Only five months later and EA treats fans to another soccer title.

At the launch of the Xbox 360, EA released the first FIFA game to next gen consoles. To say the least, it was a bit underwhelming with the lack of teams, options, and compulsive slow down during close ups and replays. If you held out until now, you are in luck - in only 5 months time EA has worked to rectify the errors previously made. While not a genuine sequel, 2006 FIFA World Cup improves upon the earlier version in many ways. The presentation is brilliant, there are more teams (at least for the next gen version), new modes, and the slowdown has been fixed. Top all of this off with fantastic and engaging gameplay and you have a great soccer title that should hold you off for another six months when EA releases '07.

It is no secret that EA loves to release these World Cup titles; I mean for hardcore soccer fans, they get twice the loot! The strange thing is that it is unusual for the World Cup titles to outdo the full on versions. In the case of the Xbox 360, World Cup is the choice if you are looking for your soccer fix. You have 125 teams, compared to the 70 offered in FIFA 2006. What's more, these teams are the cream of the crop that played in the World Cup this season. The focus on star players is also more impressive as you will see certain tendencies, ball control, moves, and mannerisms that mimic their real life counterparts very closely. The presentation is flashier and far more brilliant that before, with opening ceremonies, emotional goal celebrations, and a far more active crowd atmosphere. The gameplay has been tweaked a bit adding more moves, player controls, on the fly play calling, and much more that will satisfy hardcore soccer fans. It seems as if very little has been left out in the controls department. New modes such as Penalty Shootout, World Cup challenge, and the Global Challenge offer plenty of single player excitement. The Global Challenge in particular recreates 40 classic moments in FIFA World Cup history, which allows you to unlock legendary players and classic apparel. The game still has a fantastic multiplayer presence with 2 - 4 player co-op play and addicting online play including an eight-man tournament.

Even though the game is vastly improved, the price tag of 60 dollars will make owners of the first FIFA 2006 wonder if buying this upgrade is worth the price. To you I can only say, it is a better game all around and if you can get a great trade in deal for FIFA 06, then go for it. For anyone looking for a great soccer title for their 360 who has not yet purchased FIFA 2006, it is a no brainer to shoot for World Cup. Finally, if you are part of the lot who played the demo or the full version and wasn't impressed the first go round, I don't think there is much here that will change your mind, even with all the improvements.

1. A more complete Xbox 360 soccer title
2. No more slow down, more teams, more play modes

1. It's still 60 dollars!
2. How soon before the next title is released?