The best sports games aren't necessarily innovative. But they do, however, contain innovative features.
Take a look at our most recent "Greatest Sports Game Ever" poll, and it's easy to match the top finishers with a ground-breaking feature.
MVP Baseball 2005: Hitter's Eye.
NFL 2K5: First-Person Football.
College Hoops 2K8: 6th Man Meter.
This isn't to say that all great games innovate or that all innovative games are great. There just seems to be an inherent connection between those games we view as quality titles and the ability to bring something new to the table.
Read More - Has Innovation Become a Thing of the Past With Sports Games?