FIFA Soccer suffered the most from the transition to handheld in the graphics department. The polygon players look pixilated from a distance and blurry up close. Animation frames skip when players are making flamboyant moves. Load times have also taken a few steps backwards on the evolutionary track; stutters and long load times are all too common here. This even happens during the game when the ball goes out of play; the field freezes for a few seconds as the ball crosses the boundary line.

The sound is affected equally negatively. Though the content is good, the execution of it all is poor. Commentators’ remarks are delayed, though not by a mile as is common in other console soccer games. Their comments are familiar to those who have played the other FIFA games since many of the lines have been reused, although there is some new content as well. The musical selection is a good one, comprising mostly of Euro-pop. The music, however, sometimes skips and, on occasion, all the sound turns into a static-filled mess that can only be remedied by resetting the PSP.

FIFA Soccer may look pint-sized compared to its console cousins, but the game packs a lot of punch for a handheld sports title. Instead of cutting certain features to fit the game on the PSP, EA reduced the content of each feature in order to fit it in the smaller platform, as well as adding some things that facilitate the portable experience. What this results in is a fun, well-rounded soccer game.

FIFA Soccer features enough modes to keep any futbol fanatic busy. All major leagues and international teams are represented, as are all the players, and you can take any of these teams into a full fledged Season, a Mid-Season scenario with real stats, or you can customize your own Season by mixing and matching teams from various leagues. All the big Tournaments are represented as well, and every team eligible for a Season can take a shot at their respective cup.

A Challenge mode is also present, and the challenges consist of two simple categories: Comeback and Rout. Comeback challenges plant you in the middle of a game in which you are losing and you must come back to win in the time remaining. Rout is the opposite: you are in the lead and you must score more goals for an overwhelming victory.

The Create-A-Player mode is surprisingly deep. Most of the regular options found in console games are present, like adjusting the minute details of a player’s nose, weight, height, hair, etc. You can also quickly go through pre-made body parts and assemble a player in a matter of minutes, then give them their stats and plop them down in any team you want.

FIFA Soccer gives you good reason to utilize all of these features; every time you go to a different feature and do something, you earn points that you can spend in the Game Store. Here, you can unlock new kits for teams, stadiums, balls, and new songs. Not only does this add to the overall content of the game, but it keeps the momentum up as you explore and play around with all of the different features.

FIFA Soccer has four different difficulty settings, which is more than enough to cater to players of all skills. Finding your niche is easy, and so is mastering the skills needed to play the game. The controls are simple enough to be played on the PSP, but don’t degrade the experience into something like an arcade game. They also have some depth to them, and learning to master the art of First Touch or performing feints is a difficult yet rewarding endeavor.

FIFA Soccer manages to fit all the important controls in the limited button real estate that the PSP offers. Tackles, passes, lobs, through balls... you name it and you can do it.

The franchise’s new First Touch mechanic is also included in the game. First Touch is the art of using an incoming ball’s momentum to spring the receiving player into action instead of having them get the ball flat footed and have to start the run all over again. As the ball comes close to the intended player, you simply press whatever direction you want to go in on the D-pad and the player takes off in that direction, timed with the ball’s arrival. The D-pad is also used to perform feints when you are in possession of the ball. Though these are all useful tactics, moving from the analog stick to the D-Pad and back again is not the easiest motion to perform. However, these moves are not impossible to utilize during a game and knowing them is essential to becoming a menace on the pitch.

The controls feel responsive and only suffer from problems found in most other soccer games. For instance, the X button is used for both switching players and passing the ball. The problem arises when two players are battling each other for the ball. “Control” of the ball, at least as far as the game is concerned, belongs to one of the two players. Control can switch back and forth if the fighting gets rough, and if you think you have the ball and try to pass it you will sometimes find you are wrong and end up changing players. These, along with some issues with aiming your passes, are minor inconveniences and can be forgiven over time.

FIFA Soccer is rough around the edges but definitely had a good first showing for the franchise on this new handheld. Of the two soccer games currently out for the PSP, FIFA Soccer is hands-down the victor. No portable soccer fan should do without this one.