Fifa Soccer 2003 (EA Sports, PC G)

By PETER ELEY

(Herald rating: * * * * )

Sports games seem to play better on consoles, but Fifa Soccer 2003 is one that scores on the PC. There's a catch, though.

The reason such games suit the PS2, Xbox or GameCube is that console controllers are better at handling fast-moving games than the standard mouse and key combinations of the PC.

And to get the best out of Fifa Soccer 2003, you need an analogue gamepad such as Microsoft's Gamepad Pro or the Gravis Eliminator.

But it does work with a mouse, and whatever your choice of controller, the graphics are still mind blowing.

At a quick, casual glance, you would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the game and a real telecast. Fifa Soccer 2003 is of course an upgrade of earlier Fifa titles, but the graphics model has been given a makeover.

Most well-known players are instantly recognisable, and move fluently across highly detailed pitches in realistic stadiums accurately modelled from the real thing.

The depth of the game is impressive. All the European leagues are covered — that's almost 400 teams and 10,000 players. And you can play internationals, too.

But it is probably most fun playing as one of the super teams in European competition such as the Champions' League.

The game's dynamics are quite different from the earlier Fifa games. Passing is easier, although some of the more ambitious moves work best with a gamepad.

Hitting the back of the onion sack is much easier — possibly too easy. I managed to rack up 10-8 playing Liverpool against Real Madrid.

peter_eley@nzherald.co.nz