The focus of this article is to show you the progression of the FIFA series, from its humble beginnings in 94, to the future of sports gaming in 2002 and beyond. The past 9 editions of FIFA have pleased millions and disappointed many, mostly in recent times.

The birth of a legend, FIFA International Soccer. It may have had great graphics, in its day, and killer gameplay, and even real teams, but all that is left behind, and forgotten. We may never find another football game that will embrace us so much ever again.

FIFA International Soccer (FIFA 94) may have laid the foundations, but the game that took that next step was indeed FIFA Soccer 95. The game that had proper names and leagues, the graphic level may have stayed static, but the enjoyment was unbelievable.

For those too young to have the opportunity of kicking your mates arse with this game will never know such fun, it was truly a moment to remember. The game had its quirks, as did 94, with the Referee chasing players around to give them a card, you'll never laugh so hard again.

FIFA Soccer 96 was the game that made the competition turn around and take notice. It incorporated what was known as Virtual Stadium, which meant that you felt like you actually were in control, you felt as if you were there. It was the first game that really started to resemble football.

The first signs of a TV style broadcast were there, John Motson burst onto the scene, and the graphical detail and flawless gameplay (well it was then) had me playing games into the early hours of the morning. The legend had awoken.

FIFA 97 rolled around, with high expectations to out do its predecessor, for some it was a step in the right direction, but for many it was the first FIFA disappointment from EA.

The graphics were enhanced, the team amount increased, commentary improved, yet gameplay still was the same, if not, very lacklustre, where have we heard this before?

Indoor mode featured for the first time, although it did not take off until 98, it was the only real highlight of 97. Roll on 98.

1998, the year of the World Cup, and the birth of World Cup Qualification mode. Who can forget that killer opening sequence with Blur's Song 2 thumping peoples PC's and Consoles, the mood was set for one great game.

Graphics, Sound, Commentary, Features and most important Gameplay were greatly advanced, flattening any oncoming opposition. The Qualification feature was the highlight of this version, and the indoor mode took off with great appreciation.

FIFA Road to World Cup 98 was undoubtedly the greatest FIFA game up until then. The only question from then on was 'would World Cup 98 be as successful?'

Was World Cup 98 as good as RTWC 98? Well yes, but in different aspects. RTWC had the monopoly on the market, the only challenge was to make a game as successful, and that was achieved. I must admit, I still drag out World Cup 98 out from time to time, to relive the magic.

The game was not all that dissimilar from RTWC 98, but had the atmosphere of sitting in the end stand behind the opposition goal waving your nations flag while eating a pork pie and getting drenched in rain and team chants…. phew!

WC 98 was a definite success, and with the combined efforts of RTWC was the best year for FIFA, and remained that way for years to come.

It was thought that the series could only get better as the years went on following the 98 successes, boy were they wrong. Not only were FIFA 99 and FIFA 2000 the most despicable FIFA games to date, that completely destroyed the admiration of fans world wide, and as a result EA lost millions of supporters as a result of the two year period.

1999 may have not been as bad as 2000, but still was bad enough for me not to even buy the game, which I had done with every other FIFA game previous.

In 2000 the tradition continued from 99 and the title of Worst FIFA Game Ever was soon trust upon FIFA 2000, and the inclusion of Robbie Williams doing the title theme and the ISS series to hit the scene only hurt its cause. 99 and 2000 will long be remember as the games that history will simply forget about.

FIFA 2001 rolled around, and it was expected to do well, very well in fact, it couldn't really go wrong after the two stuff-ups previous to it… or could it?

FIFA 2001 was the biggest selling football game of all time (soon to be eclipsed by FIFA 2002), and it was marvelled at, all be it for only a couple of months, as people realised the game resembled Ping-Pong rather than football.

As time progressed, the game was being seen as a disgrace, many still regard it the worst in the series. The game did offer some light on the now shaky FIFA series, with unprecedented presentation and graphical detail, and an abundance of leagues and teams to choose from, as well as the FIFAPro license and official kits.

The game may look pale compared to the genius of the 98 games, and the release of FIFA 2002, but it still holds its place as the foundation game for FIFA 2002.

FIFA 2002, four years on from the success of 98, and following the apparent suppression of 2001, what key could 2002 hold? Well have EA created the legend that we have longed for?

EA have actually listened to the public (well sort of) for ideas, and actually used them! The new passing system was either the glory or the shame for EA, and it appears to have paid off.

Yet some still question FIFA 2002's superiority (mostly from ISS supporters I have noticed) over the rest of the field, but it can be safely said this is one great game. The overwhelming majority has claimed it the best FIFA ever, and rightly so.

It offers unbelievable graphic detail, the FIFAPro license once again, and of course the new passing system that has worked wonders. The inclusion of the World Cup Qualifying mode was not as good as expected, because of the inability to play in World Cup mode.

The game may have bugs and things not included that we all wanted, but name me one game that doesn't. This is surely made up with by the sheer number of leagues and competitions (some of which have to be unlocked), and the learning curve has been increased adding to its longevity. Is this the greatest FIFA ever?

The question on everyone's lips at the moment is 'will 2002 be as successful as 98?'? Only time will tell, and we will have to wait until EA released World Cup 2002, which is sure to go off with a bang, hopefully in the right direction.