FIFA Soccer 2005

"Best Football Game i've played on the GBA..."

...Not that they are that many, this game is fun and all, but if you'd like to know why I gave it a 7, read on.

Graphics - 5/10

The graphics really are poor for a GBA title, I remember playing FIFA on the Mega Drive which had better graphics than this, they really aren't using the machine to it's potential, sure enough, you can read the team names and all, and the boards on the outside of the pitch, but even they look shoddy, and the players aren't that detailed either, they just look like sticks knocking a speck of dandruff around, perhaps they used too much memory by putting 3 songs into the cartridge, hmmm...

Gameplay - 8/10

The AI in this game is decent enough, and the different skills you can do with the ball, 1-2s, Free Kicks, you can actually make a nice looking free kick, Ryan Giggs style, against the opposition. I'm still disappointed that you can't transfer players in this game, again, you could do that with a Mega Drive FIFA, and they had less space to make a game on those cartridges.

Sound - 7/10

Like I mentioned before, they've managed to fit 2-3 songs into this cartridge, which isn't really necessary for what the game is, this is a football game, not Music 2000, and the songs are irritating. The crowd noise is realistic though, the fans singing familiar Football songs, the way they do on a Saturday afternoon.

Long Term - 7/10

This game will last you a while, the Career Mode is fun, taking a team through 5 seasons (I chose Shrewsbury Town, took them to the Premiership!) and there are a few things to unlock too, in the Challenges Mode, completing 4 of the Challenges unlocks another etc. There is a Multiplayer option, of which I haven't been able to try. There is also the option to play through a season in Cup or League format. I've been addicted with the Career Mode at the moment though.

Overall, this game isn't bad, but they could have added more essential features. Like the option to transfer players and better graphics.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/19/04