K-project

I love the cut move (C button, and a move either left or right on the remote when you're jogging). It reminds me of the same move on the old PES3 and 4 games on the PS2, where you did the same but with R2 and a wiggle of the analogue, and it's just as effective. Still no reviews around the net though. Websites are terrified of reviewing Wii games!

Have you tried holding the C button down while performing the cross the usual way (A+B)? That's what I've been doing for faster crosses. It sounds a bit complicated, but it's not in practice.

What a cobblers review. I think I just about disagreed with every point made, and it just sounds like a fanboy's love letter to PES. Do these people actually play the games they review? What's all that about last years version being "closer to PES than - frankly - we’d ever imagined it getting"? I don't know about you, but I feel that more than ever before FIFA has become it's own game and not some cheapo, fully licensed knock-off of PES. I used to play both FIFA 07 and PES5 when I had my Xbox, and I have to say they were different enough to warrant owning both, and they both had loads to offer the football fan. I never once thought, "isn't FIFA07 really similar to PES"? Because it isn't remotely. I've long been a PES/ISS fan, and have also since '99 been playing the FIFA games too. I can't speak for the PS2 version of 08 (which is what they're reviewing here isn't it?) but for me the Wii version is the best FIFA I've ever played.

Check out the manual - there's a load of whipped crosses etc. For a good start try A + B for the cross. The longer you hold B down, the faster and further the ball travels, though in practice I always just hold both down for the longer ball since it's a bit more intuitive and produces the same results. The Football Academy tells you all about things like this, and it's worth your time having a go through it.

Well it's both really! I know that doesn't help you, but it's certainly a bit more realistic than last years version, and the remote definitely adds to the fun. I've not played the 360 or PS3 versions, but I haven't found the Wii version lacking from a gameplay point of view. Why not pop into a store and try it out. Do bear in mind though, that it's a bit of a sod at first to get used to the controls.

Glad it's not just me! Top fun isn't it? I started with the tutorials first for the main game, and dived straight. Consequently, I've only just discovered the table football. I can't believe such a simple thing can work so well on the Wii. Such a simple throwaway concept. The only real gripe for me is the missing Manager mode as many have said. I know there's an online equivalent, but really I'm more disappointed at EA's decision to actually remove content for the Wii version. Especially as they've got all the other aspects of a FIFA game down so well. I can only hope it makes a return in next years version. What camera is everyone using now? Once I got good with the controls, I switched it over to Tele, which is a side view camera. It works just as well as the FreeMotion one. In fact I prefer it tbh. No mine's the same too. I thought it might be my game too, so I'm glad you've mentioned this.

My apologies for causing confusion over the widescreen issue. FIFA definitely is widescreen, it's just me and my daft eyes, obviously! I set my Wii to 4:3 just to see if I could spot the difference, and there was clearly a difference, with everyone looking very squished in 4:3 on my widescreen set. Set it back to 16:9, and it all looks better. It's just that it looked a little bit peculiar to me at first, and I couldn't tell if it was a genuine 16:9 picture. You might see what I mean when/if you get it. I have to say I am thoroughly enjoying this. The game is much better than 07 to me, with some much swifter movement, passing and shooting. I'm now a bit more proficient with the controls, and have moved the camera angle to the more traditional side view, and it's brilliant. It all works really well. Whacking a shot off with the remote is great fun, and curiously satisfying. All complaints that "you kick a ball with your feet, not your hands" are forgotten once you get used to it. I have to say though, that the controls are quite complex at first. There will be an acclimatising period with FIFA. That said, I've only had it a day and can't say I'm having too much bother. Dying to know what everyone thinks!

You don't tilt the remote to curl the ball. You use the left analogue as you usually would. The remote is used for shots of varying power, and for goal kicks and ball clearances. It works well imho. I suspect those hardcore PES'ers will turn their noses up, but that's a shame since the gameplay depth is still all there intact. Unfortunately the online option isn't one I want to take Platty, but nevertheless there's still no excuse for removing the career mode. But I'm suitably impressed with things so far and won't be returning it just because its missing. I'm disappointed yes, but the game is great fun to play so it would be churlish to return it on those grounds. I'm still interested in hearing about other people's experiences regarding my criticisms earlier though, so please let me know.

Quite incredulously, my copy has turned up today too. A day early, and only posted yesterday - excellent. So far it's all looking good. I really like the controls and graphics etc. I don't want to alarm anyone though, but I cannot seem to find a widescreen setting anywhere. I've checked my Wii settings, and all is correct, but FIFA only seems to play in 4:3. All the players are squished up. Also, there seems to be an awful lot of disc access going on. I know my Wii is OK, it's fine with all my other games, but with FIFA it seems to be constantly busy, leaving commentary out of place and crowd noises out of whack. Hmmmm... In other news, the management mode is indeed absent. It might be unlockable I suppose, but I doubt it. It's a pity since it's a lovely solid game. The controls are quite complex, but I like that and it gives me loads to get my teeth into. Let me know how you get on with it dudes.

Hmmm...it sounds kinda fun, but I'm seriously annoyed about the lack of a career mode. I just know it's going to disappoint me now. Couple that with the fact that I'm not going to get it in time for the release day (thanks bloody play.com) and I'm just a seething mass of disillusioned Wii football-ness...or something. My fingers are crossed still...

How do you know this? That's really annoying if it's true. Even the GC version of 07 had that. I don't think I would have bought it if I'd known. So all we get is a bunch of leagues to play through? Back to play.com with this then!

I can't say since I don't have Zelda yet (the missus is getting it for me for Christmas), but it would be an unfair comment anyway as TP was developed with the GC in mind, and was ported over to the Wii for it's launch. It would be perhaps a bit unreasonable to expect a ground breaking revelation in Wii motion sensing from a title that was developed with another system in mind first and foremost. I can't honestly say I've experienced any Wii remote "dodginess" as you say. I can name games where it's use is wholly pointless and gimmicky, but I try to only but the games where the Wii controls are a properly considered impementation. To that end my experiences of it have been positive, and for the most part more accurate than a regular analogue pad. It might be this accuracy that frightens some gamers off I reckon.

He's surely talking about a Nintendo business model from 15 years ago!! Most games prices are the same nowadays, but I certainly remember Perry complaining about having to charge huge prices for Earthworm Jim carts (compared to the relatively cheaper Nintendo published games) many years ago. He made a fair point then, that it was almost impossible to compete on the same grounds as Nintendo 15 years ago, but this arguement simply doesn't stand up today. Nintendo's current business model is surely just as fair as the Microsoft and Sony equivalents, unless someone wants to enlighten me here. As for the "slop" in the Wii controller, it all depends on which games you play, but for the most part I have to say the controller has got no "slop" at all. I for one couldn't go back to the GC version of Resi 4 for example with it's anaolgue control sticks. There's too many gaps in the control mechanism for me now, and it lurches around compared to the beautiful, tight controls in the Wii version. Ditto stuff like Excite Truck and Wii Sports, and no doubt Metroid Prime 3 and Mario Galaxy will underline these examples too. The controller has delivered in my opinion. We can't still be doubting that now surely? He really can't be playing it properly. It all sounds very bitter doesn't it? What's Dave actually up to these days? I used to love Earthworm Jim.

Woah. Have I missed something? I thought the thing was due out shortly here, so does that mean we get it before Japan? If so, and the current state is not so good, I'm a bit worried. I've got this on pre-order since I'm a big fan of the Saturn original, but I hope they don't rush this out for the sake of it.

I'll certainly get this alongside FIFA, but what a crazy release date. The season will be practically over by then. You get the feeling that Konami had no intentions of doing anything for Nintendo at all, then the Wii took off and they simply had to do something. I have a sneaky feeling this actually won't be very good, but I hope I'm wrong. A look at those screens to me looks much like FIFA on Wii: graphically much like the old Xbox games. Just please get the gameplay right here Konami.

Hmmm.... Nintendo certainly know how to make this console seem desirable and much sought after (either real or engineered) with press releases like this. They just love the idea that there's a bunch of consumers rushing around trying to buy these things in panic because they have been told it'll be hard to find. I don't expect it's a popular point of view, but I don't like this type of "publicity". I don't like engineered and stage-managed demand. The Wii is a very popular item, that's for sure, but I have no doubt Nintendo will have plenty of stocks for Christmas after reading Reggie's comments. And if they don't...well tough break.

I got it for £17.97 off thehut.com. What a barg! Pity it's gone now.

This is probably one of the most under-rated games ever, and a hidden gem for Wii owners. I picked it up very cheaply, but it's one of the few times a game is actually worth full price. I've not had such fun on a racing game since Sega Rally on the Saturn, and I can't believe Wii fans didn't get this in huge numbers. It's just such fun simply playing the game, even if you don't win, because the controls are so well done. Well recommended to anyone considering this game.

Loyalty and love? What crazy reasons to buy a video games system. I have a Wii because I see the potential of a new way of controlling games. I've long been a fan of Nintendo since the NES days, but as for loyalty...I'll save feelings like that for things that matter other than videogames. And thankyou Tapedeck for underlining the difference between motion sensing and this "waggle" that people seem to talk about. I would have thought that as Wii owners we would be aware of the difference after playing games like Resident Evil 4 and Excite Truck and Sports etc, but it seems sadly not to be the case. Apparently all we're doing when we play Wii games is "waggling" a stick. I say again, I haven't seen anything in the new FIFA videos that gives me the impression that you'll be just waggling a stick to play. It seems to me they're trying hard to implement the Wii remote cleverly and sensibly. Until it proves itself either way, I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be good I reckon.

When is this out? It's looking pretty good. Bodes well for a Wii Burnout hopefully.

I agree. This whole discussion has gotten very silly indeed. It sounds like people are complaining about having to use a new type of controller with this game, and would be much happier using a regular pad for it. The idea that footie on a console is more realistic/correct using thumbs to control it is silly, and I would have thought that simply by owning Wii's we'd be up for the idea of a new way of controlling a football game. I maintain that if EA just put in a generic waggle to pass the ball, then I'll be fecked off. But, if they subtly implement the Wii remote motion sensing to enhance the gameplay then this could be amazing. The Wii remote has proved it can do great things and enhance games you thought you knew. The only thing in question in my mind is the developers ability to utilise it cleverly. But as Demuwan says, let's just see what they come up with. I'm buying it for sure, so if it turns out crap, I'll be sure and post up my honest opinion.

Eh? Who's falling out?

Hehe! Keep that shoulder handy, I might need to have a weep on it if they fluff it up! I think the thing is, I have no doubts that the Wii controller could be used in a subtle manner to enhance a football game. The Wii remote's integrity is not under question to me. The only thing that could go wrong is if EA don't implement it well. I remain pretty confident that it'll be good though, based on what I've seen so far. I'm still keeping my pre-order, and looking forward to it.

I honestly don't see how controlling FIFA using motion sensing in this way is going to be any more difficult to get used to than when I first started playing, say, Resident Evil 4 on Wii after the GC version. Or Excite Truck's subtle tilts after years of thumbing Burnout's vehicles. There was certainly an acclimatising period at first, but now I could never go back to the GC Resi for example. But yep, you can't underestimate that initial "Wha...the...?" I agree that there may be some who'll try it and go, "no thanks" and wander back to their 360's for footie fun. But until the game actually makes an appearance I remain open-minded of the concept, and I do believe it'll work very well and be testament to the subtlety of the Wii remote. It looks to me to be respectfully implemented. If they'd released a leg strap I would have been very upset, because to me that's just a gimmick designed for adverts, and wouldn't enhance the game one iota. But from what I've seen of the videos so far, I'm quite pleased with the approach and reckon it'll suit the Wii well. Now the Wii has really taken off, sports games are going to be hugely important in it's future. I don't think EA will mess this up with ad pleasing "waggle". I think they'll get this right because they simply must. I certainly hope so anyway. I'll be heartbroken if they bugger it up!

I think if any developer just sticks "generic waggle" into any game, then I would be very disappointed. Motion sensing hardware in a football game on the other hand, is a tremendous, potentially revolutionary method of controlling a football game imo. I can't understand why people get upset at the idea of using gestures in games. It kind of reminds of the rebellious bunch who complained about analogue sticks when they were introduced. I don't see how using a movement of the hand to shoot a ball is any different to using my thumbs to do it when all is said and done. If EA expect me to leap around the living room waving the remote like a wally in order to control the players then I for one would be plenty miffed. But if they subtly integrate motion sensing into the game properly and intelligently, then they get my money. Leaping around is for adverts.