Games Reviews: Fifa 09 & PES 2009

DS, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360, EA, £29.99 - £49.99 for Fifa 09 & PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Konami, £24.99 - £49.99 for PES 2009

The battle lines are drawn. That’s right, the twin titans of video-game football are going head to head this month to win the hearts and hardearned cash of the nation’s gamers.

Both Fifa 09 and PES 2009 are superb soccer sims, but which you prefer will depend on how you like to play. First up is Fifa, which can’t be beaten for realism, from players that look like who they’re supposed to be to the spot-on depiction of how they move. Even more impressive is the thought that has gone into the gameplay details, from zillions of modes to slick controls. It’s tough, but totally rewarding.

The latest instalment of PES is a mighty fine game, too. Fifa 09 has the photofinish realism, but PES has sheer playability on its side, and fans of the series will love both the smart AI and tarted-up online options. On paper, PES might offer less glamour and big-name features than its rival, but it’s a fabulously addictive title that many will enjoy more than the slightly more po-faced action on offer in Fifa. But whichever you plump for, both are excellent in their own right.