FIFA games evolution from 94-2020

FIFA 94

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The first ever Fifa game was released on 15 December 1993.

It was pretty ground-breaking, as it used isometric technology, instead of 16-bit style which was popular at the time.

The game only included national teams, and real player names were not used.

It was pretty famous for a bug that allowed you to score goals by standing in front of a goalkeeper, and running away from referees to avoid getting a card.

You could play it on consoles like the SNES and SEGA Megadrive.

FIFA 95

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FIFA 96

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First released on 30 September 1995, this is the first Fifa game to feature real-time 3D graphics using technology called “Virtual Stadium”.

Fifa 96 was also the first to have players with real player names and positions, as well as ranking, transfer and team customisation tools.

It was also the first Fifa game to contain a player/team editor, and was playable on consoles like PlayStation and Sega Saturn.

FIFA 97

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FIFA 98 – Road to World Cup

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This special version of Fifa came out on 8 November 1997, and had David Beckham on the cover!

It was the first game to have a licensed soundtrack featuring popular bands of the time, with the title track: Song 2 by Blur.

Players could change the strictness setting on the referee, meaning you could get away with a few cheeky fouls punishment-free!

Fifa 98 was also the first time the offside rule was properly included.

You could play it on consoles like the Nintendo 64 or PlayStation.

FIFA 99

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FIFA 2000

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Released on 26 October 1999, Fifa 2000 received some mixed reviews.

This is because players thought its graphics were too cartoonish, and the gameplay was pretty shallow.

Sol Campbell was the cover star, and the title song on the soundtrack was by Robbie Williams.

This version of the Fifa series had over 40 “classic” teams, so that you could play as retired football legends.

You could play it on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation and the GameBoy Colour.

FIFA 2001

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FIFA 2002

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FIFA 2003

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First released on 5 November 2002, the game had revamped graphics, with more realistic-looking players as well as the new Club Championship Mode.

One of the most anticipated features was EA Sport’s “Freestyle Control” which allowed the user to flick the ball on and lay it off to teammates.

EA Trax was also introduced, meaning players could listen to soundtracks in an exclusive music player.

This was also the first time you could play Fifa on the XBox and PlayStation 2.

FIFA 2004

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FIFA 2005

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FIFA 06

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Released on 4 October 2005 developers gave the game a big overhaul, meaning players had better control of play.

It also introduced the ‘team chemistry’ feature which shows you how well players will play together.

There was also a ‘retro’ feature which allowed players to watch some classic football moments, as well as giving players the chance to play the original Fifa 94 game.

Wayne Rooney and Ronaldinho were on the cover, and you could play it on consoles like the Nintendo GameCube and the XBox 360.

FIFA 07

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FIFA 08

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FIFA 09

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FIFA 10

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FIFA 11

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Released in Europe on 1 October 2010, Fifa 11 allowed players to play as a goalkeeper for the first time!

It also featured a better passing system, players who looked more real, and a new mode called Career Mode, where the player can play as a manager.

360 degree dribbling meant gamers had better control over players, and you could play it on consoles like the XBox 360, the Wii and the PlayStation 2.

FIFA 12

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FIFA 13

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FIFA 14

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Released on 26 September 2013, Fifa 14 was playable on the newly released PlayStation 4 and XBox One.

It used a new game engine called Ignite, which meant the game had changing weather conditions, and smarter artificial intelligence in the opposing players – to be closer to human behaviour.

The game also featured new signature goal celebrations from players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Lionel Messi.

FIFA 15

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FIFA 16

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FIFA 17

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FIFA 18

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FIFA 19

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Released on 28 September 2018, last year’s Fifa featured star player Ronaldo on the box.

The Uefa Champions League, Europa League, and Uefa Super Cup competitions were introduced into the game.

The character Alex Hunter – who first appeared in Fifa 17 – returned for the third time in “The Journey.”

New kick-off modes: house rule, survival, no rules, long range, header and volley, and ‘first to mode’.

FIFA 20

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Modified article – BBC