If this list was being written back in 2005, there's no way Fifa would have made the cut. Instead, we'd be singing the praises of Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer, hailing it the finest football series the world would ever see. Even back then FIFA had the upper hand in licensing, but very few people cared. Eventually however EA realised that gameplay was massively important too and they upped their game considerably with the 2009 addition, leading to now where FIFA is the biggest sports series in the world with PES quietly releasing every year to very little fanfare. Of course, it isn't flawless; it's problems are wide and varied. Still, when it works, it works beautifully. Yes, it's unbelievably frustrating to have Ibarbo waltz through your defence to plant a header in your goal but it's just as satisfying to go back up the other end and bag a 30 yard screamer. It's a game that breeds competition naturally; every game feels like a cup final, one that you're desperately trying to win to claim virtual glory. Every game seems to be a different experience. A nerve wracking 0-0 where one mistake from either player will ruin them. A 5-4 thriller where every shot seems to fly in. A 6-0 demolition where one player dominates the other from start to finish. If you need further evidence of just how important winning a game on Fifa is, search through YouTube and look at some of the over-the-top reactions to a last-minute game settling goal; the new-age definition of schadenfreude is totally applicable for these videos. FIFA is not a matter of life or death; it's much more important than that.
I have an addiction to achievements, a craving for new bands and a dream to become Captain America. I once finished second in a Mario Kart 7 tournament so I'm kind of a big deal.
