Kick it with 'FIFA 2003'

Every updated EA Sports game in 2002 made huge leaps from its 2001 predecessor. Now, with a new onslaught of 2003 versions, EA has improved on its formula, but just by tweaking an almost perfect model anyway. This is no different with "FIFA 2003."\nEA did not create a new game, and the game is played almost exactly like "FIFA 2002," but there are some little extras that make it worth owning. There is the always-impressive season mode, playable with more than 350 teams, and even more impressive are the 8,000 real players on these teams. There are also a bunch of different tournaments that can be played with the 16 different leagues, and an international tournament that is pretty much the World Cup without the licensing.\nA new feature is the Club Championship mode, where you take control of one of the 18 best European teams like Arsenal or Juventas, and compete against their rivals. This is an interesting addition, but in reality all it really is, is a season in which there are no easy wins.\nGameplay is very similar to the previous versions, but this too has some small, but good, additions. First off, before doing anything, change the "power up" setting. If this is not done, scoring is virtually impossible, since your kick will be too powerful, thus making it inaccurate. Dribbling and passing take time to perfect, but once you do, you realize that the changes made are necessary to make the game more realistic.\nAnother awesome addition is the free kick. Outside of the penalty box, you are now faced with a meter that has to be timed perfectly, as well as an aiming target and the option to put spin on the ball. This is the best addition to the new version, and putting the ball into the back of the net with Mr. Posh Spice, David Beckham (Manchester United), after your roommate purposely trips you is the best feeling one can get when playing a video game.\nUnlike other sports games, most of the team rosters do not need updating, so a new version is not always necessary, but if you do not own a soccer game, this is the one to have. Even if you do, and are bored with last year's, you won't be disappointed with "FIFA 2003"