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2006 FIFA World Cup

EMAIL PRINT xbox360

6.8 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 49 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 27 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: EA Canada

Genre(s): Sports, Soccer

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: April 24, 2006

Summary

2006 FIFA World Cup features 12 official stadiums used at 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany and stadiums from each qualifying region. Gamers can play as their favorite team from qualification right through to a virtual reproduction of the tournament in Germany. With enhanced player animations, EA SPORTS has emulated close to 100 of the world's superstars, capturing their playing styles and individual likenesses. In addition to enabling gamers to participate in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany by taking control of one of 127 national teams, the game features new compelling modes of play, including the groundbreaking Global Challenge that tests even the most hardcore soccer fan by recreating classic moments in FIFA World Cup history. Furthermore, the game supports up to eight-way multiplayer matches and features a plethora of in-game unlockable content such as legendary players and exclusive apparel. [Electronic Arts]

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

GamePro

The control feels natural and responsive, but the Xbox 360 version features somewhat larger players on the feild than the PS2 - something gamers without big screens may wish to consider.

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Next Level Gaming

This is the first of the fully-featured Xbox 360 sports games from EA, and it's got everything you missed in the launch title. And it's definitely what I would consider to be a "next-generation" game. When you play it, you'll see from the kickoff exactly what I mean.

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eToychest

The whole game plays faster than FIFA 2006, as here EA has managed to set the perfect pace for soccer.

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PGNx Media

The Xbox 360 is technically superior with no slowdown but it does lose out some features that the current-generation versions have.

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Game Over Online

An excellent presentation of the World Cup. The feeling, emotion, and intensity of the event are all there.

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Worth Playing

I am very glad to see that FIFA World Cup's core gameplay elements have evolved to make the game experience more dynamic and realistic.

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Game Informer

This newer game is by far the more impressive choice, with fully fleshed out features, excellent animation, solid soccer gameplay, and an exciting presentation, replete with another batch of great music from around the world. [Jun 2006, p.112]

IGN

EA put together its most solid soccer gameplay experience yet and the deepest World Cup title of all time. Still, it's hard to argue that the gameplay, an obvious imitation of Winning Eleven, is better, but with star players and a nifty new shooting mechanism, it would be hard to argue it's worse.

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XboxAddict

There has to be a way to choose who is going to call the game and what type of crowd is in the stands. Have a variety of commentators from around the world do the voice work.

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TeamXbox

A synergistic title that is virtually complete from stem to stern. There’s good gameplay, excellent modes, palpable pageantry, above average graphics and audio, and even sweet navigation screens. The lack of online tournaments is the biggest detriment.

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GameZone

The team management mode is a little light and there is no way to create a player to put into the action, but the look and feel of the game is very solid.

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GameSpot

2006 FIFA World Cup does a good job of re-creating the carnival atmosphere that surrounds the competition, and is a significant improvement over its 360 predecessor.

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Cheat Code Central

The lack of an online tournament mode did not go unnoticed and it's something that needs to be addressed in next year's version - and considering how good this game is, you can be rest assured the series will continue.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

On the multiplayer side, things come together nicely, and the toing and froing that comes from the defender-biased jostling serves to keep possession roughly even between players who are similarly skilled, while giving more creative passers a definite advantage.

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Games Master UK

More than just a top game - this is an event, and a blinding return to form for flailing FIFA. [June 2006, p.54]

Talk Xbox

The title’s strongest aspect is the way it captures the World Cup event. Like most other World Cup titles, there isn’t a whole lot of replay value here, but the time you spend playing this title will be enjoyable.

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Game Chronicles

2006 FIFA World Cup manages to capture all of that magic and recreate the pageantry of the World Cup better than any World Cup game before it.

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Kombo

2006 FIFA World Cup is the soccer game to get before FIFA 07 releases late October. Until then, make sure to practice your corner kicks!

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Gaming Target

This game plays somewhat differently – for the better – than the previous release, and the online mode is still good fun.

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3DAvenue

This is the best World Cup licensed game ever produced and EA has made a huge effort to give us a slight glimpse at what FIFA 2007 will look like on the next generation consoles.

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Console Gameworld

FIFA World Cup 2006 makes some impressive strides over FIFA 06 for the Xbox 360. Changes in graphics and game play are evident, but EA still has plenty of room to improve all aspects of next year’s football game.

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Boomtown

One of the most fun, convincing, action-packed and atmospheric football games released on a console. It’s not merely a tournament cash-in, the choice of teams and game content mean it’s a full game in its own fight and bodes very well for the next full FIFA game.

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Play.tm

As a standalone football game without all the World Cup-related fluff and filling, EA have provided something which is actually good fun to play (both off and online), certainly not like their frustratingly average efforts over recent years.

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Detroit Free Press

Thankfully for the folks at Electronic Arts, the only soccer competition available on the Xbox 360 is the previous FIFA game, and this World Cup edition is a step up from that incarnation, albeit a small one.

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DailyGame

FIFA definitely has replay value, both because of the sheer number of teams you can try to get to the World Cup and because it offers online play.

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Official Xbox Magazine

As far as gameplay goes, World Cup performs a notch better than "FIFA 06" did(although taking free kicks from midfield is an odd moment with limited options for control and strategy). [Jun 2006, p.77]

Loaded Inc

Gameplay wise it's everything you'd expect from EA's FIFA series and no more, it's an improvement on the previous Road the World Cup title but still lacks that little something in the gameplay department.

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Xbox World Australia

The presentation is absolutely first rate and even though some of the control options I loved from past games are gone, the controls are finely tuned and it's possible to score some awesome goals.

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

It looks great, it's easy to play and there are plenty of game modes to get through. But the loose and clumsy gameplay still has some way to go before it can match the ongoing king of football games, "Pro Evo."

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VideoGamer

Gameplay still lags behind the mighty Pro Evolution Soccer in a few areas, but the 'first touch' and 'off the ball' systems continue to impress. Presentation is great as expected, making this the perfect title to celebrate the World Cup with, even if it's not the perfect footy game.

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Sydney Morning Herald

A fun football simulation for newcomers and the best FIFA of recent years. Even so, competitor "Pro Evolution" still has the virtual World Cup firmly in its grasp.

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Gamers' Temple

Like watching a tie game – fun at times but ultimately unsatisfying

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Eurogamer

Luckily for EA, the crucial single-player element really does have a lot going for it, and for once it's possible to consider World Cup as more than simple by-the-numbers cash-in effort.

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Total Video Games

Behind the typically lavish gloss and high presentation, 2006 FIFA World Cup really is only for those that need every version of FIFA that EA can squeeze out. The complete lack of innovation in any shape or form results in a game that fails to captivate your interest beyond a handful of games.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Even on the Xbox 360, the only major improvement seems to be in the graphics, which aren't as big an upgrade over the Xbox and PS2 versions as they could be.

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MS Xbox World

If you do want to enjoy the World Cup experience though, this is a very competent footy game, just don’t expect football perfection.

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360 Gamer Magazine UK

It’s still got gameplay issues but FIFA has never been just about how it plays. Football fans will love this. Not because it’s technically the best football game ever made, but because it can provide an authentic and inspiring experience.

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Gaming Age

The presentation is brilliant, there are more teams..., new modes, and the slowdown has been fixed. Top all of this off with fantastic and engaging gameplay and you have a great soccer title that should hold you off for another six months when EA releases '07.

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Planet Xbox 360

Despite the games many problems it’s not all bad, and the game is better than the previous version (despite the annoyances like not being able to skip substitution scenes), and is still a half-decent football title to play over summer, especially with World Cup fever and a few friends.

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Xboxic

Overall this not a bad game, but it’s short, real short. I’ve worked my national team all the way trough the qualification rounds and won the World Cup in 1 evening. Then it’s just another few days or so before you have everything unlocked, and completed all 40 Global Challenges.

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PALGN

When it’s all said and done, 2006 FIFA World Cup has all of the glitz and glamour of the tournament, but lacks the depth and lasting value that most gamers would expect from a football game.

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GameSpy

While it's not the deepest game, it's got enough in the way of modes, including the fairly tough Global Challenge Mode, to keep players going until the next FIFA installment next fall.

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1UP

All of the things EA did right with FIFA World Cup 2006 are overshadowed by the simple truth that what should be the most fun part of the game -- having exciting scoring chances -- is completely negated by shoddy game performance near the nets.

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GameShark

2006 FIFA World Cup is truly a game I really want to like. There’s enough in it to play for a while, however the control issues and the terrible, repetitive play by play really bring it down a notch

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Xbox Evolved

It still dosen't match up to Pro Evolution Soccer, but it has improved and become more refined and innovative.

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RewiredMind

In front, it is one of the most beautiful, well presented and solidly put together sports games that you’re likely to see. Then, you get onto the pitch and the game engine lets everything down horribly.

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G4 TV

For the second time in under a year, EA fails to impress with a next-gen football game. 2006 FIFA World Cup comes off as a quick cash-in to make a fast buck before the big event in Germany this June.

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X360 Magazine UK

A poor effort that simultaneously shows up EA's footballing naivety and its rampant capitalism. It will sell like the proverbial hot cake, but don't say we didn't warn you. [Issue 7, p.100]

games(TM)

Wait for Pro Evo 6 if you can, and in the meantime be happy with FIFA 06 if you really must play EA’s sim. [June 2006, p.122]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.8 (out of 10) based on 27 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jeff A. gave it a10:
Superb game. All the thrills and action of the FIFA World Cup. Truly next gen graphics melded with excellent gameplay and great control make 2006 FIFA World Cup a must have game.

Mister B. gave it a3:
Some of the likenesses are impressive, but not breath taking. The gameplay is simply unforgivable, it doesn't feel that you have any control over where your shots are being directed and the AI doesn't make intelligent runs down the wing etc. like you would expect from a superior title like Pro Evo. The fact this has come out so soon after 'Road to the World Cup' is an extra slap in the face.

RichardS gave it a5:
Just another EA FIFA game - lots of gloss but also lots of dodgy gameplay. The game is full of bad bugs - like the save where the keeper ends up in the back of the net, stands up and walks the ball out of the goal but no goal is registered and Tyldesley remarks on the great save! The biggest problem? Playing 2 player - the game swaps players too often so in the penalty box you go for a tackle, but the game has swapped your player so you end up giving away a penalty miles away from the ball. It is stupid. The passing is woeful too. Some plus points - it is better than previous EA efforts - they have stolen the Pro Evo through-ball idea at least. But the gameplay is still less than Pro Evo. It's also not much of next-gen game. Okay there's some grass texture, but it's no better than the last football game on the xbox.

Thomas S. gave it a3:
I have played much better soccer games than this. It's abysmal to say the least, the AI in particular is quite terrible. Sensible World of Soccer is still the best in the genre.

Oscar A. gave it a10:
I Think this is the best version of fifa world cup made forgot the other titles we know that winining eleven it's the best version of soccer and there are million of years from fifa but give it a chance to this game specially the version for xbox 360 it's awesome the statiums, the fireworks, and the players has ally High definited we have to wait loong time for the launch of the next wining eleven for ps3 or xbox 360 but this fifa it's the only choice we have for lover soccer players.

Jake I. gave it a9:
In terms of graphics and sound this really is a next generation football game. The interface and tournament are incredibly well polished. The feeling of scoring a goal has been boosted and really is rewarding. It would have been nice if EA had included all the club & and management features from last year's FIFA 06 to increase the lastability. All in all this is possibly the best soccer title to date, let down only by its lack of game modes (ie management mode and club soccer). Of course we can expect to see these missing features in fifa 07, which will be released later this year.

Shimmy gave it a6:
Dont believe the hype (or the gloss) - this is still just a football game for kids, or people who know nothing about football. Pro Evolution Soccer is still the only real player on the block.

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2006 FIFA World Cup

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