PSP World

FIFA Soccer

EA’s FIFA Soccer is the company’s top selling game worldwide — Of All Time. That’s right, it’s not Madden — FIFA’s blend of uber-realistic game play, a staggering number of real life teams (both Club and National), and depth has been playing on videogame systems across the world more than any other EA title. So for the first PSP installment of the franchise, high hopes are held.

Along the lines of gameplay this version of FIFA includes the standard season and tournament modes, along with a new Challenges mode and wireless multiplayer head-to-head. The Challenges mode involves different scenarios taken from past real life games. With fast-paced challenges, this mode translates well to the portable platform. The controls on the game are typically solid (with the exception of first-touch moves on the d-pad, but hey, you can’t do much better without a right analog stick), and the physics models in FIFA just get better and better every year. The graphics are really a showcase of the PSP’s power - everything from in-game play to menus is crisp and clear, and the audio commentary is equally as good, which has become a hallmark of the franchise.

Speaking of audio, FIFA Soccer for the PSP features EA Sports Pocket Trax, which gives players direct access to the game’s excellent soundtrack. Featuring songs from the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Paul Oakenfold, The Bravery, and The Streets, the soundtrack itself would have been worth the price of a CD. Overall, any PSP owner should be happy with the purchase of this game — soccer fan or not. The combination of fast-paced, addictive gameplay, great graphics, and excellent audio make for a portable sports experience not to be missed.

Review Round-Up:

Games Domain: 9 (of 10)
“We’re floored by the effort; if EA Sports can fix a few minor niggles and implement ongoing audiovisual upgrades, we expect big things from the series.”

GameSpot: 8.3 (of 10)
“FIFA Soccer is a great soccer game in almost every respect, and it has a lot more in common with its excellent console and PC counterparts than we could have guessed.”

GameSpy: 4 (of 5)
“Imperfections aside, when all’s said and done, FIFA Soccer is a worthwhile addition to any avid gamer’s PSP library, providing hours of unparalleled handheld soccer gaming bliss.”

GameZone: 8.2 (of 10)
“When all is said and done, FIFA Soccer for the PSP just offers enough soccer goodness for those who want to take their passion for the sport on the go. A few blemishes aside doesn’t hold back a game that’s big on teams, game modes and loads of fun.”

Aggregate Rating: 8.6 (out of 10)