Metascore
81 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. If it weren't for the lack of an ability to adjust team strategy on the fly, pick your own teams for tournament play, or perform special dribbles with any sort of effectiveness, FIFA 2002 would be approaching perfection.
  2. It doesn't have Madden's depth, but then, it doesn't have Madden's Mt. Everest learning curve, either.
  3. 88
    This is the best crowd animation that I have ever seen.
  4. 86
    The game boasts intuitive, tight controls, players move with a realistic sense of physics and inertia, the passing system works without a hitch and purists will find the statistic tracking fully in place.
  5. Equally stunning is the dual color commentary, which seamlessly strings together on-the-fly play-by-plays without ever skipping a beat or sounding choppy. [Jan 2002, p.127]
  6. The pace seems faster than last year's version, which is definitely a good thing. Playing multiplayer is a lot more fun because of it.
  7. The players look amazingly real with fluid human like movement. The close up celebration scenes are terrific and mimic actual celebrations in the real game.
  8. 82
    With excellent controls, graphics, sound, and a huge variety of gameplay modes, this one is a game you should pick up.
  9. The only gripe I have here is that you have to double tap for special moves. [Feb 2002, p.87]
  10. A sports title that is not to be missed. You needn't be a hardcore soccer fan to appreciate the realism, tight mechanics, and rich, vibrant graphics that EA SPORTS has brought to the GameCube.
  11. It’ll certainly keep you busy, until the next FIFA game comes out (in a few months), just don’t expect to be too excited by it.
  12. I swear, you could probably nail players in the groin nine times out of 10 with these controls if you practiced enough. [Feb 2002, p.164]
  13. 70
    World Cup–level graphics and realism have to struggle to make up for controls that keep getting yellow cards.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Old School! ________________________________________________________________________ Full Review »
  2. MattR.
    9
    Best soccer game in the FIFA line, ever. Solid graphics, deep gameplay. Menu screens are confusing, but that's about it!
  3. GettfordM.
    10
    Footie tourney at Gettford's place in January! You know I got Juve! No Van Gallen rushes in this version, boyz!