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.