The FIFA games already had the sounds, including good commentary and music, and outstanding motion-capture courtesy of EA's costly studio equipment. As always, the official licenses were there, too. But what its main rival lacked in authenticity, Konami's International Superstar Soccer made up for in playability, though bogus names and timing of the World Cup made it less attractive to the masses. Since then, Konami has added Pro Evolution Soccer to its portfolio to compliment the arcade style of the ISS series.

Neither EA or Konami achieved what Acclaim did with the N64, yet Konami's latest results on the PS2 resemble the gap opened up by Acclaim's high-resolution sports franchises at the time. Great animation and player models meld with outstanding collision detection. Played in well-rendered stadia (poorly-presented crowds aside), this is a game to fall in love with. Even considering its disappointments, competition from International League Soccer, This is Football and FIFA 2002 doesn't even come close.