When EA Sports launched the original FIFA video game back in 1993, it was notable for being the first to be officially licensed from FIFA. But the series of FIFA games soon became known for other reasons. They are arguably the best association football video games on the market, and with releases every year, there are now dozens of titles on the market. Indeed, the FIFA series of games are listed in the Guinness World Records as the world’s best-selling sports video game franchise. Ranking them isn’t easy, as favorite games often come down to personal preference. But here are our top five FIFA games ranked.
5. FIFA 10
The first FIFA video game of the 2010s saw some substantial changes to the core gameplay. Most notably: 360-dribbling. Prior to that change, players could only turn in eight directions, which made gameplay somewhat limited. It also created a lot of unfair moves, like defenders being able to move how they wanted but with limitations on how they tackled other players. With 360-dribbling, you can control players to make the tiniest of changes when tackling, for the utmost precision. FIFA 10 also includes an extended Manager Mode which features a new assistant manager who can take charge of your team’s line-up and rotate the squad accordingly. And with 50 stadiums and 31 leagues, you’re sure to have lots of fun playing FIFA 10. Of course, there are also plenty of other fantastic footie games you can play on consoles or online other than the FIFA franchise. For instance, if you’re a fan of slots, you will love playing the Football Star slot game, which is available at Casumo Casino.
4. FIFA 15
One of the best things about FIFA 15 is that it added all the Premier League stadiums to the game for the first time in the history of the franchise. It also features official scoreboards and television broadcast graphics. The detail of the stadiums is simply stunning. For the first time, Premier League clubs allowed their stadiums to be photographed in immaculate detail so that they could be recreated as perfectly as possible. On top of that, real-life chants and cheers from the crowd were recorded to be included in FIFA 15. Such elements make this game feel entirely immersive and realistic.
3. FIFA 08
FIFA 08 contains lots of fantastic features, but the thing that really elevates it from other games in the series is its Co-op Manager Mode. The feature allows up to four players to join a team, and create their professional characters. Each player controls their chosen character, and they are given objectives and goal numbers that they must attain over a season if they don’t want to be thrown out of the squad. The Co-op Manager Mode was the best thing to happen to football simulations since they were invented. And yet, for some strange reason, the mode was never used in another FIFA video game. FIFA 08 was also the first game in the franchise for Wii and PS3, and the Wii edition features some fabulous mini-games and motion controls.
2. FIFA 13
There are three elements of FIFA 13 that make it stand out from other games in the franchise. Firstly, its new Attacking Intelligence feature enables players to analyse space and think ahead automatically. Secondly, FIFA 13’s Touch Control eliminates near-perfect touches, which means defenders can take advantage of poor touches and win back possession of the ball. But the best element of FIFA 13 has nothing to do with the gameplay. It’s the soundtrack. The score is mesmerising, and it perfectly suits all the action of the pitch, helping to make FIFA 13 feel much more immersive than other games in the series.
1. FIFA 07
At the time of its release, FIFA 07 was undoubtedly the best of the series, and it still holds up today. It won numerous Game of the Year awards, and it is the seventh fastest-selling game of all time in the UK. The gameplay allows for ridiculously long shots and satisfying defending. It also features the Interactive Leagues function, the ability to create custom teams, and new stadiums like Emirates Stadium and Wembley Stadium. The mechanics of the game may not be as sophisticated as later games in the franchise. But for sheer fun and exhilaration, FIFA 07 wins hands-down.
Do you agree with our top five? Which is your favorite FIFA game of all time? Please let us know in the comments.