Real Soccer 2009 (DS) Review

Soccer may not be as big a hit in the U.S. as it is in other countries, but a global phenomenon it remains. EA Sports already has fans in a tizzy with its own soccer game, FIFA 09, but that didn't stop Gameloft from unleashing its Real Soccer 2009 on the Nintendo DS.

Gameloft made a deal with the folks at FiFPro to include actual players, but they play on generic ball clubs. However, although Real Soccer comes up short with an official license, it makes up for that with enjoyable gameplay. For those who prefer traditional d-pad and button controls, you have it here; this style also uses the shoulder buttons for speed bursts. If you prefer, touch-screen controls are also available and work very well. Passing is as simple as drawing a route to an open teammate, and shooting is a breeze. There's also penalty shooting that specifically calls for touch-screen play. In case you need some practice, a training mode is available so you can practice for hours.

Presentation-wise, Real Soccer 2009 is fairly close to what FIFA 09 offers. The players animate nicely, the field is always easy to see (no matter where you're shooting) and the game moves at a smooth pace. The sound effects aren't as lively as we'd like, but the roaring crowd pumps us up.

Still, it would've been nice for Real Soccer 2009 to have more depth. Multiplayer is probably the main highlight, as you can hook up with others who own the game to see who's got the best kicking skills in town. Unfortunately, there is no single-cartridge play.

Nevertheless, if you're looking for a soccer game, Real Soccer 09 will more than satisfy. It lacks creative modes and official teams, but the solid controls, decent presentation and real world players make it one of the DS' best sports games.