Soccer
EA tries new modes each year like teens in a pre-season friendly, but some are benched too soon.
Sometimes, they become juggernauts. Other times, they fall flatter than a striker in the box with no-one anywhere near him. Although as hit and miss as an Arsenal defence, many of FIFA's game modes have been brought off a bit too soon, with great ideas like Football Fusion and indoor games subbed too early. We take a look back at some of the modes that deserved the full 90-minutes.
FIFA 97 – Indoor football
FIFA 97 featured L'Oreal (and Newcastle) star David Ginola on its cover, and also used him as a basis for the game's new-fangled motion capture. But as well as the more realistic player motion, FIFA 97 also introduced an innovative indoor gaming mode. Allowing you to play 6 vs 6 matches just like when you were at your best friend's birthday party. The indoor mode shunned throw-ins and corners, resulting in a faster, more energetic playing experience. Despite good feedback from players, Indoor mode only returned once more in FIFA 98, with EA giving it the chop in FIFA 99. We'd love to see a return in FIFA 16, or at the very least a realistic seven-a-side mode that see your pouring bits of grit out of your astro turfs for weeks afterwards.
FIFA 2000 – Classic teams
In addition to the usual line up, FIFA 2000 boasted a total of 40 classic teams. Featuring famous XIs from all eras of classic football, FIFA 2000 let you play as the unstoppable 1970 Brazil side, 1950 Real Madrid, 1974 Holland and many more. Giving you the chance to play as Pele and Maradona, FIFA even licensed kits, names and player likenesses, so it was the best way yet to relive vintage games. Sadly FIFA 2000 was the first and last outing for the fully featured classic mode, with FIFA games these days only featuring one, fictional 'Ultimate XI' team.
FIFA 06 – Retro mode
Featuring a cover graced by a young, promising Wayne Rooney and a peerless Ronaldinho, FIFA 06 was the thirteenth game in the FIFA series, and let EA look back as well as forward. Like EA's other NHL and NBA games of that year, FIFA 06 came complete with a special retro mode. Featuring a video compilation of the EA team's most memorable footballing moments and all the previous FIFA games, FIFA 06's retro mode even gave you a chance to play on the game that started it all: the 16bit, FIFA International Soccer. EA haven't resurrected the retro mode since, so now if you want to play International Soccer, you'll have to use an emulator or an old console.
FIFA 2004 – Football Fusion
Football manager games can offer some of the most challenging in-depth and tactical experiences you'll find outside of the dugout, but are often criticised for their lack of hands-on gameplay. EA solved the problem way back in 2004 with 'Football Fusion', a mode which gave people with both Total Club Manager 2004 and FIFA 2004 games the chance to actually play through the fixtures they were managing. The result? An all encompassing 360 degree football experience, giving players the chance to make a difference in the dugouts – and on the turf. Sadly, EA never returned to the format, preferring to bundle in a cut-down Manager Career mode in later FIFAs.
FIFA 2003 – Freestyle Control
2003 was the year of pure skill, with Brazil's three Rs (Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo) dominating the World Cup the previous summer. It was only natural for EA to get in on the act, so FIFA 2003 brought in Freestyle Control, for first touches Neymar or Messi would be proud of. A year later, FIFA 2004 added clever off the ball movement, but the dream was over in FIFA 2006, when both features got the cut. What's more, EA have actually made the skill and first touch of players worse ever since, arguing that it makes play more realistic.
FIFA 2001 – Intentional Foul
Although not a game mode as such, FIFA 2001 introduced the 'Intentional Foul' to gamers. Often used as a last resort, or a cynical strategic move, the Intentional Foul allowed players to take down opponents with MMA like ferocity, all with a handy tap of the R1 button. Great for taking your mate's star player out the equation, stopping flowing football in its tracks, or just to cause complete chaos, the Intentional Foul divided opinion among gamers. In an attempt to save the beautiful game, EA gave the hack a red card for FIFA 2002, forcing gamers to injure other players fair and square. Like Roy Keane or Vinnie Jones' challenges, perhaps these are better left in the beautiful game's past.
FIFA 99 – European Dream League
FIFA 99's best remembered these days for its stonking soundtrack, but it was a seminal release at the time. As well as noticeably more fluid and natural gameplay, FIFA 99 also packed in the 'European Dream League' mode. Essentially a heady combination of the Champions League and a normal championship, the European Dream League compiled Europe's best teams into a league that featured the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United and Bayern Munich and many more. Unfortunately, FIFA 99 was the only time the stars aligned for such a battle, and EA haven't brought the mode back.
What was your favourite FIFA game mode ever? Tell us in the comments below!
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