FIFA Soccer 06 (DS)

CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
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Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)
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Product summary

Gamespot editors' review

• Reviewed by: Justin Calvert
• Reviewed on: 10/17/2005
• Released on: 10/04/2005

Almost a full year into its life, the Nintendo DS has finally got a soccer game. The bad news is that the DS version of FIFA 06 plays quite differently from its home console and PC namesakes. The good news is that the game plays an enjoyable match of soccer, makes decent use of the handheld's second screen, and boasts the same high level of presentation that we've come to expect from EA Sports in recent years.

The first thing you'll need to do when you play FIFA 06 on the Nintendo DS is tell the game which of its 500-plus club and international teams is your favorite so that it can be set as your default team whenever you start a new match. In addition to the "kick off" option that lets you get in to a match quickly, you'll find a number of other single-player modes, including career, challenges, season, and tournament. FIFA 06 also supports two players using a single cartridge, or four players if each has a copy of the game.

Fail to fulfill your manager's team expectations and your job could be on the line.

The season and tournament modes let you guide your chosen squad through the real-life league or cup competition of your choice without really having to worry about the pressures of team management. If you relish the challenge of being a manager, however, then you'll want to check out FIFA 06's career mode, in which you'll take control of your chosen team for up to five seasons to fulfill certain objectives...if you want to keep your job (as well as gain manager prestige points). The objectives that you're tasked with at the start of each season will depend largely on your choice of team and previous performances, but they typically involve achieving certain positions in the league and progressing to the latter stages of cup competitions.

FIFA 06's career mode is pretty light in terms of the responsibilities you'll have on your shoulders, so although you'll be tasked with picking your team and tactics ahead of every game, you won't have to concern yourself with player salaries, media attention, or the transfer market. In fact, one of the biggest decisions you'll have to make before each match is whether you want to play it yourself, watch a text-based commentary of the match in "visual sim" mode (though you do have the option to intervene at any time), or simply use the "quick sim" option to generate an instant result. Given that there's not a whole lot to do as a manager, it's unlikely you'll want to simulate the majority of your matches in FIFA 06. However, the option can be useful if you're looking to progress quickly. At the end of each match (including simulated ones), you'll have the option to view highlights from every match played that day. The highlights are often quite spectacular, which can make you wonder why most of your goals never look as good.

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Amazon.com	$19.79	Yes

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Where to buy FIFA Soccer 06 (DS)

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