Welcome to Modojo, 
The Top Five PSP Sports Games
Written by Señor Cha Cha on Thursday, March 9, 2006
Thanks in large part to the PSP, portable sports gaming is no longer the depressingly watered-down experience it once was. It warms our hearts that there are enough quality PSP sports titles to even be able to list the five best. So list them we did...
For whatever reason, publishers decided to flood the PSP with sports games, and while all of the major sports are represented, a lot of these games really suck. With that being said, here are the top five sports games for PSP. Purchase them...and be merry!
NBA Live 06
Publisher: Electronic Arts
The Senor really despises the consoles versions of this game, but he danced the tango after playing the PSP version. The developers streamlined it for Sony's hand held by removing one of the shooting buttons, and they also put a much bigger emphasis on scoring, so the game has a nice arcade feel to it. Plus, there's also downloadable rosters, the All-Star weekend festivities (three point shootout being my favorite), and an exclusive PSP mini game that challenges you to recreate actual NBA moments. It's by no means pretty and the load times are quite annoying, but NBA Live 06 is the best b-ball game on the PSP.
MLB 06: The Show
Publisher: Sony
When it came to developing a baseball title for PSP, EA dropped the ball, but thankfully, Sony was right there to pick it up with its exquisite MLB 06: The Show. The follow up to last year's incredible PSP launch game, The Show features improved animations, power hitting, an addictive mini game called King of the Diamond, and most importantly, online play. There are a few glitches that keep it from perfection (guys sometimes get stuck, running for all eternity), but they don't pop up enough to raise alarm. If you're in the mood for some portable baseball, MLB 06: The Show is the only game that you need.
Virtua Tennis World Tour
Publisher: Sega
Sega's phenomenal tennis game is just as tasty as a basket of hot wings! Developer Sumo Digital managed to retain the quality of the PS2 and Dreamcast versions while at the same time pumping this pint sized title full of new mini games. It's just a wonderful sports game that is wildly addictive and absolutely gorgeous, and if you don't buy it, I will damn your immortal soul to a restaurant where they serve tennis balls at your face and force you to eat raw underpants. Ole!
SSX On Tour
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Unlike his Eskimo friends, the Senor doesn't live in a cold climate, so he can't strap on his snow boots and go skiing. But thanks to the geniuses at EA (the ones that didn't work on the baseball game for PSP...or FIFA Street 2 for DS...or Arena Football), Senor Cha Cha can at the very least hit the powder in SSX On Tour. Featuring just about everything from the console versions, On Tour is not only option heavy but a visual tour de force that tantalizes the senses and frees the mind! There are plenty of courses to explore, and four player ad hoc is more exciting than finding an onion ring inside of your Burger King fries. The Senor thinks they call them Ringers!
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee
Publisher: Sony
There's only one golf game for the PSP, and it is indeed the best. Sony's Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee has been a PSP darling ever since it first debuted at the Japanese system launch in December 2004, and since that time it has wormed its way into the hearts of PSP fans across the globe. Combining colorful graphics with addictive gameplay, Sony truly scored a hole-in-one with this gem. It's by far one of the best games available for the system, and if you're smart (which the Senor is assuming), you need to purchase it immediately.
