FIFA Soccer 96

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 Soccer 96
North American Saturn cover art, featuring Notts County’s Andy Legg and Brescia Calcio’s Ioan Sabău
Developer(s)	Extended Play Productions Probe Entertainment (SNES, Game Boy and Game Gear)
Publisher(s)	EA Sports Electronic Arts Victor (Japan) Black Pearl Software (Game Boy and Game Gear)
Composer(s)	Robert Bailey Graeme Coleman
Series	FIFA
Platform(s)	Windows DOS Sega 32X Sega Genesis SNES Game Boy Sega Game Gear PlayStation Sega Saturn
Release	Genesis EU: November 30, 1995 NA: 1995 Windows NA: September 30, 1995 PlayStation NA: November 1995 EU: 1995 Game Boy NA: December 1995 EU: 1996 Game Gear NA: 1995 EU: 1995 Super Nintendo Entertainment System NA: November 1995 EU: November 23, 1995
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

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 Genesis editions used the FIFA '95 engine. It is also the first in the series to use 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 Publication Score EGM 8/10 (SAT)[1] Next Generation (GEN, SNES, WIN, PS1)[2][3][4] (SAT)[5] Maximum (PS1)[6] (SAT)[7] Sega Saturn Magazine 80% (SAT)[8]

The game was a bestseller in the UK.[9] 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."[6] 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.[10] In a retrospective review roughly a year after the game's release, a Next Generation critic commented that "One of the deepest, most beautiful, and eminently playable sports games hasn't lost a thing since its release".[4]

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."[8] 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.[11] 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.[7] A Next Generation critic was wildly enthusiastic about the game's accurate recreation of real professional soccer, particularly remarking that it is possible to identify individual players on the field just by looking at them, and that executing game plans produces realistic results. He added that even with all the devotion to realism, the game is also tremendously fun, and concluded to be one of the best games for the Saturn.[5]

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."[2] 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.[3] GamePro's The Athletic Supporter was also highly pleased with the Genesis and Super NES versions, saying they improved over the previous FIFA with smoother, more realistic graphics and added modes and features. He noted that the Super NES version plays faster than the Genesis version but lacks the Genesis version's exciting crowd noise.[12][13]

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."[14]

References

1. "Box Score: FIFA Soccer '96". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 79. Sendai Publishing. February 1996. p. 135.
2. "FIFA '96". Next Generation. No. 12. Imagine Media. December 1995. p. 195.
3. "FIFA '96 Virtual Stadium Soccer [sic]". Next Generation. No. 13. Imagine Media. January 1996. p. 163.
4. "Every PlayStation Game Played, Reviewed, and Rated". Next Generation. No. 25. Imagine Media. January 1997. p. 58.
5. "Kick Start". Next Generation. No. 16. Imagine Media. April 1996. p. 86.
6. "Maximum Reviews: FIFA '96". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 2. Emap International Limited. November 1995. p. 152.
7. "Maximum Reviews: FIFA Soccer '96". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 4. Emap International Limited. 1996. p. 145.
8. Allsetter, Rob (February 1996). "Review: Fifa '96". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 4. Emap International Limited. pp. 70–71.
9. Gallup UK Playstation sales chart, February 1996, published in Official UK PlayStation Magazine issue 3
10. "FIFA '96 Soccer Scores Big on the PlayStation". GamePro. No. 89. IDG. February 1996. p. 84.
11. "FIFA Soccer '96". GamePro. No. 91. IDG. April 1996. p. 92.
12. "FIFA '96 Schools the SNES Competition". GamePro. No. 87. IDG. December 1995. p. 118.
13. "FIFA '96 Rocks the Stadium on the Genesis". GamePro. No. 87. IDG. December 1995. p. 118.
14. "ProReview: FIFA '96". GamePro. No. 91. IDG. April 1996. p. 86.