Goal takes you through the evolution of the FIFA video game series, starting from its first incarnation as a pixellated 16-bit arcade-like game
The latest edition of the popular video game FIFA features high-end graphics and crisp user interplay as well as stunning gameplay features – but playing FIFA wasn't always this aesthetically pleasing.
Goal rewinds the clock and takes a look at how FIFA's gaming interface has evolved over the years, starting off as a game that looked as if it belonged in the arcade next to Super Mario Bros.
Giantbomb1FIFA International Soccer
The very first incarnation of FIFA as we know it was called 'FIFA International Soccer' and released in 1993, riding the wave of traditional 16-bit games, and only featured national teams. Real player names were not used!
A notorious bug allowed the player to score by standing in front of the goalkeeper so that the ball rebounded against him and into the net
AdvertisementGiantbomb2FIFA 95
Using the same mechanisms and featuring only minor upgrades, FIFA 95 was the first edition to introduce club teams within eight national leagues: Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, and the United States.
Gamespot3FIFA 96
FIFA 96 was the first game to feature real-time 3D graphics on specific platforms, and was also the first to present players with real player names and positions, alongside ranking, transfer and team customisation tools.
The Brazilian teams, however, had faulty rosters – having included some long-retired players that were only corrected in FIFA 99 – and the American league still consisted of entirely fake teams and players.
Giantbomb4FIFA 97
A huge introduction in FIFA 97 was the 6-a-side indoor feature with polygonal players, and the game increased their number of playable leagues to include Malaysia.
This version was also the first to feature in-game commentary by John Motson, alongside Andy Gray and Des Lynam introducing the matches.
