ACS Sports

ACS Sports is a publishing label created by ACS to market sports video games during most of the 1990s and the early 2000s. First appearing in 1995, ACS Sports has published games based on various popular sports such as soccer/Association football, baseball, basketball, American football, ice hockey, tennis, golf and extreme sports, among others. Games under the ACS Sports label have been released for several platforms, including the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo Gamecube, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance.

History
Prior to creating the ACS Sports label, ACS released various sports titles for the Super Nintendo. These sports games were nothing more than ports of their arcade sports titles originally released for their Supra arcade systems, with the inclusion of licensed players, but the teams were only loosely based on then-current sports league teams, as they were only able to secure player's association licenses (or in the case of Shaq's Monster Dunk Basketball (1995), only one pro player's license).

Initially a launch title for the PlayStation, World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick (known in Japan as 3D Power Shukyu) was released in early 1995 as the inaugural game for the ACS Sports label. It was among the first soccer games on console to feature full 3D graphics. The Winning Kick series would receive several more installments in the coming years, with World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick Prime (2001) showcasing a shift to a simulation-based style.

Around that same time, ACS would obtain the license to the “big four” major sports leagues in America: the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball, to publish what would become known as the "Big 4" series. ACS would release the first game in this series, Major League Baseball: At Bat, later in 1996. Most of Big 4 games were released exclusively for the Western hemisphere, but MLB At Bat and NBA Rebound did receive Japanese releases under the Pro Players name.

Maximum Smash Tennis and Super Shot Golf would later follow suit, releasing in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Unlike Winning Kick and the Big 4 series, both of which would move to simulation as time went by, these games were built from the ground up as fast-paced arcade sports games, and retained this gameplay style well into their last few installments.

ACS Sports would release their first and only foray into the boxing genre in 1999 with the release of Showtime Championship Boxing. Unlike the other ACS Sports games at the time, development for Showtime Championship Boxing was outsourced to Opus Corp., making it the first ACS Sports title to not be developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya.

ACS Sports games were initially exclusive to the PlayStation. In 1998 and 1999, ACS released several of their Big 4 sports games on the Nintendo 64. However, these are all completely different games compared to their PlayStation originals, developed by a separate, uncredited development studio. Starting in 2000, ACS Sports would go multiplatform. However, both Maximum Smash Tennis and Super Shot Golf still remained as PlayStation exclusives.

From 1995 to 1999, most ACS Sports titles were developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya. Starting in 2000, development work for the annual "big four" ACS Sports titles: MLB At Bat, NBA Rebound, NFL Rush and NHL Full Strength would all be outsourced to various third-party developers. Meanwhile, ACS Production Studio Nagoya would continue development on the other, more sporadic titles for the brand.

2000 saw ACS expanding the ACS Sports brand by releasing games based on extreme sports: Both the M-X: Extreme Motocross and Total Extreme Sports series would receive frequent installments from 2000 to 2002. Both franchises were developed by third-party developers, with little involvement from ACS themselves beyond publishing them.

The final game to be released under the ACS Sports label is NHL Full Strength 2005, released in late 2004. Following the sales decline for ACS Sports games, as well as their subsequent loss of the big 4 major sports league licenses, ACS would fully retire the ACS Sports label shortly thereafter and would instead opt to publish all of their further sports games under the mainline ACS umbrella.

World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick

 * World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick (1995; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya


 * World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick 2 (1996; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya


 * World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick 64 (1997; Nintendo 64)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya


 * World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick 3 (1998; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya


 * World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick: The Arcade (1999; Arcade (ACS TGX2 Modeler)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Tokyo


 * World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick 2000 (2000; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya


 * World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick Prime (2001; PlayStation 2, Gamecube)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya


 * World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick Prime 2 (2003; PlayStation 2, Gamecube)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya

MLB At Bat

 * Major League Baseball: At Bat (1996; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1995 MLB Season


 * MLB At Bat ‘98 (1997; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1996 MLB Season


 * MLB At Bat ‘99 (1998; PlayStation, Nintendo 64)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1997 MLB Season


 * MLB At Bat 2000 (1999; PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1998 MLB Season


 * MLB At Bat 2001 (2000; Dreamcast, PlayStation 2)
 * Developed by High Voltage Software
 * Features rosters based on the 1999 MLB Season


 * MLB At Bat 2002 (2001; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, Game Boy Advance)
 * Developed by High Voltage Software
 * Features rosters based on the 2000 MLB Season


 * MLB At Bat 2003 (2002; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by High Voltage Software
 * Features rosters based on the 2001 MLB Season


 * MLB At Bat 2004 (2003; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by High Voltage Software
 * Features rosters based on the 2002 MLB Season


 * MLB At Bat 2005 (2004; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by High Voltage Software
 * Features rosters based on the 2003 MLB Season

NBA Rebound

 * NBA Basketball: Rebound (1996; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1995-96 NBA Season


 * NBA Rebound ‘98 (1997; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1996-97 NBA Season


 * NBA Rebound ‘99 (1998; PlayStation, Nintendo 64)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1997-98 NBA Season


 * NBA Rebound 2000 (1999; PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1998-99 NBA Season


 * NBA Rebound 2001 (2000; Dreamcast, PlayStation 2)
 * Developed by Black Ops Entertainment
 * Featuress rosters based on the 1999-2000 NBA Season


 * NBA Rebound 2002 (2001; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, Game Boy Advance)
 * Developed by Black Ops Entertainment
 * Features rosters based on the 2000-01 NBA Season


 * NBA Rebound 2003 (2002; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by Black Ops Entertainment
 * Features rosters based on the 2001-02 NBA Season


 * NBA Rebound 2004 (2003; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by Black Ops Entertainment
 * Features rosters based on the 2002-03 NBA Season


 * NBA Rebound 2005 (2004; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by Black Ops Entertainment
 * Features rosters based on the 2003-04 NBA Season

NFL Rush

 * NFL Football: Rush (1996; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1995 NFL Season


 * NFL Rush ‘98 (1997; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1996 NFL Season


 * NFL Rush ‘99 (1998; PlayStation, Nintendo 64)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1997 NFL Season


 * NFL Rush 2000 (1999; PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1998 NFL Season


 * NFL Rush 2001 (2000; Dreamcast, PlayStation 2)
 * Developed by FarSight Technologies
 * Features rosters based on the 1999 NFL Season


 * NFL Rush 2002 (2001; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, Game Boy Advance)
 * Developed by FarSight Technologies
 * Features rosters based on the 2000 NFL Season


 * NFL Rush 2003 (2002; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by FarSight Technologies
 * Features rosters based on the 2001 NFL Season


 * NFL Rush 2004 (2003; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by FarSight Technologies
 * Features rosters based on the 2002 NFL Season


 * NFL Rush 2005 (2004; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by FarSight Technologies
 * Features rosters based on the 2003 NFL Season

NHL Full Strength

 * NHL Hockey: Full Strength (1996; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1995-96 NHL Season


 * NHL Full Strength ‘98 (1997; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1996-97 NHL Season


 * NHL Full Strength ‘99 (1998; PlayStation, Nintendo 64)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1997-98 NHL Season


 * NHL Full Strength 2000 (1999; PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya
 * Features rosters based on the 1998-99 NHL Season


 * NHL Full Strength 2001 (2000; Dreamcast, PlayStation 2)
 * Developed by Page 44 Studios
 * Features rosters based on the 1999-2000 NHL Season


 * NHL Full Strength 2002 (2001; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, Game Boy Advance)
 * Developed by Page 44 Studios
 * Features rosters based on the 2000-01 NHL Season


 * NHL Full Strength 2003 (2002; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by Page 44 Studios
 * Features rosters based on the 2001-02 NHL Season


 * NHL Full Strength 2004 (2003; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by Page 44 Studios
 * Features rosters based on the 2002-03 NHL Season


 * NHL Full Strength 2005 (2004; PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube)
 * Developed by Page 44 Studios
 * Features rosters based on the 2003-04 NHL Season

Maximum Smash Tennis

 * Maximum Smash Tennis (1997; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya


 * Maximum Smash Tennis 2 (1999; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya


 * Maximum Smash Tennis 3 (2003; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya

Super Shot Golf

 * Super Shot Golf (1998; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya


 * Super Shot Golf 2 (2000; PlayStation)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya


 * Super Shot Golf 3 (2002; PlayStation 2)
 * Developed by ACS Production Studio Nagoya

Showtime Championship Boxing

 * Showtime Championship Boxing (1999; PlayStation, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color)
 * Developed by Opus Corp.

M-X: Extreme Motocross
Main article: M-X: Extreme Motocross


 * M-X: Extreme Motocross feat. Travis Pastrana (2000; PlayStation, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color)
 * Developed by Climax Solent


 * M-X²: Extreme Motocross (2001; PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance)
 * Developed by Climax Solent


 * M-X³: Extreme Motocross (2002; PlayStation 2, XBox, Gamecube, Game Boy Advance)
 * Developed by Climax Solent

Danny Way’s Total Skateboarding
Main article: Total Extreme Sports


 * Danny Way’s Total Skateboarding (2000; PlayStation, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color)
 * Developed by Rage Games


 * Danny Way’s Total Skateboarding 2 (2001; PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance)
 * Developed by Rage Games


 * Danny Way’s Total Skateboarding 3 (2002; PlayStation 2, XBox, Gamecube, Game Boy Advance)
 * Deveoped by Rage Games

Dennis McCoy’s Total BMX
Main article: Total Extreme Sports


 * Dennis McCoy’s Total BMX (2000; PlayStation, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color)
 * Developed by Blue Shift


 * Dennis McCoy’s Total BMX 2 (2001; PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance)
 * Developed by Blue Shift


 * Dennis McCoy's Total BMX 3 (2002; PlayStation 2, XBox, Gamecube, Game Boy Advance)
 * Developed by Blue Shift

Todd Richards’ Total Snowboarding
Main article: Total Extreme Sports


 * Todd Richards’ Total Snowboarding (2000; PlayStation, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color)
 * Developed by Radical Entertainment


 * Todd Richards’ Total Snowboarding 2 (2001; PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance)
 * Developed by Radical Entertainment


 * Todd Richards’ Total Snowboarding 3 (2002; PlayStation 2, XBox, Gamecube, Game Boy Advance)
 * Developed by Radical Entertainment

MLB At Bat

 * Major League Baseball: At Bat: Barry Larkin
 * MLB At Bat ‘98: Ken Caminti
 * MLB At Bat ‘99: Greg Maddux
 * MLB At Bat 2000: Derek Jeter
 * MLB At Bat 2001: Chipper Jones
 * MLB At Bat 2002: Randy Johnson
 * MLB At Bat 2003: Bret Boone
 * MLB At Bat 2004: Jim Thome
 * MLB At Bat 2005: Josh Beckett
 * MLB At Bat 2004 and 2005 (Japanese release): Ichiro

NBA Rebound

 * NBA Basketball: Rebound: Gary Payton
 * NBA Rebound ‘98: Karl Malone
 * NBA Rebound ‘99: Shawn Kemp
 * NBA Rebound 2000: Kobe Bryant
 * NBA Rebound 2001: Tim Duncan
 * NBA Rebound 2002: Tracy McGrady
 * NBA Rebound 2003: Vince Carter
 * NBA Rebound 2004: Kevin Garnett
 * NBA Rebound 2005: Ben Wallace

NFL Rush

 * NFL Football: Rush: Curtis Martin
 * NFL Rush ‘98: Terrell Davis
 * NFL Rush ‘99: Deion Sanders
 * NFL Rush 2000: Brett Favre
 * NFL Rush 2001: Kurt Warner
 * NFL Rush 2002: Peyton Manning
 * NFL Rush 2003: Michael Strahan
 * NFL Rush 2004: Rich Gannon
 * NFL Rush 2005: Tom Brady

NHL Full Strength

 * NHL Hockey: Full Strength: Paul Kariya
 * NHL Full Strength ‘98: Eric Lindros
 * NHL Full Strength ‘99: Steve Yzerman
 * NHL Full Strength 2000: Jaromir Jagr
 * NHL Full Strength 2001: Chris Pronger
 * NHL Full Strength 2002: Joe Sakic
 * NHL Full Strength 2003: Ron Francis
 * NHL Full Strength 2004: Peter Forsberg
 * NHL Full Strength 2005: Martin St. Louis

Soundtracks
Main article: ACS Sports/Soundtracks

See also: M-X: Extreme Motocross/Soundtracks and Total Extreme Sports/Soundtracks

Various games under the ACS Sports label featured several licensed songs from different artists and bands. The genres featured range from hip-hop, to punk, to metal.

Trivia

 * World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick 3 would receive an arcade port in the form of World Pro Soccer: Winning Kick: The Arcade, released in 1999, making it the only ACS Sports game to hold such distinction.
 * Notably, the Japanese releases of MLB At Bat 2004 and 2005 featured then-Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro on the cover.
 * NBA legend Michael Jordan, formerly of the Chicago Bulls, was unable to appear in most of the NBA Rebound titles throughout the 1990s due to licensing issues. In his place was a generic roster player named "Bulls Guard" who possessed his stats, but not his appearance, profile and jersey number.
 * Alongside ESPN NFL 2K5, NFL Rush 2005 was among the last official NFL licensed video games released by a company other than Electronic Arts. Around late 2004, the NFL had signed an exclusivity deal with EA, effectively halting production of all NFL games that aren't produced by EA.
 * Notably, NHL Hockey: Full Strength did not feature the ability to fight. Fighting would eventually added in the game following its sequel, NHL Full Strength ‘98.
 * Select installments of Maximum Smash Tennis and Super Shot Golf feature several ACS characters as secret players, who are unlockable by entering a cheat code.