Half-time oranges at the ready

As football fans prepare for the start of the Premier League 2011/12 season, gamers will also be getting ready for this year's instalment of the FIFA series as the game approaches its retail release on the Wii and 3DS.

Developed by EA Canada, FIFA 12 will once again allow players to make those all-important transfer decisions in the Manager Mode and earn bonuses by completing challenges set at the beginning of each match.

FIFA 12 steps up the competition by including a FIFA City which players can customise by unlocking hidden players, football kits, power-ups, buildings and infrastructure. Players can take their FIFA City and compete against neighbouring cities in street and stadium tournaments as they play for the Intercity Cup.

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With over 30 officially licensed leagues, more than 500 teams and 15,000 players to choose from, players can enjoy the traditional 11-a-side play or the 5-on-5 style of street football. Either way, players can earn rewards which can be used to customise their FIFA City.

FIFA 12 key features include:

  • FIFA City — See you personalized FIFA City grow as you complete and earn awards in every game mode. Earn buildings and infrastructure, better players, passionate fans, and grow your city into one of the world’s most desirable places to play. Unlock coveted players and build your own dream club of international superstars.
  • Intercity Cup — Defeat neighbouring cities in exclusive streets and stadium tournaments to claim the Intercity Cup. Complete awards in other game modes and hit population milestones to earn rewards—better players, powerups, and new kits—to create the biggest city and best club.
  • Awards — Featuring over 100 all-new awards throughout every game mode. Net the Last Gasp Winner in injury time or score a goal from a Scorpion Kick and you are on your way to building the best FIFA City.
  • Be A Manger — All-new manager mode enables you to take your favourite club to the top of the league tables –and keep them there! A new transfer market will test your resolve as a manager and challenges you to manage your budget as you buy and sell players and upgrade facilities. Utilize a new training system to develop and train your players into the next football legends.
  • Custom Tactics — Become a first-team coach with the power to customize formations, tactics and more so CPU players and your team perform just like the real-world team or how you think the real team should play. Save your tactics to make strategic decisions to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses during the game.
  • Streets to Stadium (Be A Pro) — FIFA Wii brings its own unique style to the classic Be A Pro experience. Put yourself in the game with Create Player as you play your way from the streets into the biggest football stadiums in the world. On your way to becoming the next great football star you can unlock items such as trick packs, celebrations, or new hairstyles, earn fame and ultimately awards for your FIFA City. Choose to play locked to a player or in control of the whole squad as you try to complete your Created Player-specific match challenges-the key to your success in the mode.
  • Hit The Streets — Decked out in cool street wear, compete in 5 versus 5 street matches in famous cities and indoor environments. Customize the rules of each match for a true test of skill. Choose from different match types—first to score, Tug of War or timed—and from a variety of different goals to test your skills, including elevated nets for lofted touch shots, wall goals for continuous action and mini nets to test accuracy.
  • Hit The Pitch — Play a traditional 11 versus 11 football match, choosing from over 500 licensed teams from over 30 leagues, with authentic kits and stadiums.
  • User-Controlled Celebrations — Maneuver your player around the pitch to perform celebrations after every goal. Plus, you can unlock hidden celebrations.
  • In-game Street Power-ups — Build up momentum in your power meter and then activate game boosters at key moments in the game. Choose from power blasts, shockwaves, shoulder barges, big versus little and more. Or turn them off to play a more authentic street style.
  • Tournament Mode — Play in a variety of different offline tournaments to test your skills. Play with your friends, play against them.

FIFA 12 is scheduled for release on 27th September in North America and 30th September elsewhere.