FIFA 99 - PlayStation

Also known as: FIFA Soccer 99

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Also for: PC, N64
Viewed: 3D Third-person, floating camera Genre:
Sport: Football - Soccer
Arcade origin:No
Developer: Electronic Arts Soft. Co.: Electronic Arts
Publishers: Electronic Arts (GB/GB/GB/US/JP)
Released: 1999 (GB)
Unknown (US/JP)
Ratings: 3+
Features: Vibration Compatible
Accessories: Analogue JoyPad, Memory Card, Multi Tap

Summary

“FIFA 99? That’s just so 20th century, dahling!” Well maybe that’s what fans of football video games may say, but hey! Cut the snobbery! You can wait for the next big thing all you like, but the hard fact is that FIFA 99 is a very good game and should not be overlooked because of its numeric suffix. As is the case with the majority of Electronic Arts’ sports titles, there’s everything here in FIFA 99 bar the half-time cup of tea. You can always make your own, and while you’re in there, mine’s milky with one sugar.

EA’s FIFA series started out with the ’95 variant and has crossed platforms with varying degrees of success. PlayStation-wise, 1998’s World Cup 98 was pretty much cancelled out by the much superior Road To The World Cup. Both games obviously revolved around international teams, whereas this latest incarnation focuses largely on club football with a couple of dozen national teams thrown into the mix. Friendlies, League and Cup competition make the obligatory appearances, with the latter two modes being fully customisable. There’s a Training mode to brush up on your penalty and corner-taking techniques, amongst others, and for those with at least one friend and a spare joypad, there is the splendid Golden Goal mode. Set a target of goals between one and ten and see who gets there first. It’s a lot of fun playing against the computer in this mode, but so much better with a friend.

All this and well synchronised commentary from Messrs. Lineker, Motson and Waddle, authentically modelled stadia, delightful goal celebrations and more statistics than a week-long audit at an, erm, enormous auditing company, FIFA 99 should satisfy any PSX footy player. It’s cheap but in no way is it nasty.