Whether it's the X-Factors, new Face of the Franchise mode, or even signature player animations, Madden NFL 20 feels more true to life than ever before. The lack of advancement in core areas such as presentation and Franchise Mode, however, hold this edition back from being the complete package.

PES 2019 feels as though it continues to tread water for the series. The gameplay experience is brilliant and that alone makes it worthwhile for any soccer fan, but the lackluster feature set and missing licenses complicate its approachability.

FIFA 19 has pulled everything together to become the total package. It offers the expansive feature set and terrific presentation that the series has become known for, while also delivering on more dynamic and satisfying gameplay.

NBA Live 19 seeks to carve out a niche in the sports game genre through its well-designed Career Mode and its accompanying online cooperative and competitive modes that involve the player's created character. That direction will resonate with some but alienate those seeking a more traditional NBA experience, which is severely lacking.

NBA 2K19 is as complete a sports video game as any ever made, and only its aggressive monetization tactics hold it back from being considered one of the greatest. With four different Franchise Mode variants, an enjoyable Story Mode, a rich suite of online features and continued celebration of the history of the league, NBA 2K19 offers something for everyone.

The changes this year might not be exciting on the surface, but the longevity of the game could benefit greatly from what they provide — more strategy in building teams and more control of players on the field.

Despite not having MLB behind it Super Mega Baseball 2 could be considered the best baseball game of 2018.

MLB The Show 18 is still a great game for those passionate about baseball, but the consistency the series has displayed over the past decade has been at least somewhat broken with this new edition. For many, the fantastic gameplay will offset the loss of modes, the lack of advancement in others, and the lingering server struggles. Ultimately, though, it's becoming more clear now than ever that the series is begining to have trouble meeting the heightened expectations now present within the genre.

Perhaps it's fitting that Mutant Football League is a little rough around the edges and has some punishing characteristics. The game is brash, self-aware, and best suited for an older audience. The carnage inflicted is thoroughly entertaining and strategically the game gets better as its nuances become better understood. With "Mutant Football League," the dirtiest trick of all was making fans of the original wait 24 years for the sequel.

While FIFA 18 may not excel in every area and has some issues on the pitch, the game offers great value and something for everyone. The story mode is excellent, career mode is improved, the online suite of features is especially strong and everything surrounding the pitch such as the visuals, presentation and atmosphere work to enhance the moments that make the sport so exciting.

All the pieces are there with Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 but it feels as though many fall a little short of their full potential. PES is still a champion on the pitch where it matters most, but the series continues to fight an uphill battle in terms of licensing and feature set.

NBA 2K18 shines in the areas that matter most to basketball fanatics, through excellent gameplay and presentation, a variety of modes all with considerable depth and its celebration of the league's history.

It may be surprising that it would take an "arcade" mode to round out a simulation-based product, but NHL Threes does just that for NHL 18. While the series is still lacking in some aspects of gameplay and presentation this year, "NHL" achieved something important, by becoming the most appealing edition of the series for an audience that extends beyond just the fanatics of the sport in a very long time.

NBA Live 18 is closer to being a really good game than many would have anticipated, even after a year off for the series. It offers refreshingly simplified and genuinely fun gameplay with an excellent career mode. Deficiencies in other areas of the game hamper its appeal as a total package, making it difficult to recommend as more than an alternative to its competition, but it's still important to recognize this may finally be the turnaround year that NBA Live has been seeking since the current console generation began.

Were it not for "Longshot" and MUT Squads, many veterans of the "Madden" franchise might have had a difficult time discerning last year's edition from this one. Thankfully, those two new modes pay off, making all the effort devoted to them worthwhile. They're joined by subtle but valuable improvements to gameplay that become apparent the more Madden NFL 18 is played.

The Golf Club 2 will resonate better with experienced and patient gamers due to its difficulty, but those who stick with the game will almost certainly feel rewarded for doing so.

With proper support NBA Playgrounds could become a great series in the future. It's just not quite there in this, its rookie season.

It's difficult to reconcile how great the core gameplay is in "MLB The Show 17" with how it can literally waste your time by not recording the results. Should the servers stabilize and become reliable, there isn't a better pure gameplay experience in the genre, and there's also a lot of content and value to be found in the traditional modes as well as its live services. Like the real baseball season, it may be a long grind to get there but the payoff will almost certainly be worth it.

Whether it's laying out big hits or scoring satisfying goals there's some fun to be had with Old Time Hockey. It just takes too long to get to a place of enjoyment, and even then doesn't negate the underlying issues and otherwise lack of content despite a reasonable $12 price point.

Disc Jam has the right formula to become the next big breakout indie game and possibly even succeed as an eSport. The matchmaking will need to improve and new content delivered regularly to prevent it from becoming just a passing fad, but with a high fun factor and strategic nature, despite simplicity and accessibility, Disc Jam delivers.

While 3on3 Freestyle is lacking in many ways, it's still a unique entry on the market that is worth trying out. Given that the game is free, there's really no reason for anyone who may have interest not to do so. There is the potential that new modes, courts and characters through post-release support could make the game more appealing, but the core gameplay may not be good enough for those with current-day expectations of traditional sports games to give it much time to improve.

The Blizzard Mountain expansion is a no-brainer for those who are already deep into Forza Horizon 3. Developer Playground Games has delivered a challenging experience that both broadens and compliments the world of Forza. Given that Blizzard Mountain can't be accessed until having played many hours into the game, however, those who are just starting or haven't reached the point at which it would unlock should wait and see first whether they get there and are still engaged with the game before buying.

There just isn't much fun to be had with "Infinite Air" because of a steep learning-curve that isn't overcome in a reasonable amount of time.

100ft Robot Golf has some clever ideas and an amusing story, but doesn't quite come together as a completely satisfying game because of limited content and some technical issues. Still, it's another example of independent developers taking a chance on unique concepts — and that's something to be celebrated.

FIFA 17 is a well-rounded product offering up tons of official licenses, several different ways to play, including the intriguing story mode, excellent online features and performance, and gameplay that is accessible and enjoyable. It may feel a little too familiar in some areas, but the additions and improvements that were made have helped to reinvigorate a series which began to stagnate in recent years.

Much like the Warriors, one year removed from the title and on the brink of a repeat NBA "2K17" has come up just short of pulling it off. To even have come that close to doing so should still be considered quite an achievement.

It's difficult to imagine how Forza Horizon 3 could have been any better.

If PES 2017 can't overcome licensing shortcomings, then no sports video game can. It delivers a fantastic gameplay experience that is well-balanced and exceedingly rewarding.

While it relies on tried-and-true modes and features, it delivers well on the most important aspects of a modern sports video game simulation. Newcomers to the series will appreciate the variety and depth of options it offers though it's an exceedingly difficult game to grasp at its introduction, while veterans experience mature on-ice gameplay that addresses many issues that were present in preceding iterations while still leaving that all-too-familiar feeling that not a whole lot has really changed.

Madden NFL 17 mostly avoids gimmicks in favor of addressing long-running areas of deficiency in the series. The developers stuck with the progress they made in recent years — aspects hardcore football fans appreciate like penalties and accuracy mattering for quarterbacks — while adding an element of unpredictability that makes the game feel much more like the actual sport.

While Dangerous Golf offers up some fun and an addictive nature, the base concept isn't strong enough to sustain either for an extended period of time. It's something that can function in a diversionary sense as a side-mode in a larger game but crumbles in trying to hold up as a game of its own.

Ultimately, the NASCAR Forza 6 DLC is underwhelming. Perhaps it’s the relatively large price tag ($20 for the content on top of having to own the $60 Forza 6 “proper” game), the lack of NASCAR-specific racing modes, or the lack of compelling NASCAR-based multiplayer to go along with the single-player series of events.

Three years into the reboot of the R.B.I. Baseball series and it's still a completely uninspired mobile-quality game being sold for four times as much on consoles. It's a shame that Xbox owners have now gone several years without a having a legitimate MLB game but it's been even longer since a quality one was released for a Microsoft system.

MLB The Show 16 is yet another excellent game in the series, but only enough has been done to sustain its status as such in coming off similarly received editions. Failing to properly address some long-running core deficiencies and a lack of innovation has prevented the franchise from reaching even greater heights...Instead, Sony San Diego has continued to build on its strengths with visuals and gameplay while further expanding the appeal of Diamond Dynasty. In doing so, The Show may lack some flash but it remains the most steady sports gaming franchise in existence today.

One of the biggest hurdles for sports management sims involves making the games accommodating to newcomers while offering the depth and array of options necessary to satisfy dedicated fans. Pro Basketball 2016 proves to be the most accessible of the sports management games I've played to date. The layout and menus are visually pleasant and present pertinent information where one would expect to find it. Tasks and various options and settings are organized well with the necessary navigation to and from areas easy to complete.

There's never been a game that celebrates the history of a sport quite like Out of the Park Baseball 17. From playing out matchups that until now could only be fantasized about to accurate minor leagues going back nearly 100 years what has been done with the product is remarkable. The full MLB licensing further legitimizes the series as best-in-class. Management-style games definitely aren't for everyone but baseball purists and aspiring general managers alike will find themselves in heaven with Out of the Park Baseball 17.

EA Sports UFC 2 is the culmination of what has been learned the past two years, as the game is far richer in content, has a greater focus on authenticity, and is trying to please fans of the sport over those who couldn't care less about it.

Where Casey Powell Lacrosse 16 succeeds most is in its accessibility. It offers an enjoyable and easy to comprehend gameplay experience that will satisfy not only fans who are passionate about lacrosse but also those who may know very little about the sport.

Madden NFL 16 continues an upward trajectory for the series, just maybe not at the rate that consumers would hope.

NBA 2K16 has raised the bar not just for future iterations of the series but for every sports game developed beyond this point.

Despite cringe-worthy storylines and curious decisions to require a constant internet connection, Need For Speed succeeds for several reasons. Most importantly, the racing is a blast. A wide variety of styles are available, and the ability to quickly adapt and win makes the adventure more than worthwhile. It’s beside the point that Need For Speed doesn’t compare with big-time simulation racers like Forza or Gran Turismo; instead of chasing half-second improvements based on real-world tracks, Need For Speed celebrates driving like a maniac in a big world with no reality to concern yourself with.

Blood Bowl II is a strategy game, far more than it is a sports title. It probably won’t have much crossover appeal to the sports fan. However, for those who are into methodical, turn-based strategic affairs, or anyone who was a fan of the first Blood Bowl video game or its board game, it delivers on exactly what it promises.

For someone playing the series for the first time the commentary will sound pretty good. However those who do so year after year are sick and tired of hearing the same things and not having the emotion from the announcers to match the big moments. It's well past time for SCEA to make a change in this area.

It's a blast to play and it only gets better as skills improve over time and as the competition ramps up. It's a game that everyone, whether they’re big into sports video games or just can’t seem to get into them, will really enjoy.

With gorgeous sound and visuals, immersive and expansive modes for single players, captivating multiplayer options, a rewarding economy, and a staggering amount of cars and tracks, Forza Motorsport 6 delivers a powerful racing experience. It single-handedly makes the Xbox One console appealing, and is a no-brainer “gotta have it” title for those that have Microsoft’s gaming machine in their homes.

I think we’re still one year away from the greatness that 2K is truly capable of. In the meantime, WWE 2K16 will do a pretty good job of being the No. 1 contender.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 is not a complete disaster. The majority of its flaws and maybe even some of the problems could be overlooked if the game were simply more fun to play. However, even had that been the case, THPS5 comes nowhere near justifying a full $60 price tag. It’s disheartening to see a once proud series come to its likely end in such a fashion.

The improvements to FIFA 16 this year are notable in some areas but as a whole it’s starting to feel like the series is getting stagnant, with too much effort being put toward expanding revenue sources rather than delivering innovation that would appeal to a wider audience. Despite that, it's still the most reliable and consistent sports gaming franchise and that holds a lot of weight in the minds of consumers. With FIFA 16, you know you’re playing a really good game, but you might not completely believe it as much as in the past.

The most fun way to play NHL 16 is undoubtedly EA Sports Hockey League, an online cooperative mode that pits you and your friends against rival clubs in monthly championship battles. For years, EASHL was a mainstay for the series, but it was missing from last season’s PS4/Xbox One debut. It returns in a big way, thanks to a more user-friendly way to drop in and play anytime as well as a smart new team-building mechanic.

Soccer supporters have a difficult choice to make this fall between the two, and I’d argue that Pro Evolution offers a more compelling experience in a number of ways.

NBA Live 16 is a fun game to play. That may in itself be an achievement for the series. However it has considerable deficiencies and a disappointing feature set that simply doesn’t measure up to the other major sports gaming franchises. Because it does not offer enough compelling content, and it excels in too few areas, Live 16 remains a tier below the premier sports games on the market today.

Pro Basketball Manager 2016 shows a lot of promise. There are some great ideas built into the game and with some refinements it could be a winner. At a price of $20 it would not be a bad buy, but the series still has a ways to go to become one of the premier management simulators on the market.

It's a stylish, fairly accessible strategy game that incorporates some football principles in a way to create an immediate sense of familiarity. With multiplayer practically dead it's the intriguing Manager mode where the game shines most.