EA’s FIFA series has been around for quite some time, and while each year brings a guaranteed new installment, the upgrades aren’t always for the better (just ask Madden fans). Road to the World Cup tries some new things, but it ultimately seems like a step back from earlier versions.
Tag: Electronic Arts
NHL ’97
EA’s seminal hockey series lasted well into the twilight of the 16-bit era, and while fans will debate which is the best installment, the series never really dropped its overall level of quality. That’s pretty impressive compared to the many other sports franchises that floundered as time wore on, and the 1997 edition of NHL is proof positive that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” does work.
Jordan vs. Bird: Super One-on-One
One would think that a basketball game feature two of the greatest athletes to ever play would be a no-brainer for greatness. Unfortunately, Electronic Arts proved us wrong. Stiff, unintuitive gameplay overshadows some excellent presentation, and what should have been the definitive version of One-on-One ends up bench-warming for all the others instead.
NHLPA Hockey ‘93
Electronic Arts has long been associated with quality sports games, but some of its releases have flown a bit under the radar, and with good reason. The NHLPA Hockey series evolved into the popular and long-lived NHL juggernaut, but did EA hit the rink running with this initial installment or serve up a body check? Read on and see!
FIFA Soccer ’96 (32X)
Sandwiched between the 16-bit and true 32-bit versions, FIFA Soccer ’96 for the 32X is a middle child that actually deserves its neglect. It does nothing to stand out, and it offers little reason for a purchase over its siblings, outside of collecting. Still, it’s undoubtedly the best soccer game on the 32X.