Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts has been a major player in the video game industry for 40+ years. While controversial at times, there’s no denying the impact of EA on the gaming industry. With that in mind, we’ll list some of the best EA games of all time.
These games are ranked in no particular order; we’re just celebrating the best of the best EA Games has had to offer. We’ve considered the longevity of the games, their popularity among millions of gamers, feedback from critics and users, and just the general awesomeness of each title.
Given that some EA games have delivered awesome results multiple times, we’ve also lumped some franchises together while mentioning the best game in those series.
This is an evolving list, so don’t be afraid to sound off in the comments section if we missed your favorite title. As much as we’d love to, we can’t talk about them all.
Let’s begin!
The Madden Franchise Is One of the Most Popular in Gaming
It’s impossible to discuss the best EA games without discussing EA Sports. The headliner here is the Madden NFL franchise. While it recently lost some of its luster, these games met the hype back in the day.
Madden NFL delivered a legitimate and authentic NFL experience. At its peak, games were competitive and entertaining. Fans didn’t always care about the next big feature or new systems; they just wanted to play football.
The franchise’s high point is, arguably, Madden NFL 2004. Yes, that’s the one with Mike Vick on the cover. He was a cheat code in-game, but playing with him was also incredibly entertaining.
The FIFA Franchise May Be the Most Popular in the World
Depending on who you ask, FIFA is an even bigger franchise for EA Sports. Like Madden, FIFA has seen far better days. You can make the argument that its drop-off is even more extreme.
Still, there’s no denying how great the best FIFA games are. Delivering an authentic, action-packed experience of the beautiful game provides fond memories for the franchise’s fans. Fifa was a juggernaut and easily one of the best EA games during its heyday.
FIFA even received mainstream buzz when former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson offered $100 money matches in the game a few years ago.
EA is moving on from its partnership with FIFA; EA Sports FC will be the future title for the series.
Skate Proved That There Was Room For More Skateboarding Games
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater wasn’t the only game in town. 2007’s Skate gave players a new way to play a skateboarding game.
The franchise’s main hook is the “flick it” control system, which incorporates player controls and an in-game physicals engine to deliver a new way to play games in the genre. While the original wasn’t perfect, it was still enjoyable and addictive enough to breathe new life into skateboarding games.
Follow-up releases leaned in on delivering a more authentic skateboarding experience, which came at a cost to the more casual gaming crowd. Still, Skate developed a cult following, helping to make way for its return in the near future.
The Sims Are Some of the Best EA Games
It’s been a common theme to talk about franchises on our list of the best EA games. There’s a good reason: these franchises have had a lasting impact on the video game industry.
Arguably, few franchises, if any, have had the same impact as The Sims. Four mainline games, several spin-offs, and countless expansion packs have helped create this life-simulation series.
Sticking with the motto of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” The Sims has improved with each mainline release. Core games have kept a quality life-simulation experience intact.
Where things get crazy and experimental are the expansions. EA and Maxis aren’t afraid to get wild with some crazy themes and ideas. Remarkably, they all work well together, thanks to the glue that is the base game holding everything together.
It Takes Two Is A Legendary Cooperative Platforming Experience
One of the best co-op games of all time is also one of the best EA games ever. From Josef Fares and Hazelight Studios, It Takes Two is an action platformer to be played with a friend.
Fares has already excelled in co-op gaming with Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and No Way Out. It may seem silly to call It Takes Two his magnum opus, but it’s just that darn good.
A perfect combination of style and substance helps elevate It Takes Two to greatness. A wonderful story, lovely characters, and beautiful environments mesh well with the genius-level design and exciting platforming.
This is the type of game you’d expect from Nintendo as a publisher, not EA, yet here we are!
NHL 94 Is The Best Sports Game Ever Made
You could argue for the entire NHL franchise, but NHL 94 is undoubtedly one of the best EA games. It’s also one of the best sports games across all consoles.
Few other sports games have replicated what NHL 94 could do. The introduction of the one-timer shot brought an incredible pace and action to the game. The combination of arcade-style excitement and strategic simulation is on point.
This is only enhanced by the electric atmosphere that exists in the arena. You can feel the crowd’s intensity as they hang on to every moment. The organ starts blaring, and you realize these next moments are crucial.
It’s incredibly easy to get lost in NHL 94 even today, nearly 30 years after its release.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005) Is One of the Best in the Series
The Need for Speed franchise has seen its ups and downs. One of its high points was 2005’s Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The moniker was so successful that it was rebooted with the same title in 2012.
Most Wanted delivered the high-speed arcade-style racing and upgradable licensed cars the franchise is known for. The expansion of police pursuit as a full-blown feature is the game’s selling point. This builds upon a groundwork set in previous titles.
You’re no longer simply racing against opposing drivers; you’re also racing away from the cops. Combining a beloved and successful racing formula with this new gameplay twist helps deliver one of the best EA games ever.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted is everything we ever wanted from the franchise. With rumors of Need for Speed’s return, here’s to hoping that a new entry can deliver on what we’ve come to expect from this top-notch series.
Dead Space Is One of the Scariest and Best EA Games
One of the hallmarks of the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 console generation was new IPs. New high-definition hardware helped usher in new characters and experiences like never before. Dead Space is one of those new franchises. From its first outing, it established itself as one of the best EA games ever created.
At a time when survival horror was trending more and more to action set-pieces, Dead Space took things back to its roots. The gameplay does a great job balancing old-school and new-school design.
What helps push Dead Space over the top is the game’s design, particularly the sound and atmosphere. They work to put the player on edge, delivering tension that matches the pace of the gameplay.
Dead Space is poised to re-establish itself as one of the greatest games of all time with a remake on the way.
MVP Baseball 2004 Is Widely Regarded as the Best Baseball Game
In the same vein as its NHL companion a decade prior. MVP Baseball 2004 is a shining example of a developer perfecting a sports game. Everything works; the gameplay, presentation, and atmosphere are all top-notch.
It’s easy to argue that sometimes sports games lose their charm as time passes. While modern MLB games are far more advanced and innovative, sometimes you can’t help but wonder what’s missing. It’s almost as if there’s an uncanny valley when it comes to sports games. As developers attempt to make the game replicate a broadcast experience, we reach a point where it’s trying too hard.
MVP Baseball 2004 is the peak before the valley. Its visuals and commentary are dated, but they work well enough and, arguably, get the job done better than the modern game; I can’t tell you how many times I have to hear the same banter repeated repeatedly.
When it comes to the actual sport of baseball, it’s no contest. MVP Baseball 2004 is a home run.
Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath Is A Lost Gem
One of the best Xbox games is also one of the best EA games.
Despite a lack of sales, Stranger’s Wrath has become a cult classic with several re-releases. It combines the unique style and flair of the Oddworld franchise with satisfying western-action gameplay.
It may not have the marquee billing as other games on this list, but it’s still worthy of a spot and deserves your attention.
Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning Is A Great 2010s Action RPG
As time passes, Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning continues to be controversial. Most of it is centered on its developer; the former Curt Schilling owned 38 Studios. It makes you wonder what could have been truly possible without the studio’s issues, as Amular somehow defies the odds and is a good, if not great, action RPG experience.
The one knockback the game has is its reliance on conventional genre tropes. This isn’t breaking barriers like BioWare releases or Bethesda games have. Instead, Kingdoms of Amular focuses on providing a comfortable, enjoyable experience. It knows its role and does it well.
Several years later, THQ Nordic acquired the game’s rights and released a remaster. While the gameplay feels like a relic of its time, it’s still a blast to play. With improved visuals and continued support for future DLC releases and content patches, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is the perfect game to pick up while on sale.
SSX 3 Is A Classic Snowboarding Game From EA Big That Desperately Needs A Remaster
For many, SSX: Tricky is not just one of the best EA games ever but also the best snowboarding game ever made. What makes SSX 3 even more special than its predecessor? An inviting, open world of snowboarding paradise.
SSX 3 is a definitive sequel in every meaning of the word. EA knew what worked with SSX; instead of changing the formula, they made the game even bigger.
The expanded trick system added plenty of personality and flair. It ties in well with the sheer amount of snowboarding terrain available at your disposal.
In the nearly 20 years since its release, no snowboarding game has matched SSX 3. So, why not just remaster it, EA? Please?
NCAA Football Franchise Has A Cult Following Ready For Its Return
The NCAA Football franchise is not just one of the best EA games of all time; it’s also one of the most beloved. Its devoted fanbase has continued to play NCAA Football 14 online through unofficial roster updates. Good luck if you’re looking to pick the game up yourself; it’s hard to find and expensive.
Like Madden and Fifa, NCAA Football delivers an authentic college football experience. As time went on, the game had the environment and feel of college football. It lacked, however, in year-to-year innovation, leading to its shelving after the 2013 release.
During its heyday, NCAA Football rivaled Madden in terms of enjoyment. The college playbook offered more room for unique experiences, creating more interesting match-ups. Plus, it’s fun taking a small school to a National Title.
Fret not, because EA is bringing college football back in 2023.
The Dragon Age Franchise Are Some of the Best EA Games and Wonderful RPGs
We’ll cheat here a little bit and lump the entire Dragon Age franchise together.
From its debut in 2009 to its most recent release in 2014 with Dragon Age: Inquisition, the Electronic Arts published RPG has remained one of the best EA games ever released.
The classic RPG-style gameplay meshes well with modern design. While Dragon Age II is the weak point, Origins and Inquisition both deliver definitive experiences.
The BioWare charm of narrative choices, character development, and storytelling shines through. There’s a reason why the demand for Dragon Age 4 is so high. These are beloved games with beloved characters. We can’t wait to experience an all-new adventure.
SimCity 4 Is The Pinnacle of the City Builder Genre
Sometimes bigger is better. SimCity used to be a hallmark franchise. Despite the stumble of SimCity 2013, these games still hold a special place in our hearts.
Depending on who you ask, the pinnacle of the franchise differs. For my money, it’s SimCity 4. It’s an absolute behemoth of the game, filled with virtually everything you could ever want in a city builder. You could argue that there’s too much within the game, but you can say that more is better here.
One great tidbit about SimCity 4 is that its traffic model is more advanced than what actual traffic engineers used. The game does a great job of nailing what it’s like to be a city planner. That’s what elevates it among the rank of best EA games.
Star Wars: The Old Republic Still Has A Loyal Audience Today
The MMORPG that keeps on going. Star Wars: The Old Republic launched with arguably too much hype. One of many “WoW killers,” it would have taken a miracle to meet its expectations.
RELATED: ALL FORTNITE STAR WARS SKINS YOU CAN PLAY WITH RIGHT NOW
In reality, Old Republic is a satisfying and enjoyable cinematic MMORPG in the Star Wars universe. Its class-based storylines and campaigns always stood out amongst its peers, featuring some of the genre’s best quest chains and narratives. The fully voice-acted dialogue and narrative choices offer an experience often not seen in other MMOs.
Ten years after its release, Old Republic keeps on delivering quality expansions and enjoyable content. If you’re an MMO, that’s the goal: keep delivering great gameplay.
Rock Band Let Us Live Out Our Rockstar Fantasies
After the success of Guitar Hero, an arms race began in the musical gaming genre. Activision purchased Red Octane, the team who published Guitar Hero. Harmonix, the game’s developer, was acquired by Electronic Arts. Rather than stick solely with guitar playing, Harominx and EA aimed higher.
Rock Band brings four instruments for players to perform: drums, bass, guitar, and vocals. An impressive soundtrack and incredible DLC support made plastic instruments a staple in gaming rooms worldwide.
Few games captured the imagination of fans like Rock Band. Its mass appeal made it a hit with casual and serious gamers alike, which helped shape the future of the rhythm gaming genre.
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers May Be One of the Best Movie Tie-In Games Ever
One of the best movie games ever released, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is an absolute masterpiece. Interweaving key moments in both Fellowship of the Ring and Two Towers, the action-based hack-and-slash is a delight to play.
Assuming the role of Aragorn, Legolas, or Gimli, players combat their way through the story, killing countless enemies in the process. Each character has its own unique playstyle that can keep things fresh.
At first glance, there’s nothing overly special about Two Towers. Its joy comes from its simplicity; creating a satisfying gameplay loop that’s fun the first or tenth time you play helps deliver an enjoyable game in the Lord of the Rings universe.
For Some, Mass Effect 2 Is the GOAT
Hands down the best game in the franchise, Mass Effect 2 redefines what it means to be a sequel.
With EA publishing, BioWare reshaped core gameplay to be far more accessible. While a controversial addition at first, Mass Effect 2 handles and plays miles better than the original. It’s more action/shooter than RPG, but strong RPG elements still exist. The narrative and decision making is as important as ever.
A stellar cast of characters is improved tenfold with The Illusive Man, Mordin Solus, Mirana Lawson, Thane, and others. These are people you grow attached to, care about, and want to succeed. You want them to live and fight alongside you.
What’s most remarkable about Mass Effect 2 is that despite being the second game of a trilogy, it delivers a satisfying self-contained story. All this and more easily make it one of the best EA games.
Mass Effect 3 Is One of the Best EA Games Despite Its Ending
Is the ending controversial? Yes. Is the first 95% of Mass Effect 3 an incredible way to cap off an all-time gaming trilogy? Also yes.
Nearly every decision and choice you made resulted in satisfying conclusions to storylines. The combat and set pieces deliver in every possible way, making it hard to put the controller down. Yes, the ending was a letdown, but DLC and updates have given these beloved characters the send-off they deserve.
RELATED: MASS EFFECT GAMES RANKED FROM WORST TO BEST
It may not be perfect, but Mass Effect 3 is undoubtedly one of the best EA games of all time and didn’t deserve the hatred it received. Combat and gameplay are technically sound, and checking in with every character and (mostly) resolving their storylines makes all the work and progress you put in worth it.
Titanfall 2 Is A Cult Classic FPS From Respawn Entertainment
The first Titanfall, an exclusive title for the Xbox One, was a fresh take on the FPS genre. It offered the fast-paced action Respawn (and former Infinity Ward developers) is known for. The “twist” of allowing players to pilot larger-than-life mech Titans never got old, either.
What did get old, however, was the fact that the game was a bit shallow, offering more of a launch window tech demo type experience instead of a full-fledged game. Titanfall 2 addresses these issues in spades.
The expansion of multiplayer and the addition of a single-player campaign helped Titanfall deliver as one of the best EA games ever made. Its gameplay is better than ever, and its narrative is better than anticipated. Its modern-day cult following is well deserved, and we look forward to our return to the franchise.
The Commander & Conquer Franchise Was Once a Benchmark for the RTS Genre
While the real-time strategy genre has lost popularity over the years, Commander & Conquer was not just an RTS staple but a must-own for any PC gamer.
The series has seen countless games, from the mainline series to the Red Alert spin-offs. The franchise parlays full-motion video cutscenes, an impressive cast of actors, and simple yet deep gameplay into a winning formula.
Time has left Commander & Conquer by the wayside, but its impact and legacy on 90s gaming cannot be understated. This was the benchmark all other strategy games aimed to meet.
Lost in Random Is a Hidden Gem
Released in 2021 as part of the EA Originals program, Lost in Random is an imaginative third-person action-adventure.
For what it lacks in terms of gameplay and meat, it makes up for it with a strong narrative, fantastic characters, and enjoyable dialogue.
The real star of the show here is the game’s creativity. Lost in Random isn’t afraid to through new ideas at you. While some don’t always work or come together, it doesn’t bring the game down.
Apex Legends Is One of the Best Battle Royales You Can Play Today
While we wait for that third Titanfall game, Apex Legends continues to dominate the battle royale genre. Respawn’s formula of fast, frantic, and well-controlled gameplay translates extremely well to the genre.
Apex lacks the Titans of Titanfall, meaning there’s no way to overpower your opponents with gigantic mech weaponry. Instead, it’s all about the heroes and wisely using your abilities to your advantage.
The ping system present in Apex Legends is a welcome addition to the genre as well, removing the need for voice communication with your friends. The combination of tight gameplay and genre innovation, combined with the replayability of the genre, proves that Respawn is one of EA’s best developers.
Oh, did we mention that the game is free-to-play as well?
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Reinvigorates Single-Player Games
We’ve talked about two multiplayer Respawn shooters, so why not keep discussing the developer? Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a single-player game from Respawn and Electronic Arts in a day in age where that’s the exception, not the norm. The “gamble” results in one of the best EA games in quite some time.
Fallen Order proves that Respawn knows combat, whether it’s shooter or action-based. Playing the game has that typical Respawn feel, helping it stand out in the genre.
RELATED: MAJOR GAME REVEALSWE’LLL MOST LIKELY SEE AT THE GAME AWARDS
Often referred to as “Dark Souls-lite,” Fallen Order can push players to their limits while delivering an accessible and fair gameplay experience. It’s no cakewalk, but it’s also not going to beat you over the head with blunt objects repeatedly.
The game was also a commercial success, selling over 10 million copies. Combining elements from a variety of action-adventure games throu1
Medal of Honor Is One of the OG Shooters
Before Call of Duty, there was Medal of Honor.
The 1999 Medal of Honor, that is. Not the absolutely horrendous 2010 reboot.
Believe it or not, there was once a time when WWII shooters weren’t oversaturated in the market. The late 90s and early 00s were that time. Medal of Honor was the hallmark of that WWII genre.
Featuring a story from acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, Medal of Honor delivers an (at the time) unprecedented experience.
It balances the line of not taking itself too seriously while still telling a more mature war story. This allows Medal of Honor to successfully exist alongside other console FPS greats of the time, like Goldeneye: 007 and Perfect Dark. It’s a narrative choice we still see today in the Wolfenstein franchise; it works for a reason.
Battlefield: Bad Company2’ss Personality Makes It One of the Best EA Games
Speaking of games that don’t take themselves too seriously, let’s discuss Bad Company 2. The Battlefield spin-off improves over the original in nearly every way. Delivering a fantastic squad shooter campaign and enjoyable multiplayer, it went toe to toe with the Call of Duty franchise that dominated the FPS genre at the time.
Where Bad Company 2 truly succeeds is knowing what it is and isn’t.
The late 2000s and early 2010s were about games taking themselves almost too seriously. As some video games attempted to mature themselves more into an art form, some tried a little too hard in that direction. The Bad Company franchise didn’t care about that; it just wanted everyone to have a good time playing it.
Bad Company 2 successfully manages to balance parody and seriousness. It’s not as dark or depressing as other shooters of the era but doesn’t poke fun at itself 24/7. The result is an entertaining experience that knows when you make you laugh and knows when you keep you on the edge of your seat.
Bad Company 2 is that good time, a worthy sequel to a franchise that was a welcome addition during the 360/PS3 generation.
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, Against All Odds, Is Fantastic
I’m not sure how to describe Garden Warfare other than the fact that it somehow works.
The Plants vs. Zombies franchise, first developed by PopCap Games, is one of the best tower defense games ever. Garden Warfare removes the series from its traditional genre and drops it into a team-based shooter environment.
It seems like a recipe for disaster, yet somehow I sunk countless hours into this game.
Garden Warfare isn’t going to break the mold and innovate the shooter genre, but that’s not what it’s meant to do. The gameplay is exceptionally polished, the Plants vs. Zombies charm still oozes from the screen, and there’s a surprising lack of content bloat. PopCap and EA knew not to get too greedy, resulting in one of the best EA games.
Battlefield 2 Reminds Us How Great the Franchise Used To Be
There’s a reason why modern Battlefield games keep selling: people are desperate for the franchise to return to its glory days.
Before the days of Frostbite, bugs, spin-offs, and misfires, there was Battlefield 2. One of the best EA games ever made and a juggernaut of the FPS genre.
Battlefield 2 wasn’t about a multi-release narrative. It wasn’t trying to tell a mature story about the horrors of war. The experience offered was simple: large-scale multiplayer warfare. 12 to 15 maps offering up to a 64-player match delivers in every possible way. There was no need to provide innovation or gimmicks. This was all about the gameplay.
Battlefield 2 was so popular and enjoyable that my roommates often played these matches by themselves against bots. EA and DICE let the gameplay do the talking and the walking. One day, we’ll get the franchise back there.
Hopefully.
Burnout 3: Takedown Is the Arcade Racer Genre at Its Finest
One of the definitive Xbox experiences, Burnout 3: Takedown offers an experience that needs to be seen to be believed.
Already an enjoyable arcade racer on its own merit, the continued emphasis on crashes and mayhem takes everything to a new level. You were rewarded for crashing into your opponents. It was less about outracing your opponents and instead combating them directly.
The crash mode also delivers a satisfying, over-the-top experience to provide as much mayhem as possible. Creating a Hollywood-level car crash and being rewarded for doing so is incredibly addictive.
Gaming is better with the Burnout franchise in it, and we deserve a new entry in the franchise.
Wrapping Up
That’s our always-evolving list of the best EA games of all time. There’s much to love from the Electronic Arts library of games between EA sports, big marquee franchises, and hidden gems. Cult classics like Black, Unravel, and others just missed the cut, for example.
Did we miss any of your favorites? Sound off in the comments, and keep the conversation going!
