Old sports video games bring back memories. But it’s not totally because of the classic gameplay or terrible graphics. If there’s one aspect of these games that brings on those nostalgic feels, it’s the soundtracks.
Here’s a list of some of the best sports game soundtracks ever, and obviously there’s some personal bias involved. I’m sure I left some of this list (because hey, I haven’t played every sports video game ever made), but these are some that immediately come to mind. Enjoy your trip down memory lane.
NHL 2004
Probably the unanimous pick amongst NHL video game fans for the best soundtrack in the franchise’s history. Brand New, Avenged Sevenfold, Alien Ant Farm, and others combined for what ended up being one of the most memorable soundtracks ever.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
It’s impossible to create a list like this without including Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. In fact, it’s difficult to create a list like this without including every single game from the franchise. To appreciate this game, all you have to do is listen to the song below. You’re welcome.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
Same thing as above, except this one included classics from Rage Against the Machine and Powerman 5000 that made you want to drink an endless supply of Mountain Dew and do 900s with Rune Glifberg.
Tony Hawk’s Underground
A few years later, Tony Hawk’s Underground came out and revolutionized the franchise. The soundtrack was HUGE, and included jams like this Jurassic 5 one that makes me want to punch Eric Sparrow in the face all over again (if you didn’t play the game, you wouldn’t get that reference. Loser.)
MVP Baseball 2005
Still the undisputed king of baseball video games, MVP Baseball 2005’s soundtrack was the perfect mix of fun, nostalgic, and extremely cheesy. The game came out after the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years, so it included their anthem “Tessie” along with this great one from The Bravery.
MLB 07: The Show
Wolfmother, Fall Out Boy, Switchfoot, and Alexisonfire headlined this awesome soundtrack. The standout track for me, though, was Loud Pipes by Ratatat (below).
MLB 08: The Show
’08’s soundtrack was even better than ’07, and I seriously think it’s solely because of Award Tour by A Tribe Called Quest (below). The soundtrack also included some great ones from Hot Hot Heat and Queens of the Stone Age, along with War’s “Low Rider”.
Madden NFL 2003
You knew there would be multiple Madden games on this list. Madden 2003 might’ve been the best of the bunch, as we should all be able to agree that “Party Hard” by Andrew W.K. (below) is the best Madden song of all time. The soundtrack also had “The Anthem” by Good Charlotte which speaks for itself.
Madden NFL 2005
The soundtrack as a whole was pretty great, but having “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand (below) was enough for it to make this list.
Madden NFL 09
Ok, ok, after this we’re done with Madden. We just couldn’t leave out Madden 09 which had another one of the best soundtracks in the franchise’s history (which is saying a lot).
NBA Live 04
IT HAD CHINGY! CHINGY! As if that wasn’t enough, it had Sean Paul, Black Eyed Peas, and Outkast amongst others.
NBA 2K11
It doesn’t get much better than NBA 2K11’s track list. It somehow combined Two Door Cinema Club, Drake, Kid Cudi, and even Metta World Peace into one soundtrack and it worked to perfection. A personal favorite is “Little By Little” by The Chicharones, which is a nostalgic tune for anyone who played the game as much as I did.
