FIFA and PlayStation. The two go together like Grand Theft Auto and violence. FIFA has proved to be the number-one soccer franchise for game consoles, especially on PlayStation 2.

Things changed with the release of FIFA 06 for PlayStation Portable. Despite being made for the most powerful handheld available, the PSP version could not achieve the success of its predecessors. The players were too small, the controls were weak, and the single-player modes weren't that addictive.

This year the series returns to make things right with greatly improved gameplay, and superior ball control. The game modes are more involved (and more diverse), and that special something that makes FIFA the king of soccer is deeply prevalent.

Kick-Off

FIFA 07 opens up with an updated presentation. The menus are slicker, bolder – more like the windows you see popping up in next-gen sports titles. Selections move instantly from one to the next, without any unnecessary loading in between. Pre-game load times are slightly faster than the average PSP title, another plus. These are minute details that have little effect on the big picture, but it just goes to show how much the developers put into the advancement of each facet.

At first glance the improvements appear to have ended there. The graphics haven't changed much, misleading the player into thinking this is going to be a rehash. But the controls and feel of the game have not been neglected. Most of the development time was spent making sure that FIFA 07 is as close as possible to the current-gen versions.

This fact is instantly recognized the first time you control your team. Player movement is tighter and can be influenced more naturally. Shot orchestration is exciting, rewarding, and most importantly, doable. Passing is close to the PS2 version. Handling the ball, faking, dodging, and sliding for a steal – these moves are right where they should be.

FIFA 07's Manager Mode is all but a carbon copy of the PS2 version. This was done on purpose to keep the series consistent across all platforms and to ensure a smooth transition between the PSP and PS2 versions. Players can jump back and forth between the two versions without interruption. Start a new Manager Mode on either console and play a few matches. Those of you who have played a console version will recognize the layout, statistics, manager selection, sponsorship opportunities, management options, etc. Most of the options and features are exactly the same.

Players will be able to upgrade their scouts and coaches, as well as their management and medical staff. Upgrades cost a lot of money, the bare minimum being $120,000 – a large chunk of your budget. However, your starting budget is dependant on the team you decide to sign with, just as the number of wins and the chosen sponsor will affect how much money you have later on. Further upgrades can go up into the millions, preventing a losing team from increasing their position.

Coming home after a long commute? Connect your PSP to your PS2 using a USB cable. Upload the save file you've created on PSP to your PS2 and you'll be able to continue your game on that console. When you have to leave, you can use this system link feature again to upload your PS2 progress to your PSP. The game can be shifted back and forth between the consoles as much as necessary.

(Note: While I am all but certain this feature will work fine in the retail versions of FIFA 07, it did not work with my debug review builds. Uploading to PSP caused the PSP to crash; uploading to PS2 caused that system to crash. I attempted to upload content to both systems numerous times, and with different USB cables. They crashed every time.)

Mini Madness

I wasn't a big fan of the ball-juggling mini-game introduced in FIFA 06, but it has grown on me this season. Playing with the PSP turned sideways (to give you a long vertical view of the action), the goal is to press the proper directional button just as the ball is about to hit your player's knee, foot, or head. You'll know when to push the button by studying the ball as it drops into the colored circles. Once lined up, it's time to push the indicated button. Do well and you'll earn points that can be cashed in for new balls, stadiums, kits, and other bonuses (including a Rooney interview).

Another quick, handheld-specific mini-game option is Wall Attack. Control the kicker as you're served balls and attempt to knock out pieces of the wall. The wall begins with a 4x4 lineup of blocks. Striking them is not too challenging, with most being hit just by pressing the X button when the ball approaches. Clear this stage and the wall becomes more complex, dividing its pieces into smaller chunks every couple stages.

Knock one block out and that row drops down. This doesn't seem like a big deal until the blocks take on more than one color. Then you realize: this looks a little like Tetris, doesn't it? Consecutively eliminate blocks of the same color for extra points and faster stage advancement.

Colors aren't the only thing you have to contend with. You'll also have to worry about the various markings pasted onto some of the blocks, which create a shield that must be hit twice to eliminate.

The ball aiming physics for this mini-game are great. Use the X button for standard kicks; press and hold the circle button to reach the highest blocks. Timing is everything. How long it takes you to hit each block, and the time you spend charging kicks will determine the length and point total of every game.

Those of you who purchased FIFA 06 for PSP – I feel for you. But a year has passed now. It’s time to move onto bigger and better things, namely FIFA 07. This is what the first game should’ve been, cramming much of the great PS2 gameplay into a convenient, handheld package.

Gameplay: 8.1
FIFA 07 is the closest the series has gotten to providing a console-perfect experience on a handheld. The controls are silky-smooth, most of the features are the same as the PS2 version, and passing is accurate and not at all difficult to perform with the PSP’s pseudo thumbstick. Gameplay is fast and exciting without losing the series’ simulation status. Anyone who knows the FIFA series on PS2 will be at home with this game.

Graphics: 6.0
Not a huge improvement over last year’s game. FIFA 07’s mini-games and non-interactive close-ups are marginally eye-catching. The game itself is once gain littered with tiny, low-res, low-polygon character models that don’t have much detail. They are very well animated, but have no individual meaning. Squint all you want – you still won’t be able to tell players apart. You can see who has the ball…I guess that’s something.

Sound: 6.7
The sound quality is great. Players can import their own tracks and play them through the game, customizing the listener’s experience. However, the in-game music (mostly Euro-pop) and sound effects are not that different from the PS2 version. In fact, there appears to be fewer songs in this version, and definitely less commentary.

Difficulty: Medium
FIFA 07 steps up its game, offering more challenges that are worth taking on. The length of each game ensures some longevity, while the difficulty of select opponents ensures real longevity.

Concept: 7.9
More than a step in the right direction. Though Sony has had better luck pushing polygons with their World Tour Soccer games, it seems EA can’t yet produce a stunning soccer with a high camera angle. That said, FIFA 07 is much more enjoyable than FIFA 06. The graphics are similar, but the gameplay, controls, functionality, presentation, mini-games and other offerings are closer to what I wanted from the start.

Multiplayer: 8.0
Ad hoc and infrastructure gaming returns. The difference with FIFA 07 is that this time you’ll want to participate.

Overall: 8.0
Hands down, FIFA 07 is one of the best PSP sports titles of the year. Its content can’t be beat. The controls are top-notch, bridging the gap between console and handheld gameplay.