FIFA Soccer 96

North American Saturn cover art, featuring Ioan Sabău
Developer(s) Extended Play Productions
Probe Entertainment (SNES, Game Boy and Game Gear)
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Black Pearl Software (Game Boy and Game Gear)
Series FIFA
Platform(s) Windows
DOS
Sega 32X
Sega Mega Drive
SNES
Game Boy
Sega Game Gear
PlayStation
Sega Saturn
Release date(s)

Genesis

  • NA: 1995
  • EU: November 30, 1995

Windows

  • NA: September 30, 1995

PlayStation

  • NA: November 1995
  • EU: 1995

Game Boy

  • NA: December 1995
  • EU: 1996

Game Gear

Super Nintendo Entertainment System

  • NA: November 1995
  • EU: November 23, 1995
Genre(s) Sports
Mode(s) Single player, Multiplayer

FIFA Soccer 96 (also known as FIFA 96: Virtual Soccer Stadium) is a video game developed by Extended Play Productions and released by Electronic Arts in 1995. It was released for the Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Saturn, Sega 32X, Sega Game Gear, PlayStation, Super Nintendo Entertainment System and DOS systems.

FIFA 96 is the third entry in the FIFA Series, its tagline being Next Generation Soccer. It was the first in the series to feature real-time 3D graphics on the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, 32X, and DOS versions, using technology called "Virtual Stadium". The SNES and Mega Drive editions used the FIFA '95 engine. It is also the first in the series to present players with real player names and positions, with ranking, transfer and team customisation tools.

Soundtrack

FIFA 96 features 15 songs which were composed and arranged by Graeme Coleman.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
EGM8/10 (SAT)[1]
Maximum (PS1)[2]
(SAT)[3]
Next Generation (GEN, SNES, WIN)[4][5]
Sega Saturn Magazine80% (SAT)[6]

The game was a bestseller in the UK.[7] For the DOS version PC Gamer gave a 92 out of 100.

Reviewing the PlayStation version, Maximum applauded the game for the realism in the player controls and AI behavior, as well as the large number of features, such as the multiple camera angles and league play. They summarized "The remarkably user-friendly options ensure that even the most demanding players will be satisfied, and once the game begins properly, you will appreciate the time and honing skill that has been lavished upon this product by the truly professional EA Sports coders."[2] Tommy Glide of GamePro hailed the game for its realism as well, saying it managed to surpass even the 3DO version of FIFA International Soccer. He praised the use of more than 3,000 real players, the realistic passing controls, and the audio commentary.[8]

Rob Allsetter of Sega Saturn Magazine applauded the comprehensive selection of players, customizing options, and camera angles, but complained that the animation is "both slow and slightly jittery." He concluded, "Fifa '96 makes a brave attempt to capture the real thrill of football. At the end of it all though, it lacks the smoothness and speed to merit championship distinction."[6] The two sports reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly both gave the Saturn version an 8 out of 10, particularly praising the multiple camera angles and the play-by-play commentary, both of which they felt made the game very lifelike.[1] GamePro too praised the camera angles, but put greater emphasis on the deep gameplay. Comparing it to the PlayStation version, they remarked that the Saturn version has more vibrant colors and larger sprites, but rougher characters and less smooth scrolling.[9] Maximum highly criticized it as having a lower frame rate than the PlayStation version, adding that other Saturn ports of soccer games all were very close to the originals. Despite this, they declared FIFA 96 "the dominant soccer in the Saturn market" due to the advanced gameplay mechanics and the weakness of the competition.[3]

Reviewing the Genesis version, a Next Generation critic judged that the game continued the FIFA tradition of improving with each installment, particularly praising the inclusion of real soccer leagues and players. He concluded, "While the Genesis version can't hold a candle to the near-perfect 3DO version [of FIFA International Soccer], it's still the best 16-bit soccer available and a great game beyond that."[4] Next Generation's reviews of the Windows and Super NES versions were similarly laudatory, casting praise at the animations, commentary, maneuvers, real world teams, choice of camera angles, and simple play control.[5]

GamePro's brief review of the Game Boy version stated that it "may be the best sports title of the year for the handheld systems. All the moves - like tackles, headers, and bicycle kicks - are included along with countless teams from the U.S., Europe, and South America."[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Box Score: FIFA Soccer '96". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Ziff Davis (79): 135. February 1996.
  2. 1 2 "Maximum Reviews: FIFA '96". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. Emap International Limited (2): 152. November 1995.
  3. 1 2 "Maximum Reviews: FIFA Soccer '96". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. Emap International Limited (4): 145. 1996.
  4. 1 2 "FIFA '96". Next Generation. Imagine Media (12): 195. December 1995.
  5. 1 2 "FIFA '96 Virtual Stadium Soccer [sic]". Next Generation. No. 13. Imagine Media. January 1996. p. 163.
  6. 1 2 Allsetter, Rob (February 1996). "Review: Fifa '96". Sega Saturn Magazine. Emap International Limited (4): 70–71.
  7. Gallup UK Playstation sales chart, February 1996, published in Official UK PlayStation Magazine issue 3
  8. "FIFA '96 Soccer Scores Big on the PlayStation". GamePro. IDG (89): 84. February 1996.
  9. "FIFA Soccer '96". GamePro. IDG (91): 92. April 1996.
  10. "ProReview: FIFA '96". GamePro. IDG (91): 86. April 1996.
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