online have helped this game even break into the esports market where players will compete in global tournaments for huge prize funds.

EA Sports have continued to ensure the game is much more immersive with every release and you can start from the beginning and take over a team in career mode, playing each game, carrying out all the back-office roles such as drafting players as organizing contracts.

ESPN NFL 2K5

This was the final instalment of the ESPN NFL series. 2K5 offered incredibly gameplay which competed with any other game of its kind at the time. By offering the first-person mode style of play, this game was an innovator for how similar games were designed and developed.

Its franchise mode with a SportsCenter feature gave it an excellent feel of pure entertainment and made it feel like you were part of the weekends football from your room.

The celebrity game was a bonus with the likes of Carmen Electra and David Arquette amongst others provide trash talk and if you win while playing against them, their stadium became available as a playable venue.

NFL Blitz 2000

This game is considered by some to be the best football arcade game of all time.  This extension of NFL Blitz 99 brought the arcade classic game on to the home games consoles and were available on the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and Dreamcast.

As we love from arcade games, the action was persistent and full throttle while the attention to detail on graphics and realism was left well on the back burner. This wasn’t about competing with the likes of the Madden Series; it was about being a fun game which didn’t take itself too seriously.

NFL Street Series

While it may be a little forgotten these days, NFL street was a trailblazer of sorts. It caught the attention of fans of NFL while also other sports which adapted their games to street style gaming to reach a new audience.

NFL Street was a 7v7 game with funky designs and cool graphics along with real pros in street clothing with wildly entertaining gameplay. Adding style points as a way of boosting your points in a match, also with fun flips and solid character creation, this game changed up the NFL for many who found these games super exciting and a great bridge into the NFL.

Tecmo Superbowl

This NES classic is unforgettable for football fans. It laid the foundations for so many other games with its options to build rosters and control teams from preseason through to the Pro Bowl.

It was a great game to play on the field too, and seeing how it was brought out in 1991, its quality for the time was excellent. It still continues to have a small following now with die-hard gaming fans who enjoy the simplicity of the originals.

Mutant League Football

Taking it a little away from reality, this 90s creation was a Mortal Kombat-esque football game which was released in 1993.

It had a standard NFL style gameplay with quarterback calls, route running and an overhead camera but with an added layer of violence in a bizarre, postapocalyptic style setting with added extras like the ability to place brides to take the game to the full extremes.

It was over the top yet fun and has held on to a real cult following since its release in the early 90s.