Developer: EA Canada Publisher: Electronic Arts
Released: March 31, 1997 Rated: E 3/10
EA’s efforts on the N64 would drop off gradually as the years went on and the console ceded ground to the PlayStation as the destination for sports gamers. They were, however, pretty quick to get involved in the system with their first FIFA title in early 1997. Though their first foray on the system was not the first polygon-based title in the FIFA franchise, there were certainly some growing pains in optimizing the series for Nintendo’s new hardware.
I’ll put it bluntly, since there isn’t much to talk about in fine details, and I am no soccer expert to begin with. FIFA 64 runs slow and choppy; it has annoying, repetitive sound design and commentary, even for an early 64 title. it looks murky and lacks any sense of sharpness or fidelity. I’ll keep going. It handles like a pumpkin covered in tree sap, sticky and cumbersome and fumbly, with button presses feeling outright delayed for what feels like a full second to take effect; it generally lacks any sense of playability and just doesn’t deliver an enjoyable game of soccer.
And maybe it seems like I couldn’t like it anyway if I don’t care for the sport, but the gap between this first FIFA title, all three future titles, and efforts from its closest competitor in the International Superstar Soccer franchises is drastic and tangible. And yet, despite a stumble out of the gate, sales for FIFA 64, with its brand recognition and first-to-market status, would provide suitable returns for EA to keep producing some, albeit not all, of their sports offerings for the N64, which was not a given prior to this release, when they seemed equally as likely to be joining companies like Square and Capcom in the mass abandonment of Nintendo’s hardware.
Continuing Legacy
FIFA is still the gaming world’s premiere soccer franchise, for better or for worse, though money disputes between two monolithic, ungovernable bodies led to the series being renamed to “FC” starting in the 2023 edition. Years of exchanging blows with Konami has largely seen EA’s series come out on top financially, though it’s common to still see valid debate between fans over which franchise is superior.
Additional Information
Saves: Controller Pak
Compatible With: None
Players: 1-4
Print Guides: None
Aggregate Critical Reception (GameRankings): 60.69%, based on 11 reviews
Other Releases: EU, April 1, 1997
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