Not every sports game gets a fair shot right out of the gate. Some show up with missing features or just feel unfinished, and critics tear them apart. But here’s the thing, bad reviews don’t always reflect a game’s true potential. Patches roll out, and sometimes, those same games end up being fan favorites.
Check out these five titles that started shaky, but were actually good if you gave them a chance.
1. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 (2015)
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 launch was a mess. Unstable online servers, laggy multiplayer, frame drops, and glitchy physics, all that stuff. Critics couldn’t hold back as Metacritic pegged it at around 64 for PS4, with IGN calling its nostalgic joy “drowned out by faults” like the stomp mechanics ruining grinds.
After a few patches, things got better. The controls smoothed out, collisions made sense, and you could chain massive combos on revamped levels. Hardcore skaters stuck around for the online parks and pro roster. If you pick it up today, it’s still a bargain gem for anyone who’s a skating fan.
2. Blitz: The League II (2008)
Blitz: The League II got slammed for AI hiccups and feeling like a step back from the first title. Critics said it was unpolished and complained about the difficulty spikes, especially compared to Madden.
However, players looking for a rowdy, no-rules football game just loved it. Those bone-crunching hits, over-the-top tackles, and a story-mode penned by an ESPN insider made it stand out. Forums were full of fans raving about late hits and crazy celebrations. For some, it’s the high point of off-the-wall football games out there.
3. NBA Live 09 (2008)
NBA Live 09 didn’t impress critics much, finding itself in the low 70s, mostly because the modes felt shallow and animations were clunky compared to NBA 2K’s dominance. Wii’s All-Play version took extra heat for motion controls feeling awkward.
But EA kept going at it, dropping updates that improved franchise mode and quick play, with Marv Albert’s and Steve Kerr’s commentary really bringing the on-court action to life. On the Wii, it became a go-to for couch parties, easy to pick up, tough to put down.
4. Madden NFL 08 (2007)
Madden NFL 08 scored decently with critics but still caught flak for weird simulation glitches and a confusing weapon system in franchise mode. Some players felt it lacked realism in sim outcomes.
Although once you get the hang of the weapons feature, stars like Randy Moss could totally dominate, and the mix of arcade action and real-time strategy really starts to click. The minigames and Superstar mode kept things interesting, earning cult love from Xbox 360 owners who keep coming back to it for years.
5. Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games (2007)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games didn’t really wow reviewers. Metacritic gave it a 67, and most said it was just a bunch of shallow motion minigames, lacking any true depth. Critics saw it as kind of gimmicky next to Wii Sports.
But honestly, it captured the Beijing Olympics hype with Mario and Sonic facing off in dream races, fueling endless multiplayer sessions. Friends splitting controllers for swordplay or table tennis made it a sleeper hit at parties, proving simple fun really does win out.
