By gamingepicenter.com 
The Early Days: Classic FIFA Titles
As a long-term lover and player of football games for over twenty years, I have been lucky to see how far the franchise has come from those early days in 2004. The early entries may not have been as feature-rich or deep as what we currently expect, but they helped set the stage for where the series would go next. Both FIFA 2004 and FIFA 2005 were distinguished by the “off the ball” buzzword mechanics that led to a lot of sly play, but without skill moves or analog stick controls they felt limited in scope. Still, they are classics that I love and cherish as a long-time fan. So lets dive into 20 Years of FIFA, A Look Back at the Best Games Since 2004
The FIFA franchise was at its peak in the mid-to-late 2000s with titles such as FIFA 06, 07, and 08 bringing us a more fast-paced arcade-style of play. The change that occurred in 2008 thanks to the introduction of skill moves revolutionized how flair and creativity could be expressed on the virtual pitch.
The introduction of Ultimate Team was one such mode that made its debut on FIFA 2009, and would endure to become a colossus in the ever-dynamic world of EA’s football juggernaut. I wasn’t an early adopter, but in the years that followed I wasted no time immersing myself into Ultimate Team’s addictive squad building and competitive nature. Read more such articles on Gamingepicenter.com
The Golden Era: FIFA 12 to FIFA 16
The era between FIFA 2012 and the release of FIFA22016 can be tagged as The Golden Age in series history. This blended a happy medium between arcadey fun gameplay and some decent level of realism, making them two of my favorite FIFA experiences to date.
For me, FIFA 12 stands out the most as I couldn’t stop myself from “body-fanning” my opponents in practice games for hours on end due to how fluid dribbling mechanics and skill passes were. This was the era of those montage-worthy goals and face-paced online matches that made this time so very special.
Age of the Tryhards: FIFA 17 and beyond
The inception of eSport with both the FIFA World Cup as well as the competitive ecosystem in FIFA 17 was definitely a turning point for how EA intended to take their perennial franchise product. The inclusion of FUT Champions and the Journey mode helped FIFA 17 in becoming one of their best-ever versions thanks to those two modes.
Regardless of the flaws within FIFA 23, last year was a solid effort and kept me hooked well into the next year. The World Cup mode, while being almost two months late to the party, has been good fun and a decent addition to FIFA as we know it.
The Future: FIFA 24 and beyond
Looking ahead, some of those hopes reflected concerns about what EA SPORTS FC would be like in practice. The game, upon its release, seemed to have some potential with a revived emphasis on skill and finesse in the gameplay. But the new patches bring only a few changes that might disrupt your overall play experience. Such changes are compounded by the disruptions in the reinforcement of dynamic pricing and highlighted even more due to EA opting towards untradeable content for this iteration, has – personally – seen me feeling further removed from what a FIFA experience should be. It’s a multifaceted issue that transcends the game itself.
Long-term, the future of the FIFA series is really up in the air and while my opinion might marginally differ from yours or anybody else’s for that matter, I still retain hope that football will come home to our highly esteemed friends in Vancouver where they can refine their craft yet further; inevitably producing a memorable (or an EA SPORTS FC release) experience once more partaking in both magical charm of yesteryear with competitive force and content-driven longevity being integral elements affixing memories.
Ranking Every FIFA Game from 2004
FIFA 2015 – One of my big years, very skill-based gameplay with viral content creation.
FIFA 2017 – Marking the debut of FUT Champions, The Journey mode, and Frostbite engine.
FIFA 2006 – A World Cup year with different games sold with unique flavor each time. A true classic.
FIFA 2008 – The year skill moves truly shone with the practice arena and pro mode.
FIFA 2012 – Fluid dribbling, body-fanning, and arcade-style fun established this as best in the series by a country mile.
FIFA 2014 – The year my celebration motion capture was in the game. Best day of my life!
FIFA 2007 – Decent follow-up with crossing and international competition taking center stage.
FIFA 2011 – Early taste of the Golden Era with improved dribbling and super-early Ultimate Team.
FIFA 2013 – Not as groundbreaking but EA still had tricks left in the battle for best FIFA title.
FIFA 2023 – Despite questionable patches, FIFA 2023 succeeded in keeping me engaged with quality content.
With the FIFA series marching steadily towards honing its core ingredients, I’m excited to see where it goes next. Regardless of whether it’s attached to the FIFA moniker or slotted underneath an EA SPORTS FC umbrella, my enthusiasm for this beautiful game and its virtual counterpart remains as strong as ever.
20 Years of FIFA, A Look Back at the Best Games Since 2004 Final Thoughts
Reflecting on two decades of FIFA games, it’s clear that the series has had an incredible journey, marked by both highs and lows. From the early days of limited mechanics to the golden era of fluid gameplay and skill moves, FIFA has consistently pushed the boundaries of what a football video game can offer. The mid-to-late 2000s brought us fast-paced arcade action, while the introduction of Ultimate Team revolutionized the franchise, creating a global phenomenon that still captivates players today.
The golden era from FIFA 12 to FIFA 16 stands out as a pinnacle of the series, balancing fun gameplay with realism and delivering some of the most memorable experiences for fans. As the franchise evolved, the competitive ecosystem and eSports elements introduced in FIFA 17 and beyond have solidified FIFA’s place in the gaming world, despite occasional missteps and controversies.
Looking ahead, the transition to EA SPORTS FC raises questions about the future direction of the series. While changes and new features continue to shape the gameplay experience, the core elements that have made FIFA beloved by millions remain intact. As a long-time fan, I remain optimistic and hopeful that EA will continue to refine and innovate, creating new and exciting experiences that capture the magic of football both on and off the virtual pitch.
Whether it’s through nostalgia for the classics or anticipation for future releases, my passion for FIFA remains unwavering. The journey from 2004 to today has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I look forward to what the next chapter holds for this iconic series.
20 Years of FIFA, A Look Back at the Best Games Since 2004 FAQs
What is considered the greatest FIFA game of all time since 2004?
FIFA 2006 is considered one of the “greatest of all time” FIFA titles, with thousands of matches played and a major breakthrough in competitive play.
What unique feature did FIFA 2004 have?
FIFA 2004 had a unique “off the ball” functionality that could be abused in interesting ways, although it didn’t have the same level of detail and features as later titles.
What is considered the best FIFA game ever by some players?
FIFA 2013 is widely regarded as the best FIFA game ever by some players.
What was the last FIFA game that showed all player attributes without needing scouting?
FIFA 2013 was the last FIFA game that showed all player attributes without needing scouting.
What other notable FIFA titles were highlighted in the video?
FIFA 07 and 08 were also highlighted as great football games when the series really started to improve, while FIFA 15 and earlier titles in the 2010s were generally viewed more positively than recent releases.
What specific features from older FIFA games were memorable for some players?
The celebration animations in FIFA 2000 and the wavy balloon things in FIFA World Cup 2002 were memorable for some players.
What years were the high points of the FIFA franchise according to the consensus?
The mid-2000s FIFA titles like 2006 and the earlier 2010s releases like 2013 are considered the high points of the franchise over the past 20 years.
How are more recent FIFA releases viewed compared to older titles?
More recent FIFA releases have received more mixed reviews compared to the mid-2000s and earlier 2010s titles.
What were some of the unique features of FIFA 2006?
FIFA 2006 was released in a World Cup year, with multiple versions including a Champions League game.