The previous version suffered from slow animations and an off framerate, but this is the version that was meant to be released to show off just what EA can do with a soccer title on the PSP. From the opening fly by that shows off just how enormous the soccer arenas can be, to the emotional cut scenes of your players being carded, the entire engine just gleams with polish. The player models have been updated even further with more detail to their uniforms and faces, as well as additional animations for kicks, dribbles, passes, and shot attempts. This attention to detail is even more evident in the periods when the ball play is dead. While this treatment doesn’t have the new look with dramatic lighting and pertinent weather effects that will really draw onlookers into the action immediately, they still capture the emotion of the plays and players on the pitch. You also have great lighting effects complete with shadows and time of day movement, even if it is not the illuminating lighting of the console version, it still looks quite nice. There is still a bit of hiccup when the ball is pitched down field, but it is nowhere near as bad as the previous version

Audio is stellar as usual with this series and is highlighted by the fantastic play by play. Clive Tydsley and Andy Gray call the action this time around and are not only very entertaining, but also spot on with their calls on the field. EA Trax is back, of better or worse here, but at least has a massive variety of music genres that fit the ethnic differences of the sport. Lastly, the crowd chanting is back and is more impressive than ever. You will hear your hometown crowd chant your team names, cheer on goals, jeer on poor calls and tackles, and even sing songs to get your team pumped up. If you are using your headset, you will love the way the simulated surround sound brings you virtually on the field.

Gameplay is as authentic as you would want in a soccer title. High kicking, low scoring, but always exciting that is the key to keep audiences riveted, and FIFA delivers this action in spades. You will never struggle over the controls as finally you feel like you are in control of the ball, with no delays, no canned animations, and no feeling of a string tied to the ball and your foot. The ball feels very alive and it is up to you to control the accurate physics the ball possesses. Everything just feels more responsive than in previous years, as you’ll pass, shoot, tackle, trap, dribble, and shield and feel in command of every second of gameplay. The A.I. is gritty and challenging providing a more than adequate match does time after time, no matter what skill level you are. Easily the best playing handheld to date and even holds its own against the big boys on the consoles.

FIFA 06 is chock full of options to keep your rabid soccer fan busy for years and years. With the obvious practice, exhibition, and tournament modes present, FIFA 06 goes beyond the typical soccer offerings. While this version still lacks the newly acquired Manager mode, there are still plenty of game modes to keep you interested, including some exclusive mini games and you do have a 38 game full season mode as well. While you may not be able to create or customize your teams, the ability to at least play a stat tracking season mode will still satisfy.

While I hope that EA will incorporate customization next season, there is plenty of reasons to pick this version up even if you got the previous FIFA at launch. FIFA is a true upgrade over the previous version, and as I mentioned before, is the best handheld soccer game ever created.