Video games and football go hand in hand for many fans worldwide. They allow supporters to become even closer with their favourite stars, playing as them virtually, or even taking their club to long-awaited glory. Here are the five best football video game franchises of all time.
The Five Best Football Video Game Franchises of All Time
1. EAFC/FIFA
EAFC, formally known as FIFA, is undoubtedly the most successful football, and arguably sports, video game franchise of all time. The most popular game-mode is Ultimate Team, where players play online and build a team with the best possible “cards”. Some gamers will buy FUT coins and points, whilst others will complete a “Road to Glory”.
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The franchise also includes Career Mode, for fans wanting an offline experience based more on tactics. Players can take their favourite club to Champions League glory. For those wanting to play with their friends, Clubs is the way to go. Playing with up to ten mates is certain fun, or chaos, and provides perhaps the funniest moments in the video game. Whether you want a competitive experience on FUT, a chill offline session in Career Mode, or a laugh with friends on Pro Clubs, FIFA/EAFC has been a huge part of all of our childhoods.
2. Football Manager
Football Manager is a favourite for the more hard-core football nerds. It’s a more complex version of EAFC’s Career Mode, with managers taking control of a variety of areas like hiring staff and training. A higher level of tactics is also at the forefront, with games being simulated rather than manually played by the user.
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Gamers often attempt to take a low league club to the very top, in saves that can take ten or more seasons. Unlike EAFC’s Career Mode, there is no ability to change the difficulty level. FM is not for the weak.
3. eFootball/Pro Evolution Soccer
Arguably the second-biggest football video game, PES provided a very similar experience to FIFA. Its edge over FM was its online game-mode, myClub.
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The franchise did manage to pick up some unhappy FIFA fans in 2021, when they rebranded the game to be called eFootball. The big selling point: it was free of charge. After many years of expensive FIFA games and microtransactions, this was a turning point.
4. Championship Manager
The predecessor to our beloved Football Manager, Championship Manager will be fondly remembered by older gamers, with the final edition being released in 2003.
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Due to the time period, CM was a more simple game, with less branding and badges, and less coaching; it was all about playing the matches and making transfers. Some fans may prefer this simplicity, whilst others are fascinated with the level of detail in FM.
5. FIFA Street
EA created FIFA Street in 2005, in a similar vein to their NFL and NBA spin-offs. Four versions were released in total.
Gamers would play in four vs four matches, using skills and flair to score on smaller pitches/courts. Ronaldinho featured on the cover of the first game, whilst Lionel Messi featured on the last.
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FIFA Street was resurrected in FIFA 20, when EA brought in a new game-mode called Volta. However, fans did not feel that it did the original game justice.
