Introduction
It’s that time of year again. No, not Christmas the FIFA World Cup. This year’s tournament is already becoming a classic, with some of the finest players in the world battling it out on the pitch.
As any football fan knows, the World Cup only occurs once every four years. So in celebration of this year’s tournament, we’re looking back at some of the best FIFA football games of all time.
From the classic 1994 game to this year’s upcoming release, these are the five FIFA games that every fan needs to play.
FIFA International Soccer (1993)
Released in 1993, FIFA International Soccer was the first football game of the FIFA series. It was developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports and was available for the Sega Mega Drive. The game allowed players to compete in international tournaments with national teams.
FIFA International Soccer received mixed reviews from critics. However, it was commercially successful and spawned several sequels.
FIFA Soccer 95 (1994)
The second entry on this list is FIFA Soccer 95. Released in 1994, this game took a giant leap forward regarding graphical quality and realism and boasted a roster of top international teams. It was also one of the first FIFA games to feature real-world players’ likenesses, making it an instant favourite for soccer fans.
FIFA Soccer 96 (1995)
FIFA Soccer 96 is one of the defining games in the FIFA franchise. It was the first game to include real-time 3D graphics, which gave players a much more realistic experience. It also featured an innovative new control system allowing more precise gameplay.
The game was a major success, selling over 3 million copies. It was nominated for several awards, including “Best Sports Game” and “Best Console Game”. Critics praised the game for its high level of realism and addictive gameplay.
FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 (1997)
FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 was released in 1997 and is considered by many to be one of the best FIFA games ever made. The game was developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts.
FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 is the first FIFA game to feature official licensing from FIFA itself. It meant that the game featured accurate teams, kits, and stadiums worldwide. The game also featured realistic player movements and precise representations of players’ skills and abilities.
FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 was also the first game in the series to feature a create-a-player mode, allowing players to create custom players. The game also featured an extensive career mode, in which players could take a team from qualifying for the World Cup to winning the tournament.
Overall, FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 is considered by many to be the best FIFA game ever made and is still enjoyed by fans today.
Fifa 99 (1998)
The fifth-best FIFA game of all time is Fifa 99, released in 1998. This was the first game in the series to use the EA Sports BIG logo.
Fifa 99 was also the first game to have 6-a-side indoor soccer. It featured an exclusive partnership with the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS). It meant that fans could play with real MLS teams, players and stadiums for the first time.
The game also had an improved graphics engine, meaning the players looked more realistic than ever. One of the best things about Fifa 99 was the commentary, which John Motson and Ally McCoist provided.
Conclusion
In the end, what makes a good FIFA game is up to personal preferences. However, the five FIFA games mentioned in this article are considered by many to be the best of the best. If you’re looking for a great football game, anyone would be a good choice.
