FIFA 09 (PS3) (PlayStation 3 Games)

Football really is coming home

Be A Pro mode vastly expanded, much more weight to your players, so many little touches to make it look like a real game of football

Despite a few grumbles, FIFA 09 is the king of the football tree because it plays a fantastic game of football: Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is going to have to be truly special to reclaim top spot

Despite a few grumbles, FIFA 09 is the king of the football tree because it plays a fantastic game of football: Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is going to have to be truly special to reclaim top spot

Here in the UK, FIFA and Pro Evo's annual October release is practically a national holiday. Both always have excellent opening weekends and debate over which is the better of the two floods the internet for days afterward. It used to be a very clear...

Ultimately, FIFA have improved on their previous effort, perhaps knowing fully that the ball is in Konami's court to improve this year. If Pro Evo was still at its best, then FIFA 09 would be a genuine alternative. As it is right now, FIFA is the new...

The passion and the glory (and the occasional mind-numbing frustration)

Finally, football is back to where it should be on PS3 – at the top of our mostplayed lists. But FIFA 09 still has the capacity to annoy beyond all reason, especially when it’s playing in goal.

The FIFA franchise has brought the worlds biggest sport to millions of people, from many different countries. EA are back again with FIFA 09, hoping to again get you to hand over your hard earned (in most cases) money.

Perhaps the best FIFA ever ; Fluid movement and physics

Still areas to improve ; in management and Be A Pro

The meat of the game however has had a major overhaul, with EA claiming 250 changes in the gameplay. For once this claim can be visibly seen, with player animations, ball physics and overall game play much, much better then previous titles. The ball...

The Spain of footy games: finally coming good on the pitch...

The best FIFA game yet and a big, big improvement over last year. Can PES keep up?

Does this year's FIFA have what it takes to win the title race?

EA Sports raises its game

With over 250 improvements FIFA is odds-on to win the big match this season...

Gameplay has improved immeasurably ; Jostling system sets a new standard ; Highly believable AI

Chaotic 10v10 action ; No crossover between Be A Pro single-player and online ; Players still not quite individual enough

Vast improvements to the action on the pitch and the game in general means that FIFA 09 is certainly PES' equal this year, and we'd be inclined to suggest it makes significant strides beyond Konami's effort in many ways. Time will tell whether it has...

Fitbah' as they say, is a game of two halves. Virtual games are no exception, the standard halves are those who PES and them that FIFA. Up until the last few years, everything was clearly in PES's favour. But socks have been a-raising recently, and as...