Think back to starting Madden NFL 2004 and seeing Mike Vick`s incredible speed rating. For many young players, this moment is a key memory: one of the most thrilling NFL quarterbacks ever, challenging everyone with his 95 speed, powerful arm, and overall amazing statistics. The version of Mike Vick in Madden was a virtual athlete so powerful he could strain friendships by completely overpowering the other team`s defense.
But he`s not the only player who effortlessly led virtual teams to victory with such ease. Following the news that Saquon Barkley will be on the cover of Madden NFL 26, it`s a good time to look back at some of the most dominant athletes in video game history. Just remember to agree with your friends beforehand if you decide to play these old games again – picking these characters might be controversial!
Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl
Considered the greatest of all time in video games. Bo Jackson seemed like a cheat code even in real life, so his appearance in Tecmo Bowl for the NES in 1987 wasn`t expected to be balanced. The surprise was how ridiculously overpowered he was. There are countless videos online showing Tecmo Bo taking a handoff, running 99 yards, turning around, running back to his own end zone, and then scoring again, all while the defenders flailed uselessly. No one else was remotely comparable, and he somehow got even better in the 1991 sequel, Tecmo Super Bowl.
Jon Dowd in MVP Baseball 2005
Barry Bonds was not included in the MLBPA`s licensing, meaning he couldn`t officially appear in licensed video games. However, he was effectively there. The San Francisco Giants roster in the game featured a left fielder named Jon Dowd who just happened to share Bonds` exact birthdate, age, and weight. Conveniently, he also had 99 power and contact ratings against right-handed pitchers and 89 power with 84 contact against lefties. Predictably, players using the Giants could make Dowd achieve, well, video game-level statistics. Just like Barry Bonds did.
Pablo Sanchez in Backyard Baseball
The Backyard series were charming, cartoonish sports simulators played in locations like sandlots and backyards. Pablo Sanchez was one of the standout child players you could draft to build your ultimate team. He was nicknamed `Secret Weapon,` but his dominance was hardly a secret. This kid had maximum stats in batting, running, and pitching, and was one of the game`s best pitchers. His most overpowering appearance might have been in Backyard Hockey, where he boasted max stats across every single category.
Mike Tyson in Mike Tyson`s Punch-Out!!
Arguably one of the most challenging final bosses in video game history, Tyson ended more attempts at completing Punch-Out than being called for dinner or having homework. He could easily knock players out, skillfully avoid or block punches, and if you lost, that was it. You were sent all the way back to fight Glass Joe again. Anyone who managed to figure out his patterns and defeat him (hint: dodge constantly) before online guides became common was considered a schoolyard legend.
Jeremy Roenick in NHL `94
Jeremy Roenick wasn`t technically the highest-rated player in NHL `94 – that honor belonged to Mario Lemieux with a perfect 100 overall. However, Roenick`s combination of size and exceptionally high speed made him nearly unstoppable. Skilled players could easily outskate or bodycheck almost any opponent on the ice with him. Some argued he was even more dominant in the previous year`s game, NHLPA Hockey `93.