Dig it, I know this review is a few years late, but I’m in the mood. I love FIFA and this is one of my favorite FIFA games from my favorite tournament.

Why? Selfish reasons, but I was lucky enough to go to a Tournament match back in 2002 in Korea. The energy was so awesome and I enjoyed every minute of the match. I gobbled this game up the minute I saw it on the shelf. It does nothing but remind me of my World Cup experience and I’ve played it and loved this game ever since.

So, yeah, this is a totally biased review. Sure, the newer systems all have FIFA games and they’re all super silky and fluid and more life-like than FIFA World Cup 2002, but I don’t care.

As with all FIFA video games, but especially the World Cup video games, presentation is off the charts. There’s a pomp and pageantry about the game that really makes you feel like you’re a part of The Tournament. From the orchestrated team entrances to the full orchestral arrangements in the music, it’s all here.

Over the top? Maybe, but FIFA games are best that way.

Graphics are equally awesome. You’ll almost feel the grass on the pitch and the players are all well modeled. Each has their own unique personality. With a game of only the teams that made the tournament, there aren’t any classic teams or any outsiders. It’s all about the World Cup Teams.

There’s a lot of extra care that went into the players. This comes off really well on Team Korea with certain players doing their best Dennis Rodman impression of ever changing hair colors and styles.

From the players up, each stadium in the game is meticulously recreated. A lot of the little details in the stadium are here. From how the seats are arranged and how the grass on the pitch is patterned, it’s all how I remember it in real life.

Sounds of the game are equally impressive. The announcers rarely miss a beat and they actually do a great job of describing the action and what’s going on. Little tidbits of local trivia round out the announcers and they’re not as annoying as some other games.

The crowd noise is where it’s at. It’s not just simple chants of D-Fence or the team names, but the crowd here chants and sings national songs and really gets you that much more in the game.

Controls, are silky smooth and you can bend the ball like you’re a super striker. How cool is that? Players respond and the evil sliding tackle is your best friend here. You’ll do flip kicks, ball juggles, and host of other moves. Everything from the header to the kill the other player’s shins, are all here.

It’s a great balance of simulation and action that makes FIFA World Cup 2002 fun. All the games that follow are equally fun, but like I said earlier, the World Cup games are the best in my opinion.

Nothing like a few matches in the video game world to get you into the real game. You can understand the rules and nuances of the game before you watch the real thing.

So get to it folks! Rent it, find it, whatever. Slap a FIFA game in your console…now!

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