FIFA Soccer 03 – Platinum (PlayStation 2)

FIFA Soccer 2003 on the PlayStation is another update in the long-running soccer series. It features a limited number of teams and modes of the concurrent next generation version, with some exclusive modes and platform-appropriate graphics.

The game includes teams from 12 national leagues (missing Brazil, Korea and Switzerland from the next-gen version), 23 rest-of-the-world teams (down from 40 in the other version) and 39 international teams.

Game modes include the Club Championship (featuring 18 top European clubs, playable as a season or a friendly) as well as regular friendlies, season play for all 12 leagues, and various tournaments. Shared with the next-gen version (but with a limited selection of playable teams) are the EFA Trophy (i.e. UEFA Cup), European Champion’s Cup (i.e. UEFA Champions League) and International Cup (i.e World Cup). Exclusive to this version are the World Club Challenge of 32 international clubs and the European Challenge of 16 European clubs. Custom tournaments are also available.

On the pitch, similar graphics and the same camera options as in earlier versions are used. Controls are similar as well, with the power bars for shooting and passing making a return, but with the option of turning them off. None of the new Freestyle Control options from the next-gen version have made it to the PlayStation version, however.