Electronic Arts and 2K Games are two household names that are synonymous with gaming. Their electrifying sports games are among the most enjoyable of all time.
Competitive by nature, the sports genre made a seamless transition to video games. Sports video games have been around since the '50s, but it wasn't until EA Sports came about that they were put on the map. Classics like NHL '94 propelled sports gaming further, yet 2K Sports has dominated the online era. With both EA Sports and 2K Sports having positives, it raises the question of who makes better sports games? Let's get to it!
10 Experience (EA Sports Is Better)
Electronic Arts, the parent company of EA Sports, was founded in 1982 in San Mateo, California, United States. They were in the biz of publishing sports games for several years before founding the EA Sports division.
EA Sports's earliest franchises include Madden and NHL. Their sports games have come a long way since inception, integrating better free-flow motions, improved sound effects, and all-around better gameplay. 2K Sports was founded in 2005, years after EA Sports emerged. EA Sports wins this category for being established and not relatively new to the block like 2K Sports.
9 Climbing To New Heights (2K Games Is Better)
Looking at 2K Sports as a whole and not their recent years, it's evident that 2K is pushing innovation while EA Sports is playing the catch-up game. NBA 2K's MyCareer mode is smartly designed, despite having irksome microtransactions.
Player customization has made the difference for 2K Sports, while EA Sports is falling behind.
8 2K Sports Is Inconsistent (EA Sports Is Better)
The late 2010s saw the most prosperous years for 2K Sports. The WWE 2K franchise and NBA 2K were both at the top of their game, introducing customization like never seen before.
WWE 2K allows you to create wrestlers and design custom entrances for them. At the same time, the game is in a state of disarray. Timing counters is difficult because of bad hit detection. EA Sports is by no means perfect, but they've been more consistent than 2K Sports overall.
7 NBA Basketball (2K Games Is Better)
Basketball is one sport that both EA Sports and 2K Sports are involved in. Naturally, we have to do a head-to-head comparison to see which franchise is better. Time and time again, NBA 2K comes out on top.
It is a beacon for basketball games, and EA Sports is making NBA Live look more and more like NBA 2K. The introduction of NBA Live's The One mode was a confirmation that EA Sports is aspiring to 2K Sports. This pattern explains why 2K Sports is the leader in basketball.
6 Reputable Company (Tie)
With both companies having a track record of delivering exhilarating sports games, they are each reputable.
They have a long history of success in sports video games, which is why this category could only result in a tie.
5 Attempts More Sports (EA Sports Is Better)
While 2K Sports has reduced the number of sports they are involved in, EA Sports has built on less popular sports like UFC. EA Sports makes sports video games such as NFL, NBA, NHL, FIFA, and UFC.
2K Sports makes WWE and NBA games, and will soon release a PGA game. The clear winner for this category is EA Sports.
4 Trendsetter (2K Games Is Better)
This point summarizes what has been a recurring theme throughout this comparison article. 2K Sports is a trendsetting company that is not afraid to introduce new gameplay mechanics and game modes for players to relish.
They might not be the most consistent, but it's a bullseye when they hit the mark. We can put up with their unstable servers and pay-to-win formula because of unparalleled gameplay.
3 Polish (EA Sports Is Better)
2K Sports has pumped out under-budgeted ambitious game after game, which is beginning to get on the nerves of fans. EA Sports may not take as many chances, but they have more quality overall. Their servers are generally stable, and the gameplay is almost flawless nowadays.
There was a time when EA Sports' NHL franchise had puck passing issues with their online modes, but the problem was quickly resolved in later installments. Franchises like Madden are consistent, which is why we love EA Sports.
2 Online (2K Sports Is Better)
In recent years, EA Sports has played catch-up with their online gameplay. 2K Sports can be criticized for their unstable servers, but what they do correctly, they do well.
MyPark and MyTeam modes in NBA 2K are two phenomenal modes. This could have resulted in a tie, but for 2K Sports' ingenuity, we gave them the edge.
1 Winner (EA Sports Is Better)
The current state of 2K Sports is what few could have predicted. After several years of being the leading sports video game company, franchises like WWE 2K and NBA 2K are worsening. It's a sizeable company that is only managing two sports game franchises, although they are adding PGA Tour 2K in August 2020. The mistakes they've made with WWE 2K20 are inexcusable. Bugs, crashes, and monotonous MyCareer writing have tarnished the WWE 2K name.
EA Sports was a less reputable sports video game company that has since redeemed itself with consistent hits. The NHL franchise has ONES and THREES modes for casual hockey players. World of CHEL is an NHL mode that allows players to customize characters, gain XP, and compete against friends. As long as EA Sports continues to introduce new modes for all players, we can be confident in their direction. Looking at the current state of things, it's evident that EA Sports is stepping up to the plate.