FIFA 09 Release Party! Exclusive Pics!

By: Dave Martinez | October 16th, 2008

An open bar and great food at the premiere downtown Argentine restaurant, Novocento, would have been more than enough to keep this big boy happy. I mean, take a look at these empanadas . . . .

‘Nuff Said!

But throw on top of that a 104 inch projection screen to play FIFA 09 on, and add a couple of footballers to play against (including Red Bulls Mac Kandji, Matt Mbuta and Andrew Boyens), and you have a Soccer Nerd’s Video Game Heaven!

Novecento really did this shin dig up – but that might be my bias for amazing Argentine food talking. The outside featured a sidewalk footie display, highlighted by a gorgeous flat screen where passers by could play some FIFA. The 2006 EA FIFA World Champion was on hand to show off his skill to the gathering crowds. I will have more on that later.

The place was also swarming with a bunch of beautiful FIFA 09 girls . . . .

. . . see what I’m saying?

Anyway, the night featured an all night tournament, with the winner taking home a Wii. Of course, I was in, as was my photographer (pictured above with the girlies). Let me say that this FIFA game lays last years product to waste. Here are a few observations:

- You can switch off to a player more accurately than before. If you want to switch to a specific defender, the AI is much more responsive to the logical switch than the 08 product.
- Speed. UEFA Euro 2008 was fast, but almost to a flaw. This game allows for speed on offense AND defense, where recovery of the ball and the subsequent jostling to hold on can work in either positions favor.
- Physicality. Thats what 09 is all about. You can knock people off the ball, box the ball in for protection, back track at a decent speed that does not leave the D immediately exposed. All that good stuff.
- Passing. Wow. You can spring a pass to a computer forward that will independently point out a passing lane. It is up to you to be smart enough to pick up on the gesture (here is one taken of me playing Barcelona on the left)

But enough of that – let’s get back to the party! A long story short, I advanced to the final of this tournament, which was commentated on by the announcer from ESPN Deportes. I picked Argentina (obviously), and my opponent picked England (the crowd favorite) . . . .

When all was said and done . . . I won a Wii. Argentina managed to net 4 goals, on the back of Riquelme who was playing CAM spectacularly, to Englands 1. Who says blogging doesn’t have its advantages?

So, if winning a Wii was not enough, I actually had the opportunity to play the 2006 FIFA World Champ right after the game (pictured to the right)! He came in second in last years 08 tournament as well, just to give you the necessary background. This game was for fun and I thoroughly expected a whooping . . . but when game time came, a miracle happened. I WON.

Sticking with Argentina, the champ decided to counter me with Brazil. But it was all for nothing, as I immediately went up 3 goals in the first half, and closed the half winning 3-1. Thats when he really put his game face on, concentrating on every play. In the end, the game wound up being 4-2 Argentina, with a confounded World Champ slinking away wondering what happened, and with an astounded blogger pondering the same thing.

What a great night.

The game is in stores NOW. Go out and pick this up NOW. You will absolutely not be disappointed.