Gaming
Games
The worst FIFA games of all time
FIFA is famous for being released on every platform under the sun – but not all are born equal.
One of the most popular sports sims ever, EA’s FIFA series has chugged along since its first release more than two decades ago, and is famous for being released on almost every format, every year.
Much like losing your connection when 2-0 up online, an annual FIFA update is one of life’s certainties. However, while many FIFAs have gone down as legendary, some were more Emile Heskey than Cristiano Ronaldo.
FIFA 14 - Nintendo Wii
Great for family fun, the Wii has always been a console different generations can enjoy. Suited for Mario Tennis and Wii Golf, its motion controls aren’t the best for a football sim, but that didn’t stop EA making a valiant attempt to port FIFA 14 to the little white box that even Nintendo has given up on at this point. The main problem? Many gamers found FIFA 14 all too familiar. In fact, other than a few updated player names, FIFA 14 resembled a carbon copy of the previous game. On the bright side, FIFA 13 wasn’t bad at least – but it felt pretty lazy compared to the revamped, Ignite-powered editions on Xbox One and PS4.
FIFA Street 2 - Nintendo DS
The first FIFA Street pulled football out of its multi-million pound stadiums and brought the beautiful game to the playgrounds and tarmac courts outside. Although it got off to a shaky start across platforms, EA’s second attempt at the Street formula was a hit – for most. Home consoles like the PS2, Xbox and Gamecube were given improved gameplay and a tonne of new features, but the same cannot be said for the DS version. Some of the best improvements in the home console versions were left out, and when coupled with glitchy controls – to build up scoring potential by pulling off skills you have to flick a “trickstick” which is actually the DS’ highly unresponsive touchscreen – FIFA Street 2 has to go down as one of the worst FIFAs going.
FIFA 14 - Sony PS3
As the saying goes "if it ain’t broke don’t fix it", but if it’s a yearly football game, it’s probably worth updating more than the player names. Sadly, that’s what happened to FIFA 14 on the PS3. A few people loved the game even more than FIFA 13, but many think it actually managed to take a few steps backwards. Rather than superfit, internationally known athletes, most of the players run as if they’ve just sunk a Sunday roast – all thanks to a supposedly improved, more realistic movement system. The ball physics and stadiums did stay the same though.
FIFA 96 - Sega Game Gear
Released in 1991 as a competitor to the all conquering Game Boy, Sega’s ill-fated Game Gear ended up going out of production in 1997 – but not before playing host to one of the strangest FIFA games made. Although matches looked impressive on the Game Gear’s colour screen – something that set it apart from the Game Boy – there were a few issues under the surface. Insanely difficult in the opposition’s half, players found it impossible to keep the ball anywhere near the opponent's box. The solution? Massively overpowered shots meant that hoofing the ball from the halfway line was much easier, making heroic David Beckham-esque wondergoals routine, and scorelines like QPR 2-0 Italy all too commonplace.
UEFA EURO 2012 DLC - PC
A DLC pack announced for the PC, UEFA Euro 2012 promised updated kits, player rosters and licenses so you could recreate the 2012 European Championship from your sofa. The only catch? It just didn’t really. Usually so great when it comes to licenses, this PC DLC was a rare occasion of EA dropping the ball when it came to player names, a problem better associated with arch-rival Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer. Thanks to the inconsistent licensing – of 53 teams included, only 29 featured their actual players and names, rather than slightly questionable generic placeholders – the DLC was little more than a lick of paint, with the game mechanics remaining exactly the same as the previous title.
FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 - Xbox 360
Released just in time for the World Cup, 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa came out the very same season as FIFA 10 – so you can probably guess what clever scales of economy EA Sports found. Essentially a reskinned version of the 2010 game, the World Cup edition simply offered new player skins and updated stats, leaving most of the games mechanics and modes untouched. It did its best to portray the World Cup atmosphere though, with the 360 version slowly loading close ups of mascots, colourful fans and managers, as well as super-specific commentary. Luckily it did leave out one of the most memorable factors of the entire competition: those droning Vuvuzelas.
FIFA 15 - PC
Not to be outdone, even the very latest iteration of FIFA had its fair share of bugs. Just after launch, PC gamers noticed their players acting pretty oddly. Drawn to the middle of the pitch like eager school kids, games soon turned into a “jumpers for goalposts” farce – with most matches looking like a primary school showdown. Tactics went out the window, and dream teams like Barcelona’s Messi and Co played more like you and your mates during lunch break after double maths. Throw in sluggish players, impossibly hard shooting and some dodgy lighting effects, and FIFA 15 on PC wasn’t exactly EA’s finest 90 minutes. Thankfully, the studio quickly ironed out all the issues with a post release patch.
Get the best gaming stories delivered straight to your inbox with the Red Bull Games newsletter.
