Nintendo 64
Ouch. If you though sports gaming was rough with an N64, just look at this year. Though the titles are appearing like rain in the desert, there were a few good titles this year.

All-Star Baseball 2001/Acclaim - Probably the best-playing baseball game on the market, ASB 2001 is one fine baseball simulation. The graphics match the quality of the gameplay. It's your only option, and fortunately it's a good one.

Madden NFL 2001/EA Sports - What can you say? Take your pick - Madden or QB Club. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Mario Tennis/Nintendo - At least the big N is doing its part to keep their system alive. The cartoony Mario Tennis has fun and addictive play that's a snap to pick up.

Excitebike64/Nintendo - A classic rehashed. Aside from last year's Supercross Circuit on the PSX from 989, motocross and supercross games have been pathetic. Nintendo saves face with the wonderful Excitebike64.

San Francisco Rush 2049/Midway - The great arcade game makes its way to the home. With plenty of hidden paths and extreme competition, Rush 2049 is an adrenaline pumping game.

Advice - No, it's not a game. But if you are serious about sports games, I hope you have another medium besides the N64. Expand those horizons. The best thing about advice? It's free.

Dreamcast

NFL2K1/Sega - The best console football game on the planet. The atmosphere beats out the incredible NCAA Football 2001 from EA. That's saying something. Great AI makes this a game for the ages. Throw in intense online play against a complete stranger and you've got a game for two ages. It's that good.

NBA2K1/Sega - While the gameplay is mostly intact from last year's NBA2K, the online component makes this game yet another keeper. In addition, the game features classic players from the past. Now you can put Russell up against Shaq and see who's best. The 2-on-2 (or 3-on-3 and 4-on-4) options make this game an even better buy.

NHL2K/Sega - Sure it game out way back at the beginning of the year, but this game is the best hockey sim around. The pace is perfect. Its only flaw comes from tough-playing goalies. If you need a hockey fix, this is the only place you'll get it on the Dreamcast.

Virtua Tennis/Sega - One word: Buy. Tennis was never so easy. The incredibly addictive gameplay will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning. The arcade translation is nearly perfect, and the inclusion of unique mini-games in the career mode makes Virtua Tennis a classic.

Striker Pro 2000/Infogrames - Soccer has been weak so far on the Dreamcast. Fortunately, Striker Pro 2000 is a nice footy package. Playing similarly to the ISS series, Striker Pro is more sim than arcade in play.

Ferrari 355/Sega - Whoa! F355 chews Gran Turismo and spits it out. If you are looking for a serious driving simulation, look no further. This is the absolute finest driving simulation on any console. It's you against 7 other similarly performing Ferraris. If you take the time to learn how to drive it, you'll regard this game as the best driving game you've ever played.

Ultimate Fighting Championship/Crave - Why no wrasslin' titles yet? Wrasslin' ain't no sport. It's all acting. UFC guys, on the other hand, are tough. Get in the octagon in this licensed game. The simple controls let you command a hybrid boxing/wrestling game.

Sega GT/Sega - Sega's answer to Sony's Gran Turismo, Sega GT does a fine job at recreating the GT experience. While some of the physics may be suspect at times, there's no denying that this game has the depth to keep you playing for hours on end.

San Francisco Rush 2049/Midway - While Rush 2049 looks good on the N64, it looks fabulous on the Dreamcast. With near arcade quality graphics, the fast-paced racing is captured fully. One of the best arcade racers on the Dreamcast.

Test Drive Le Mans/Infogrames - The best bargain in this whole list. At only $30 new, Le Mans is addictive due to its simple handling and intense racing. The graphics are nothing short of spectacular, and the sound puts you right smack dab in the field of the race. For the strong, the game features a full 24-hour race (fortunately you can save during pit stops). While not the best driving sim, this game ranks near the top in racing games.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 or 2/Activision - Both game out this year, and either will fill your skateboarding fix. What more can be said about this game that hasn't already been said?

Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX/Acclaim - Just like the PlayStation version, only prettier.

Jet Grind Radio/Sega -While not a direct competitor to Hawk, this skateboarding game is fun with a capital "F." Avoid the law as you spray paint graffiti across the city.

Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2/Crave - The sequel to the sleeper launch hit comes loaded with more miles of highway than you can possibly imagine. With the same play as last year's version, TXR2 is more of the same. Just more of it.

PlayStation 2
Lucky enough to get a PS2 already or are expecting one as a gift? Well, pat yourself on the back. Unfortunately, with any new system there is a general lack of titles. Sports fans, however, can still find a few titles to cherish.

Madden 2001/EA Sports - Madden has the best visuals you'll see on a console football game. The game is loaded with options and retains the excellent franchise mode of the PlayStation version. While the passing game is a little too easy, it makes for a fast-paced contest. The only sensible choice for a football title on the PS2.

NHL 2001/EA Sports - All we can say is that the PS2 version is much better than the PSX version. The game plays with a fairly realistic pace. The game lacks a franchise mode, and sim fans may be put off by the arcade nature of the game. Nonetheless, it's pretty fun.

SSX/EA Sports - One of the must-buy titles for the PS2, this snowboarder mixes speed with somersaults. To make it down the course effectively, you'll have to perform outrageous stunts. The more outrageous the trick, the faster you go. You need to bring your "A" game if you want to succeed here.

Ready 2 Rumble Round 2/Midway - Making his first appearance on the PS2, Afro Thunder comes at you with all his mates for some over-the-top arcade boxing action. With more depth and difficulty than the initial PSX version of the game, this graphical beauty should hold you over until sims like Knockout Kings arrive.

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