Growing up, I played a ton of sports games. Hours spent competing against friends, building insane rosters, and imagining I was on the field with some of these players.
But as I look back on these fond memories, I realize I don’t remember as many of the decisive points, plays or saves as I thought I would. What I do remember is their soundtracks.
Every sports series had its own unique blend when it came to their playlists. That taste helped them stand out from each other, providing loyal fans with a mix of genres that introduced them to new music while also banking on the assumed interests of the community.
And to some of these fans (myself included) the soundtrack was make-or-break in deciding if the game was an all-time hit. Heck, I’m playing the game all day, they better put some catchy songs on their playlists, ya know?
So this got me thinking, what is your favorite sports game soundtrack? Here are some that came to my mind.
MLB 2K13
The last of its kind. 2K stopped making baseball games after this one, but they went out swinging with this soundtrack. Featuring a bunch of alternative music from bands like Passion Pit and Peter Bjorn and John, the songs shaped their young audiences’ music tastes. Is it fair to say that the alternative genre blew up to what it is today because of this soundtrack? Probably not.
But I’m going to say it anyway.
Fifa 15
Not very often can you ask a mass audience of video gamers what their favorite installment of a series is and they all collectively agree on one – this is one of those few cases. Fans fawn over this mid-2010’s soccer game and the music is a big reason why. Featuring artists like Avicii, Saint Motel, Foster The People, and Vance Joy, the music captured the cultural era perfectly.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater Series
I don’t know if there’s any sports soundtrack that tops this one. Each song felt like it belonged with the others on a a complete album and was the perfect choice for the game. By that, I mean I felt like I was skating down the California Pacific Coast Highway with my iPod Nano in my pocket and the breeze in my hair. Underground labels like Epitaph, Fat Wreck Chords, Rhymesayers, and Nitro records remain on the map because THPS put them their twenty-plus years ago!
So what do you think? Which sports game ranks up there with the best soundtracks of all time? Do you have your own playlist? Share your reactions in the comments below or join in the conversation on Boss Rush Network’s Discord and Facebook.
Featured Image: MVP Mods
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The Boss Rush Podcast – The Boss Rush Podcast is the flagship podcast of Boss Rush Media and the Boss Rush Network. Each week, Corey, Stephanie, LeRon, and their friends from around the internet come together with other creators, developers, and industry veterans to talk about games they’ve been playing, discuss video game and entertainment based topics, and answer questions solicited on social media and the community Discord.
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