Top Five Video Game Athletes Of This Generation

As a Gen Z-er myself, video games have always been a massive part of my life and the culture of society around me. If I had the choice, I would play sports themed video games everyday of the week and twice on Sundays, and to hell with the rest of ‘em.

The competition between you and a friend battling it out, all the random bullshit glitches that cause you to lose a game, the late night grinds working to upgrade your MyPlayer -- sports videogames are a unique phenomena I have never taken for granted.

Of course other than the bullshit glitches I mentioned above, there were some bullshit characters in most of these games that would make your life miserable anytime you had to face them.

It seems like no matter what sport or what year the game is made, there is always one or two characters considered to be a cheat code for users to control. Of course you would expect the big name athletes such as LeBron James, Lionel Messi and Tom Brady to be in the mix, and they are, but every year it seems like ONE character cracks the code and even the game developers are perplexed by their in-game abilities.

Sports video games began back in 1958 with the creation of “Tennis For Two,” so naming all of the dominant digital athletes over the last six and a half decades would be quite the task. Which is exactly why I’ve decided to narrow down the field to include only games Gen Z’ers would have/could have experienced.

Without further adieu, here are the top five video game athletes of this generation:

5. LeBron James (NBA 2k14)

There are cases to be made that EVERY single LeBron James video game character to exist could make this list, but his 2k14 character is in a world of its own. Similar to Michael Jordan in 2k11, LeBron dominated every aspect the game of basketball has to offer.

They don’t just give out 99 overalls to anybody. If you were ever LeBron’s teammate in MyPlayer, good luck padding your stats. I tried that, thought it would be cool to play with LeBron, ended up having my virtual coach basically tell me to shut up and pass the ball to LeBron.

Anyone with common sense would have banned him from being used in competitive games considering he pulls off some shots that I’m sure not even Ronnie2k could explain.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo (FIFA 14)

FIFA 14 is where my love for soccer video games blossomed, but also where my endless rage began thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo. You can debate me all you want, but in reality Lionel Messi is far and away the best footballer in the world, but for some reason Ronaldo’s video game avatar is always levels above the rest.

His FIFA 14 92 overall card featured an excruciating 93 pace, 90 Shooting and 91 Dribbling. Literally just give him the ball, do a few skill moves here and there and then boom, an easy 20-foot screamer into the back of the net.

I still have nightmares from playing against Real Madrid and Portugal in ranked seasons, no matter how good of defenders the team I used had, NO ONE could execute a proper slide tackle on the portugese winger.

If you were ever lucky enough to pack Ronaldo in Ultimate Team, you were a rich man my friend.

3. Sunday Tiger Woods (Tiger Woods PGA Tour)

This one is somewhat self explanatory. Tiger’s name is literally in the title of the game, so it’s to be expected that his virtual character is just as unstoppable as Tiger was back in his prime.

Personally, my experience playing Tiger’s PGA Tour game is somewhat limited, but from what I remember -- Jesus Christ is this guy impossible to beat on a Sunday. You could be having a perfect game shooting eagles left and right and before you know it Tiger would have somehow, someway shot all albatrosses to come out on top.

I may be exaggerating a bit, but Tiger’s 2008 video game character was truly one for the ages.

2. Michael Jordan (NBA 2k11)

In the past, Michael Jordan had some issues with allowing his likeness to be represented in video games, but that all came to an end around a decade ago when the legend graced the cover of NBA 2k11.

2k11 was heavily focused on the nostalgic and historic aspects of the league and gave users the option to play as stars from the past such as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal in moments from their actual careers.

Because this game was so historically accurate, so were Jordan’s stats. If you EVER came across Jordan in Black Top, you were toast. Literally every aspect of the game - shooting, passing, rebounding, stealing, blocking - I couldn’t and still can’t fathom how overpowered this man was.

Granted I’m sure this is how Jordan’s competitors felt in real life back in the ‘80s, but as an 11 year old trying to win on 2k Jordan was a huge nail in the road.

1. Pablo Sanchez (Backyard Baseball)

This one might be a longshot for generation Z, but playing backyard baseball is how many sports gamers such as myself first started. If you ever played this game, then you know why Sanchez is No. 1 on the list.

The man, the myth, the legend Pablo Sanchez was an absolute unit on a baseball field. 4/4 on hitting stats, 4/4 on baserunning, 3/4 on pitching and 4/4 on fielding -- what a machine. I’ll never forget the adrenaline rush I got everytime Sanchez stepped up to the plate because nine times out of ten he was going yard.

Relative to their competition, I don’t think any sports video game character in the history of sports video game characters is as dominant as Pablo Sanchez was in Backyard Baseball.