If you were playing video games back in the early 2000s, there is a good chance you remember EA Big. This unorthodox division of Electronic Arts made some of the most iconic arcade sports games during the sixth console generation. While the SSX series might be the company's most popular franchise, the Street series gives it a run for its money.
The Street games became some of the most popular sports games during the PlayStation 2 era. NBA Street and NFL Street became the go-to sports titles for many gamers. However, the zany franchise's reign at the top of the sports genre would be short-lived. EA suddenly abandoned the Street series without warning. However, after looking further into the franchise, it's clear why EA left the Street games behind.
The Street series started off as a fresh, new concept. Taking professional sports teams out of the stadiums and into the street was an original idea back in 2001. NBA Street started the craze and inspired other games to follow in its footsteps, like NFL Street and FIFA Street. Clone games like Street Hoops and NBA Ballers started sprouting up everywhere. By the mid-2000s, every Street game received multiple sequels, and copycat titles started flooding the market.
What started out as a fresh idea began growing stale after a few short years. EA started milking the Street franchise, launching some sequels less than a year of its predecessor. From 2001 to 2006, EA released eight Street games. This led gamers to grow tired of the urban arcade sports aesthetic, instead yearning for something new. As is the case with other franchises that were unable to keep things fresh, Street fans began looking for new experiences elsewhere.
The Street series came out at a time when developers were taking risks with video games. Companies would often experiment with obscure ideas and release original, inventive titles. EA Big was one of the more experimental branches of Electronic Arts. Many of its games were off the wall and pushed traditional sports to the limits.
Unfortunately, EA started playing it safe as soon as the Street craze started taking off. The company started limiting its original projects and focusing on titles it knew would sell well. EA eventually started closing many of its more experimental branches in order to focus on existing brands like Madden and Battlefield. EA ended up shutting down EA Big in 2008, killing off many of its beloved franchises, the Street series being one of the casualties. Some gamers believe EA Big's closure signified the end of an era at EA.
Even after nearly 20 years, EA Big's Street titles are still some of the best arcade sports games out there. Many fans still miss the classic franchise and wish it would make a comeback on modern consoles. The chances of EA bringing the series back are slim, especially since the arcade sports genre itself has fallen out of style. Unless is makes a big comeback, players will fond memories will just have to continue playing the Street games on their PlayStation 2s.