A good attempt, if only let down by poor frame rate issues and slowdown problems. Try the Xbox version instead.
When you load up the game and set up your first match, you’ll be quick to notice some key changes in gameplay. Shots finally feel like they have some power, while you’ll only have a say in the general height (the computer judges power and direction according to how close you are to the goal and how your facing it), it still feels greatly satisfying to put one past the goalkeeper. Crossing is just about spot-on and the passing & through-balls have been vastly improved, allowing for more fluid team play. Controls are the same as any previous FIFA game, but this time allows you to choose between original FIFA settings & Pro Evolution Soccer (Winning Eleven) settings. Basically swapping the shoot, cross & change player buttons. This is definitely a great help if you’re like me, a PES fan, as it can be difficult adjusting to FIFA rules.
EA are certainly known for their big-budget presentation and 2006 FIFA World Cup is no acception. Every aspect of production is excellent, Clive Tylsdley and Andy Townshend provide brilliant commentary, Stadiums are spot-on and player likeness look like their real life counterparts. As with usual FIFA games, the amount of points you earn from games, allows you to spend on the ingame store on things like; classic players, football boots, footballs, kits & cheats. Sound is fantastic; the soundtrack offers some of the worlds best musical talent from various countries.
The graphics are a little disappointing, suffering horrible slowdown and plenty of glitches here and there. Compared to the Xbox version of 2006 FIFA World Cup, graphical features on players, shirts and boots are much less detailed and rougher than its Xbox brother. Slowdown is frequently a problem on PS2, especially when you score a goal, the frame rate drops drastically. This makes the PS2 version feel sloppy and rushed.
Gameplay modes are plentiful, the World Cup being the main attraction; you can take any team from around the world battling from group qualifiers to the finals themselves to lift the Jules Rimet cup. There is a normal match mode, penalty shoot-outs and a new global challenge mode, recreating classic World Cup games, keeping you entertained for hours.
Overall, 2006 FIFA World Cup is the probably the best FIFA game to date, If you own FIFA 06 then you probably shouldn’t bother with 2006 WC. Certain aspects of 2006 WC’s presentation are brilliant and gameplay is generally great. Unfortunately, the game is let down by the poor frame rate issues and unbearable slowdown which makes the PS2 version hard to recommend, if you want to experience the 2006 FIFA World Cup, try the Xbox version instead.