Game Review and Overview
FIFA Soccer 09 on Xbox 360 is EA Sports doing what it does best – refining its digital footie formula just enough to keep fans lacing up their virtual boots year after year. Released in 2008, this edition marked a solid step forward in realism, responsiveness, and tactical depth, making it a fan favorite in the late-2000s console soccer wars. If you were ever the kind of player to shout “PASS IT!” at your AI teammates in frustration, FIFA 09 finally gave them a little more sense.
Controls & Gameplay: Smooth Moves and Smart Plays
Right out of the locker room, FIFA 09 shows that it means business with improved player responsiveness and ball physics. EA touted its new animation system, which allows players to make quicker turns, more agile tackles, and smoother transitions between dribbling and shooting. And it shows. Maneuvering feels tighter, and you’re far less likely to scream at your striker for moonwalking past a golden opportunity.
The game also features “Be A Pro: Seasons” mode, which expands the previous year’s concept by letting you take control of a single player for an entire four-season career. Whether you’re rising from benchwarmer to captain, or creating your own player from scratch, it adds a deeply personal flavor to the beautiful game. Team management also feels more nuanced, thanks to the new tactical customization system that lets armchair managers tweak player behaviors and team strategy with precision.
Presentation & Polish
Graphically, FIFA 09 is slick for its time. Player models are detailed enough to be recognizable (depending on your expectations in 2008), and stadiums are lively, with crowds that actually feel like they’re reacting to the drama on the pitch. Commentary by Martin Tyler and Andy Gray is back, delivering familiar insights and British charm; though you may start to hear some lines repeated during long sessions.
The menus and presentation are clean, and loading times are relatively snappy for the era. FIFA’s ever-present licensed soundtrack also returns, delivering a globally curated selection of bangers that’ll stick in your head long after you’ve switched off the console.
Online & Multiplayer
FIFA 09 also made strides in online play. With the “Adidas Live Season” feature (available as a paid add-on), player stats could be updated weekly based on real-world performance. It was an ambitious attempt to bridge real-life football with its digital counterpart. Online multiplayer remained mostly stable for its time, and the addition of 10-on-10 “Be A Pro” matches was an impressive (if chaotic) offering for competitive players.
Final Whistle
While it may now feel like an old-timer compared to the ultra-polished titles of today, FIFA Soccer 09 was a defining moment for the series. It struck a great balance between arcade fun and sim-like realism, offering enough improvements to keep long-time fans satisfied while drawing in new players with smooth gameplay and robust features.
Whether you were curling in free kicks with Kaká or leading a scrappy lower-tier team to the Premier League, FIFA 09 was where a lot of soccer dreams lived—and where many rivalries were born on the couch and online pitch alike.
FIFA Soccer 09 Hints and Cheats
Easy money:
To easily gain money, have the transfer window open. Search for good free agent players with at least skill level 75 and below the age of 30. The more skills with younger age, the better. Sign them and offer them the highest wage you can. If your negotiator skills are low, the player you try to sign will reject your offer. Try to re-sign him with a higher offer. For example, if the player wage is $35,000 the first time, the board will only allow you $45,000 for the player. The player will reject any offer below $70,000. When you re-sign him for the second time, the board will allow you more than $80,000. You can now sign him. When the player is yours, change his status to “For Sale”. Big clubs will be interested in him and you can get a lot of money. If you manage a small club with a limited budget, do not keep this player. Otherwise, you will not have enough money for other players. In Manager mode you will have a 90 overall team. The Youth Academy in your office will have youth players of about 70 at the age of 15 or 16. You can either play with them throughout or sell them in your fourth of fifth season to earn millions of dollars.
Cheaper Players in Manager Mode:
Have the transfer window open. For example, if playing as Manchester United, put Tevez on the transfer market. Negotiate for someone like Eto