The Evolution of Soccer Games

With the confirmation that EA Sports are releasing "2010 FIFA World Cup" on April 27th, franchises like "Sensible Soccer" and "International Superstar Soccer" are all but forgotten about. This article and the accompanying video were done in pure appreciation and to let you relive some of those defining games of the genre. So far in terms of advancement in football games FIFA 10 is arguably the best football title around although a number of Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) fans would have something to say about that. There have been a number of ground-breaking titles in the past and others that are better forgotten about.

Sensible Soccer, Ultimate Soccer, Super Soccer & Italia 90 were some of the early titles that encapsulated football fans across the world. For me it was Italia 90 that started it despite a number of horrific glitches such as being able to score a cross from the edge of the box every time with ease, but this was only a minor hitch in a game which started competitive gaming for me at the tender age of five with my older brother. Brazil and Italy were inevitably the best teams on the game that was played from a birds eye view. But on the whole, amongst my friends and the consensus among the wider gaming community, Sensible Soccer was the king of the early days and created an undeniable dynasty in gaming. "Sensi" topped charts such as Amiga Power.

FIFA International Soccer was released July 1993 and moved football games into the 16 bit era, and famously the player could run away from the referee when being given a yellow card, however play would not resume until the referee caught up with him, and this would lead to a direct red card due to the incident. Sensible World of Soccer released in 1994 became a first in video games when it attempted to include the entire professional footballing world into a single title featuring career modes which included both player and management roles as well as numerous club and country teams, many of which were a bit odd. Take nothing away from it though, this even made a list of the top ten most important video games of all time by New York Times.

FIFA 96 represented undoubtedly the biggest advances in the genre in the 90s; Silicon Graphics, modeled players utilizing MotionDesign animation technology. New moves included 1-2 passing, fast dribble, volleys, dummies, fakes, and nutmegs - the beginnings of the modern day game. The game incorporated real players with real attributes. FIFA 97 offered very little in the way of novelty apart from the indoor arena, something I've been hoping to surface again for the past 13 years or so. FIFA Road to World Cup 98 was next and created a benchmark in graphics and gameplay for football games to follow, but it would be a long while before EA Sports would resurface as the top franchise as it is today.

Personally speaking, International Superstar Soccer 64 (ISS 64) was the best football game of all time, and it's important to mention the N64 controller. It brought an authentic arcade feel to your sofa and an unexplainable competitive streak amongst your friends, everyone had to be the best. Realism was not why this game was so good, the fact that it lacked licenses didn't matter, David Beckham was called Decham, Alan Shearer was Shoarer, none of this was an issue, merely something amusing. The fluid gameplay and the element of tangible skill amongst gamers made it a huge success. Anyone remember the "Z" button for curling? You could zig-zag left to right. ISS 98 soon followed and was equally highly rated although unfortunately there were still no official licenses.

This is Football (TIF) 2003 represented an alternative to more FIFA like gameplay and had potential, but in truth you would have been mad to have chosen this or its successor TIF 2005 over any PES titles, for me I would rather play the original PES over either of these. The franchise died abruptly.

Pro Evolution Soccer 1,2,3,4,5 or 6, take a pick, they were all magnificent in their own right. A strong continuation of what ISS 98 left behind, they controlled the majority of the fans of the genre for almost a decade. Even though it was still lacking in almost all the licenses, FIFA struggled to match the freedom and fluidity of the Pro Evolution series. Sure PES had it's flaws as a realistic game, but why should it have to be realistic? What also made it so great was the condition of the players prior to a game, the smiley faces indicating what percentage of his potential a player could perform at, this could affect your game! My style was all dribbling with very little passing; highly unrealistic when I would walk it past 10 players but everyone had their own style of playing. Some were tentative and patient, others more full on and attacking minded, others would sit back and play on the break, but the great thing is that all styles worked. I may be sticking my neck on the line, but I believe the PES franchise has created the most intense competition amongst friends than any other game in history, or if you don't agree, surely in football gaming, and a lot of that was down to how diverse it was.

The re-emergence of EA Sports was most apparent with FIFA 09, a game that made a lot of Pro Evo heads turn. PES 6 and 2009 didn't improve enough bearing in mind the next gen opportunities presented. The simple reality was that EA Sports had finally cracked enjoyable, smooth and sophisticated gameplay and with that making it hard to be good which is another thing that Konami did so well. The release of PES 2010 all but confirmed this shift for me, yes there are improvements in the game, but I've been turned, something I never thought I would say. The introduction of 360 dribbling, new usable skills, formations, the licenses, the graphics, ultimate team, and most of all, what is all important in this day and age, the strength of online play which PES severely lacks in.

There you have it, the evolution of football gaming, and it would have to be said Konami were the Charles Darwin, but EA Sports are the scientists who will make the biggest advances on this genre.

If you disagree in any way, if there is any game that deserves a mention or you want a game, feel free to comment.

Thomas Rodwell