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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

NBA 2K20 is a great game for those who new to the franchise or who have taken some time away from it. The every-year purchaser, however, may not find the same value present as they've come to expect from 2K while stumbling upon familiar reasons for frustration. Despite that, it would be difficult not to recommend "2K20" under almost any circumstance given its authenticity and depth in a number of areas.

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.

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.

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.