Soccer gets an enhanced hand held treatment complete with a three against three format in the latest FIFA title from Electronic Arts. There's plenty of suggestions for future installments, which will likely continue, and logical reasoning for using the touch controls options, even though the traditional button movements are still available.

Like many street games, there are no referees and a large cache of available players (250 plus some unlockables). Touching is good here (why else would you have a Nintendo DS?). Flick, slide and tap the stylus for a nice range of actions. Combinations like high passes (L and touch towards teammate), also expand the gameplay options. Single and double play options are available, plus online capabilities. You can also find a game online or against the CPU. Single players get the challenge mode, which features an eclectic choice of games, including winning on a “gamebreaker” (basically a super goal), a nice feature incorporating the touch capabilities.

When the gamebreaker status bar fills (after players complete a specified amount of tricks), players can touch the target button in the lower bottom screen to activate a strong volley which builds in power and speed, making a counter fairly difficult to defend. Timed touching becomes key as players look at the action above and the touch prompt button below. Both occur at random times with little delays, but it’s relatively easy. It’s basically used the same way whether you’re on offensive or countering on defensive.

Using the touch option definitely has an advantage, most notably a physical one – your movement hand will wear out quickly because you’re required to react and make numerous quick actions. Touch movement still requires the use of the arrow pad/symbol buttons (right handed or left handed options available), but it’s still better than buttons only. You can always practice your touch timing in the kick up mode, a music/rhythm based activity requiring you turn the Nintendo DS sideways.

Physical parts of the game are plentiful. Players can always challenge/tackle the ball handler (sliding into him is pretty cool too), especially when you’re in close proximity. Most the time you can keep the ball away from defenders by constantly passing. AI could be improved here because you can often pass through opponents who should easily intercept the ball. When the opponent rarely does intercept the ball, the animation looks like he’s tripping over it, but does break it up. Players are often shaken and stop, after hits or when they get burned on a nifty trick.