The FIFA series has been a cornerstone of gaming's sports genre for decades. A video game adaptation of the world's most popular sport is, unsurprisingly, a popular product, and EA had a monopoly on the licensing rights of teams and player names for much of the franchise's run, which allowed the FIFA franchise to reach incredible heights of popularity.

It's not controversial to say that the series, especially in recent times, was divisive, especially since the introduction of Ultimate Team, a mode that generates eye-watering sums of money. Despite the series' issues, it had some tremendous high points and has provided countless hours of entertainment for gamers all over the world.

Updated on April 10, 2024: FIFA is one of the best-selling and most beloved franchises in the world. Soccer (or football) is the most popular sport across the world, so it makes sense that this game series is one of the most played. From a franchise spanning since the 90s, FIFA, or as it is now named EA Sports FC, has many entries in the series, including some spin-off titles such as FIFA Street. Some versions of the game are more favored than others, with later entries generally receiving lower ratings, often due to one of the biggest criticisms being the reliability of Ultimate Team and its play-to-win design. However, there are still some titles that are rated highly by fans, and this update adds five more FIFA games that are considered the best ever.

15 FIFA 22

Well Balanced Gameplay With Less Of A Focus On Pace

Considering how negative the general perception of the FIFA series has been in recent years, it may surprise some people that FIFA 22 makes it onto this list. However, to EA's credit, the game offered some of the most well-balanced gameplay in the series, which made it the best option at the time for someone looking to purchase a modern FIFA game, provided that they aren't fussed about having the latest player stats, kits, and transfers.

Unfortunately, though, the game is hampered by a lack of improvement and innovation to its game modes -- a common theme since the Ultimate Team became a money-printing machine for EA.

14 FIFA 94 (FIFA International Soccer)

The One That Started It All

Nostalgia is a powerful feeling that can mask flaws when someone thinks back to a game that they cherished during their childhood to teenage years. For many people of a certain time, FIFA 94 (known at the time as FIFA International Soccer) is a nostalgic title, and it is notable for being the first game in the FIFA series. The game kickstarted the series with a bang, as it was a huge commercial success and an impressive technical achievement for its time.

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Despite the role that nostalgia plays in the enjoyment of FIFA 94 today, it still has a charm to it that makes it worth playing today for fans of retro sports games, and the gameplay loop is surprisingly addictive. Furthermore, the infamous gameplay mechanic of being able to run away from the referee when he's trying to book a player is still as bizarre and enjoyable today as it was when the game first hit stores.

13 FIFA 09

First Mainline Game With Ultimate Team

Platform(s): PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS

Released: 2008-10-02

Developer(s): EA Canada (PS3, Wii & Xbox 360), HB Studios (PS2, PSP & PC), Exient Entertainment (DS)

FIFA 09 was an important entry into the franchise as it was the first FIFA mainline game to feature the Ultimate Team game mode. Gamers could purchase their own cards of players, build teams like never before, and put their squads against others online.

It was not until FIFA 12 that Ultimate Team took over as the main game mode but FIFA 09 deserves its plaudits for introducing it to the main series of FIFA titles. This version of the game was also the first to introduce user-controlled celebrations, something that has been a main part of the franchise going forward. Much to the annoyance of some players.

12 FIFA Soccer 08

Introduction Of Be A Pro Mode

Platform(s): Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS

Released: 2007-09-27

Developer(s): EA Canada

The first entry of the series that could be played on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, at the time, the graphics and gameplay of FIFA 08 were the best they ever had been. It was the first FIFA to include the 'Be A Pro' mode, which was a first-person camera view in which the player would take control of just one player throughout the match, a predecessor to the beloved Pro Clubs mode.

For the next-generation players of the game, cooperative online play was introduced for the first time using the new console’s internet capabilities. The online mode came with a league which gamers could play through and progress as they win games against other players online.

11 EA Sports FC 24

Introduced PlayStyles And Women Players Into UT

A groundbreaking version of the game for many reasons, the main one being it is the first entry into the franchise not called FIFA. Due to licensing agreements with the organization FIFA, EA Sports was forced to rename the game to the aptly titled EA Sports FC.

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It was innovative for a few other reasons; the first ever game to add women footballers to Ultimate Team, gamers can add their favorite women players onto the same teams as male players for the first time in the franchise. PlayStyles were also added which give players an in-game boost which reflects an aspect of the game they are good at in the real life sport. A lot of the newer features in this game are Ultimate Team-based, which leaves a sour taste for casual and offline players of the game.

10 FIFA Street 2

A Completely Different Way To Play Soccer

Platform(s): Nintendo DS, GameCube, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox

Released: 2006-02-28

Developer(s): EA Canada and Exient Entertainment (DS)

Although it was not the first FIFA game to hold the moniker of FIFA Street, the game’s sequel is considered the better game due to its improvement in graphics, gameplay, and overall quality.

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FIFA Street 2 lets gamers play a soccer video game like never before, changing from the 11v11 to a 4v4 system, which is more reminiscent of street football or Panna as it is sometimes referred to. A whole new way to play the game with a larger focus on skills and tricks, FIFA Street 2 is a spin-off done right. Before the franchise turned to micro-transactions, the FIFA Street series was all just about having fun, and it needs to make a return.

9 FIFA 07

The First FIFA Game On The 6th Generation Of Consoles

FIFA 07 is an odd entry in the series; it is one of the best FIFA games... but only for those with the Xbox 360 version. Thanks to the next-generation technology that the Xbox 360 offered compared to the PS2 and GameCube, the 360 iteration was able to implement a new sports engine.

The technological advancements also meant that FIFA 07 could offer better match data and could award "Man of the Match" accolades for the first time in the series. These changes were fantastic, but the lack of improvements in the other console releases prevents the game from being ranked any higher.

8 FIFA 2001

The First FIFA On The PS2

FIFA 2001 was one of the series' most highly anticipated entries, as it was the first to be released on Sony's PlayStation 2, an immensely popular console that would go on to cement gaming's place as a major form of entertainment.

Released just one month after the PlayStation 2 hit stores in North America, FIFA 2001 didn't disappoint, offering a significant step-up in visuals, technical performance, and gameplay. The improvement compared to the PlayStation 1 provided a boost in console sales for Sony, as it was clear to see the difference in quality between the PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 versions of the game.

7 FIFA Soccer 2003

The FIFA Game That Added Immersive Crowds And Stadiums

Never underestimate the power of ambiance, especially when it comes to sports. FIFA Soccer 2003 (known as FIFA Football 2003 outside of North America) was the first game in the series to really set the stadium alight with elaborate celebrations and a truly vibrant crowd, which made the game and, subsequently, the series, feel far more authentic and immersive than ever before.

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Furthermore, the game featured highlight packages and analysis, giving the matches a broadcast-like feel.

6 FIFA 17

The Journey Game Mode And Sleek Menu Design

​​​​​Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Released: 2016-09-27

Developer(s): EA Vancouver and EA Romania

FIFA 17 was favorable for fans due to its sleek black and yellow menu design, which was intrinsic to its cover star Marco Reus and his team, Borussia Dortmund, kit colors. The big standout for this entry in the series was the introduction of The Journey, a game mode that was heavily story-based.

Similar to the player career mode, The Journey followed Alex Hunter on his journey to become a professional footballer, and players could decide his next move and what club he plays for. Featuring cinematics and motion-capture never before seen in the franchise, The Journey was a breath of fresh air in the franchise, and it is a shame that it only lasted until FIFA 18.

5 FIFA 11

Refined Dribbling System And An Enhanced Manager Mode

The addition of many new features ensures FIFA 11 is fondly remembered. A refined dribbling system, Manager Mode that cuts out unnecessary fluff, Pro Passing that improves pass accuracy, and more all make for a smooth gaming experience.

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It can get carried away in its aim to be more realistic, but this can be overcome due to the efficiency in gameplay execution. After all, mastering the styles of the players brings a professional mentality that makes FIFA 11 a can’t-miss title.

4 FIFA 12

The Game Which Ultimate Team Took Off

As mentioned before, FIFA 12 marked a turning point in the rise of Ultimate Team, as this felt like the first game in the series where this mode took center stage and became the "main" reason for picking up a FIFA entry. This is exemplified by the fact that an "Ultimate Edition" of the game was sold in the UK, offering a variety of Ultimate Team packs and perks for those willing to dish out extra cash.

Players may look upon this negatively today, but Ultimate Team was still a relatively fresh and exciting feature at the time, and most fans welcomed its increase in prominence. FIFA 12 also implemented Tactical Defending and Precision Dribbling, which noticeably improved the gameplay.

3 FIFA 10

A Truly Polished Entry In The Franchise

This entry’s legacy is such that it’s among the greatest EA games of all time, especially when it was first released. Everything from the soundtrack, ambiance, gameplay, and presentation are all polished to a shine. The focus is also very much on the field, as the pace is kept at an exhilarating level.

Improvisation is encouraged in playing techniques, and it’s always fun to see a new way of scoring goals. Due to the quick style of play, gamers are kept on alert at all times, which means there are no dull moments to be had here.

2 FIFA 14

Technical Advancements Of The PS4 and Xbox One Proved Influential

FIFA 14 was the first game in the series to be released on seventh-generation consoles. Like the aforementioned FIFA2001, FIFA 14 stands out for the technical and visual improvements that it brought to the series thanks to the latest console hardware. Moreover, EA wasted little time in reinventing the franchise on the consoles, as they changed the gameplay engine from the Impact Engine to the Ignite Engine, offering a completely new feel to the game.

These improvements were appreciated by most critics, as FIFA 14 is one of the highest-rated games in the series on Metacritic, boasting an excellent score of 88 on Xbox One.

1 FIFA 13

Amazing Gameplay With Ultimate Team As The Main Game Mode

FIFA 13 was an important entry in the series for shaping its future, as the game made significant improvements to the series' now-trademark Ultimate Team mode, which was unofficially established as the franchise's main game mode in the previous entry, FIFA 12.

FIFA 13 was also an innovative entry in the FIFA franchise, as it offered Kinect, PlayStation Move, and Wii U controls for the first time in the series. These features were largely gimmicks that didn't stick, but they offered a nice change of pace for the franchise that fans of the series predominantly appreciated.

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