When it comes to console sports games, there are three titles that stand out above the rest. If you want soccer, you get FIFA Soccer; if you want football, you get NCAA Football; and if you want basketball, you get the NBA 2K series. The latest installments of these games are great options for gifts for anyone who loves sports and video games – or for yourself.
FIFA Soccer 12 is a realistic take on playing soccer, which can be refreshing after past years’ complete simplicity. You need to use strategy and develop skills to play defense effectively; just hitting the “tackle” button doesn’t take the ball from an opponent, but tackling in the right way, at the right time, could – or maybe you should fake an injury to get the ball away. On offense, you had better stick to the basics and avoid the flashy plays that pump up the crowd. Those might have worked in previous years, but this shift toward realism demands that you play smart. You can also manage your team in FIFA 12.
NCAA Football 12 continues EA’s high standards for football games. This game has received 4 stars or better from most gaming magazines. It includes the Road to Glory gameplay, in which you focus on a single player as a senior in high school; you get recruited by a college team, and then you play through your college years and aim for the Heisman. There is also the familiar Dynasty gameplay, where you create and play your own team through conferences that you can shape and mold to your preference. EA has also added authentic gameday traditions during a game, so if you play your alma mater, you’ll be reminded of those great times – or maybe times you can look forward to, if you’re planning where you want to go to college. There is also an improved tackling engine.
NBA 2K12 improves everything about 2K11, even the stuff that was good already. The NBA’s Greatest game mode lets you pit classic legends against each other in historical matches, presented in appropriate style. This unlocks both teams, letting you see how Michael Jordan and the Bulls line up against LeBron James and the Heat. 2K12 has more clever AI and gives you more control of the game than previous editions, too.
When it comes to sports games, it’s hard to beat FIFA 12, NCAA Football 12, and NBA 2K12.
