FIFA Takes to the Street

Now that FIFA Street is nearing release (check out our hands-on preview), can we agree that the Street series has reached its genre limit? One could perhaps make an argument for an NHL Street title retooled as a street hockey game but, with fan support of the fastest game on ice at an all-time low due to the lockout, devoting time and money to such a title doesn't seem prudent. EA is out of the baseball business for the time being so MLB Street isn't really viable and the remaining EA-owned sports licenses don't really beg for that signature street treatment. After all, NASCAR Street just sounds redundant. As it stands, FIFA Street seems like a pretty natural extension of the Street brand. After all, urban pickup soccer matches are probably as ubiquitous worldwide as pickup b'ball games are here in the States. The FIFA Street developers have been careful to focus more on the cosmopolitan flavor of the beautiful game--through the international venues and nicely varied musical soundtrack--and toned down the in-your-face attitude that probably wouldn't have worked in a soccer title anyway. The game could probably use some extra work in terms of player animations and control but we'll see how it all works out when FIFA Street hits store shelves next month. Now, as for new Street franchises, what about PGA Tour Street? You know, dress up Tiger, Ernie, and Stuart in some fresh gear and new tats, and have them swing their way through makeshift inner city courses all over the world. That might not be so bad, right? Maybe there's room for the Street franchise to grow after all…

FIFA Takes to the Street

Join the conversation