The World Cup in South Africa won’t be launching for another six weeks, but Electronic Arts is allowing gamers to enjoy some championship soccer right now, as 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa is now available in stores in North America. The European/Japanese edition will hit stores on April 30.
The game will allow players to select any one of the 199 national teams that took part in qualification, and can try to shepherd their team through every match from qualification to the FIFA World Cup Final. The game will feature all 10 official stadiums to be used in South Africa, as well. The game will also include an All-Star World Cup team comprised of 35 legendary players from the past. The “Classic 11″ teams will include, among others, star striker Roger Milla of Cameroon, who scored four goals in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and in 1994, at the age of 42, became the oldest player to play in the tournament.
For the less skilled players, 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa will have the option to use a new simplified Two-Button control that will allow gamers to pass and shoot with just two buttons, eschewing the more complicated, in-depth controls that are normally implemented in the game.
The game is out for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and PlayStation Portable, and a demo is currently available on Xbox Live Marketplace.
EA Sports Press Release:
The chance for everyone to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup became a reality today after EA announced that EA SPORTS 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa is in stores now throughout North America with eight new celebrations for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system. It will be available throughout Asia and Europe beginning April 30, 2010 in anticipation of the real-world tournament which begins in June. The videogame is also available on Wii, PSP (PlayStation Portable), iPod touch and iPhone.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa videogame will feature all the emotion and passion of the fiercest national rivalries battling on the world’s biggest stage, with all 199 national teams that took part in qualification and all 10 official stadiums to be used in South Africa. Gamers will be able to play as their home nation from qualification right through to a virtual reproduction of the FIFA World Cup Final™ and feel what it is like to score the goal that lifts a nation.
Fans can unlock the new celebrations through EA SPORTS and Coca-Cola™ channels in participating countries. After unlocking each celebration, fans can score a goal, use the controller to activate the celebrations and admire the performance via a new dynamic camera angle that delivers the emotion of each goal scored. Consumers can also admire their celebration and share with fans online by uploading to EA SPORTS Football World.
In addition, to honor the legacy of the FIFA World Cup, EA SPORTS unveiled its Classic 11 team that features 35 legendary players from past tournaments, including star striker Roger Milla of Cameroon, who scored four goals in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and in 1994, at the age of 42, became the oldest player to play in the tournament. Fans who carry the hopes and dreams of a nation into battle against fans from rival countries and win the 2010 FIFA World Cup will unlock the Classic 11 squad.
New players to the FIFA Soccer franchise can also compete for the 2010 FIFA World Cup utilizing new Two-Button controls designed to enable new gamers to pass and shoot with an accessible control scheme that utilizes just two buttons.
Visit the Official Website for more information about game features on each available platform. The game is rated“E”for Everyone by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI in Europe.
