FIFA 2001

Development and Release

FIFA 2001 was developed as the sequel to FIFA 2000, with a significant focus on its debut on the new PlayStation 2 console. In Europe, the PS2 version was a launch title, releasing on 24 November 2000. Its North American release was initially planned for 7 November but was delayed to 28 November. The game also launched for Microsoft Windows and the original PlayStation on 31 October 2000. A planned Game Boy Color version was ultimately cancelled.

The game featured different cover athletes for various regions, highlighting its localized appeal. Paul Scholes graced the UK cover, Ben Olsen was featured in North America, and Spanish midfielder Gaizka Mendieta appeared on the Spanish version. In Japan, the game was published by Electronic Arts Square under the title FIFA 2001: World Championship.

Gameplay and Features

FIFA 2001 aimed to provide the most realistic football experience possible at the time. As EA Sports' first attempt to bring the series to sixth-generation consoles, it introduced new visual fidelity and gameplay mechanics. A notable addition was a power bar for shooting, giving players more control over the strength and accuracy of their strikes.

The game included all new authentic kits and super skills, designed to bring the action of football to life. While the core gameplay and features were intended to be consistent across the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 versions, the increased power of the PS2 allowed for more detailed graphics and a broader scope in capturing the sport.

Critical Reception

FIFA 2001 received favourable reviews across all platforms according to review aggregator Metacritic. Critics praised its depth, speed, and instant playability. Reviewers noted that the PlayStation 2 version was by far the most realistic and best-looking soccer game ever released at that point, and also the most fun. One reviewer stated that the PS2 was perfect for capturing the massive scope of the worldwide sport.

In Japan, the PlayStation 2 version received a score of 30 out of 40 from Famitsu magazine. Critics assured PlayStation owners that they would not miss out despite the PS2 version, as the gameplay and high fun factor remained consistent.

Awards and Sales

The game was a commercial and critical success, earning several industry awards. The PC version won Sports Game of the Year at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2000 Awards. It also won the PC Sports award at the 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, sharing the honor with Motocross Madness 2. Furthermore, it was a finalist for PC Game of the Year and Game of the Year.

The PC version was a finalist for the Sports award at Computer Gaming World's Premier Awards and was nominated for Sports Game of the Year at the CNET Gamecenter Computer Game Awards. The PlayStation 2 version was nominated for Best Sports Game (Traditional). Commercially, the PlayStation version received a Gold sales award from ELSPA in the UK, indicating sales of at least 200,000 units.

Legacy and Place in the Series

FIFA 2001 holds a specific place in the series' history as a transitional title. It was the last game before the series was rebranded as FIFA Football 2002, which succeeded it. The years 2000 and 2001 saw the FIFA series based primarily around the English Premier League, though localized versions like those in Germany and France continued.

Its release on the PlayStation 2 set a new graphical standard for football games and demonstrated EA Sports' commitment to evolving the series with new hardware. The game's critical acclaim and award wins confirmed its reputation as a high-quality sports simulation during a key period of technological change.