Now rebranded as EA FC, the franchise formerly known as FIFA still holds its place as one of the most iconic names in sports gaming history. Translating the world’s most popular sport into a compelling video game experience has never been easy, and yet, since the early '90s, FIFA has managed to dominate the virtual football scene more often than not.
Of course, not every release has been a banger. Over the last 30+ years, we've seen the series hit some rough patches, with certain entries fading into obscurity almost as quickly as they dropped. But when FIFA gets it right, it absolutely nails it.
These are the games that pushed boundaries, rewrote the tactics, and left their mark on football gaming forever.
Why we chose FIFA 08
FIFA 08 slides into 5th place, and for good reason. This was the game where the series truly started to evolve. With the debut of Be A Pro mode, players could experience matches from a completely new perspective by locking into a single player for the entire game. Although basic at the time, it laid the groundwork for what would eventually become Pro Clubs and Player Career, although you could argue Be A Pro outshines what Player Career has become today.
For those jumping into FIFA on Xbox 360 or PS3, FIFA 08 was a huge leap. The graphics and gameplay felt sharper, and online play really started to take shape with proper leagues and co-op functionality.
But shoutout to the old-gen version, too. It had the Create A Club feature, letting players build a team from scratch with custom kits and crests. It was such a cool, underrated option, and honestly, strange that it didn’t make the jump to next-gen.
Overall, though, FIFA 08 was a mix of innovation and old-school charm. It brought fresh features and was pushed forward with the jump to PS3/Xbox 360. In short, a low-key classic in the series.
Why we chose FIFA 10
FIFA 10 deserves its spot as fourth on our list of the best FIFAs ever. The gameplay was fast, fluid, and fun, and you were able to score some outrageous goals with the right players in your squad.
Beyond the gameplay, though, there was Ultimate Team. Introduced the year before, it was in full swing here, as FIFA 10 created one of the most addictive modes in gaming. Building your squad, grinding for packs, and chasing those high-rated players became a new kind of obsession at the time.
What’s more, FIFA 10 gave us the Set Piece Creator, allowing players to craft their own free-kick and corner routines, which added its own unique layer of strategy to dead-ball situations.
The soundtrack, though a little niche, featured some bangers and really did match the game’s vibe perfectly. As a result, FIFA 10 was a near-perfect blend of fresh ideas and classic FIFA action, making it an unforgettable entry in the series.
Why we chose FIFA 14
FIFA 14 comfortably earns its place as arguably the third-best FIFA ever. This was the game that bridged generations, having launched on the next-gen consoles of the time. This meant it introduced some serious visual and gameplay upgrades thanks to the switch to the Ignite Engine. Everything felt smoother, sharper, and more alive, setting a new standard for the series moving forward.
But there was more to FIFA 14 than that. For example, in the advent of the 2014 World Cup, a World Cup mode was added to the game, and in doing so, injected some of the magic of the tournament onto the digital pitch. Plus, we got some cool new Ultimate Team cards from it.
Ultimate Team also hit a new level with the debut of Legends. Getting to build squads around icons of the past was a game-changer, and seeing players like Pelé or Maldini slot into your FUT XI brought a whole new kind of excitement to an already stacked FIFA game.
Why we chose FIFA 17
FIFA 17 might not take the top spot, but it’s definitely a close second when talking about the best FIFA games ever made. EA really switched things up with a clean menu layout, Marco Reus on the cover, and a whole host of new features to re-energize the series.
For example, The Journey debuted in this entry, allowing fans to play the first full cinematic story mode with Alex Hunter, letting you step into the boots of a rising star and shape his career through choices on and off the pitch. It was an exciting step towards what we all wanted Player Career Mode to be, and though it didn’t stick, it gives some hope that EA might introduce elements, like the cut-scenes and transfer sagas, into Player Careers in the future.
However, one of the biggest additions was the debut of the Weekend League in Ultimate Team—30 matches. One weekend. High stakes. Massive rewards. Sure, it was a slog and extremely difficult at the best of times, but it did, for a while, rejuvenate the Ultimate Team game mode and FIFA, in general.
Why we chose FIFA 12
FIFA 12 once ranked number one on an old RealSport101 list of the best FIFA games, and honestly, it’s still right up there today. It was the first to make Ultimate Team front and center, yet the game mode wasn’t like it is today. Silver beasts like El Shaarawy and Maikon Leite were far more fun to use than most of the overpowered special cards in current EA FC games.
The soundtrack was also top-tier, offering a perfect blend of global artists that somehow made navigating menus feel like part of the experience. FIFA was becoming more and more of a menu-driven game at the time, with things like Manager Mode, so having No Problem and Call It What You Want in the background as you sign your next superstar striker really added to the overall experience.
Overall, FIFA 12 struck a rare balance between competitive intensity and casual fun. It was unpredictable, raw, and full of character. Looking back, it’s clear it wasn’t perfect, but the sheer fun of the gameplay combined with the iconic game modes make it one of the best ever in the FIFA series.
Best FIFA Ever: Final Thoughts
From the pure joy of Career Mode, raging through Weekend League, or just vibing with a killer soundtrack while building your dream squad, the magic of FIFA lives on in these standout titles. They’re not just great football games; they’re snapshots of eras where innovation, fun, and frustration all blended into the perfect storm.
EA FC might be the new name on the box, but these five FIFAs are the reason the franchise is still standing today. They’re the blueprint, the benchmark, and in some cases, still the best. Here's hoping the future learns a thing or two from the past.