FIFA Football 2002 ( EA Sports )

By PETER ELEY*

EA Sports is a virtual assembly line of software games. As with cars, last year's model will still get you from A to B, but hey, the latest one looks nicer.

FIFA Football 2002 is a perfect example. There wasn't much wrong with the previous version, but FIFA 2002's graphics are a definite improvement, thanks to better hardware.

The good news is that FIFA 2002 will run on a Pentium 200 with just 32mb ram, although a 3D accelerator is needed.

Keeping games fresh year-in, year-out is a challenge EA manages to rise to most of the time.

This year's innovations include more recognisable players, more realistic grounds and crowd scenes, and a simplified way of controlling and passing the ball.

A really neat trick lets you get a teammate to run ahead to take a through ball. Get it right and you have every chance of scoring, just make sure you beat the offside trap.

The FIFA series is officially licensed which means a game with real teams and real players.

This franchise gives FIFA 2002 the chance to leverage off the 2002 World Cup, and you can take your team through the qualifying rounds.

No finals, though. EA's an old hand and you can be sure FIFA World Cup 2002 is on the way.

*peter_eley@nzherald.co.nz