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EA Sports cashes in on World Cup Fever. The 2006 FIFA World Cup is currently underway and has taken the world by storm. Although soccer isn’t as popular in the United States as it is elsewhere, EA Sports’ FIFA series has developed a loyal following throughout the years. 2006 FIFA World Cup is easily recommendable to gamers looking for their World Cup fix. The Gameboy Advance version isn’t nearly as compelling as the other alternatives, but it may satisfy the most ardent of soccer fans.
2006 FIFA World Cup includes the expected game modes. You’ll find exhibition, kick-off mode, penalty shootouts, and global challenge. In exhibition, you’ll play a regular game with some options such as changing the wind direction. Kick off mode lets you tweak some other variables, such as giving a certain team some goals before you begin. In global challenge, you’re given a specific objective to accomplish. The game also allows you to simulate games. As expected, the game includes the ability to take a team of your choice through the World Cup competition. In this mode, you’re free to choose any team that you want. Once you choose this team, you can play through a whole season to make sure you qualify for the finals or move right to them. If you don’t want to play all of the games you can simulate them.
In terms of gameplay, the game offers a nuanced game of soccer though it obviously isn’t as complex as the console versions. It has a quicker pace and you’ll notice more goals since it is possible to score a goal by running with the same player through the field. That isn’t to say that the AI is bad because it’s not, but it’s just a bit arcadeier.
2006 FIFA World Cup includes local multiplayer. This works well for the most part although the game only supports two players and they both need a copy of the game.
The game’s visuals are fairly basic. The soccer players are rudimentary with the same skin tone and only two different hair colors. The animation is a bit stiff and you’ll notice that the moves don’t always connect. The game doesn’t attempt to recreate any real stadiums. In fact, you’re basically playing on the game one with a different ground type (normal, wet, etc).
The audio complements the visuals well. The soundtrack is typical EA Trax fare and although not the best quality, is still pretty good considering the game is on the GBA. The game doesn’t have commentary and sound effects are less impressive, the crowd still manages to show real excitement.
The Gameboy Advance version is decent, but it doesn’t come close to capturing the World Cup as well as the console versions or even the DS version.
--Adam Nunez & -- Jose Liz, PGNx Media
---- Jun 27, 2006
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