FIFA 18 on Switch to Include Ultimate Team, EA Boasts of Most 'Advanced' Portable Version

Career mode was literally all I cared about. Pre ordered.

I'll buy it because it looks ok

If only Battlefront II was on the Switch...guess I'll be playing it on my Xbox later this year.

'Switch Kick Off' sounds interesting. I guess its' probably a mode designed for being played on the go, with maybe a quicker play time? Who knows.

Thank god Career Mode and FUT are there. This version is actually compelling now.

So my feeling with this is that they want people to buy both a full console version and the switch version by marketing them as home and portable versions. Just EA being lazy and greedy again in my eyes.

Looks decent. Erm..Isn't that the wrong Ronaldo on the cover? Lol.

Never cared about these games on other consoles, still don't care about them on Switch.

No Frostbite so it's still an inferior version. Not surprised that this is the only game EA is making for Switch.

Still confused about the lack of Frostbite. Games on PS3 and 360 used it. Not the latest version, perhaps, but some version.

@Leostacks career, but not story mode

I knew they wouldn't show the Switch version. Gotta find some way to big up a lazy effort. "Most 'Advanced' Portable Version" lol

The only screenshot from in-game on the EA website and you can't even read the on-screen text.

@GrailUK I believe the deluxe version has Brazilian Ronaldo on the cover as opposed to Cristiano.

I'm not buying this if it doesn't have online multiplayer.

Looks like EA is kind of giving this game the Wii treatment: it will take away main modes but add replacements made for the Nintendo version of an EA game

Day one for me! Fut is so addictive. Career mode is great entertainment and to kick other switch users arse online is a must. Defo offers enough game modes to warrant decent sales.

@Bustacap I couldn't stand the journey mode in FIFA 17. I thought it was inferior to the regular career mode/be a pro mode, so I'm not sad that's missing.

The indications are.... EA with fifa are treating the switch as a portable only console and not the intended hybrid?

The best portable version yet?, surely means please don't compare this to the other home console versions?

I hope it works out and sells well, as any & all 'good' 3rd party support is welcome.

Lol @ "the best portable console version"

What other portable console versions are there?? Vita? 3ds? Tablet? Idk someone please enlighten me because this kinda like political speak

The fact that it includes Career mode and is on the Switch gets my money. Now I'll even be able to play whilst the other half wants the TV. Hopefully it doesn't feel like too much of a step down coming from Fifa 17 on my PS4.

I'd say if they're going to market it as "the best portable version" it should be the same price as any other 3DS/Vita game, and not the full home console price.

Well I'm happy to see UT,career and online tournaments are in there.That's enough to justify a purchase for me as I'm sure the game will play fine.Question is,will enough folk buy it so we can always find other players online.

@uhhhhhhhhThere is a mobile version too.

I think EA are being smart marketing this more as a high quality portable game.

Need to see it running though. That screenshot is obviously not the switch version as it looks terrible. Can't even read the text.

Ultimate Team has never been on Nintendo before. As a Nintendo exclusive gamer I'm not even quite sure what it is. Glad it's here, finally

FIFA 18 on Switch actually sounds pretty decent. The lack of the Journey mode is definitely a bummer, but FIFA Ultimate Team being present is a good confirmation, as that's the backbone to the success of the franchises.

ill be getting this , simple as

will be buying this now that ultimate team mode has been confirmed. Lets hope this plays and looks better then the ps3/360 versions at least.

Not too fussed about Frostbite or the story mode.

Please get out there and buy this everyone. Maybe that'll make EA take notice that they need to make FIFA for Nintendo consoles.

Great I'm sure people will love this

Unless I'm totally missing it, I don't see any mention of online features which seems rather curious.

Magic

@ningeek185 If Nintendo consoles EVER get a Battlefield game, I'd be shocked, and buy them there day one. However, since I still own a console that plays Battlefield 2, I'll get the game there.

Anyway, I will probably get FIFA 18 on Switch because I like soccer games, they're second to basketball video games for me. Plus, being able to play on the go and on my TV is a good enough sell for me.

'Ultimate Portable Version'
Brah, that's Fifa 95 on Game Gear... the only Fifa I own.

Hmmmm...... I'm very mixed about this. On one hand, I am really disappointed with the lack of story mode, but I do like the idea of portable Ultimate Team. I might get it when it gets cheaper, but I hope future versions include more features.

Was the story mode in FIFA that good? Very sincere question

They truly are going out of their way to call this the inferior version

"...The game delivers the most technologically-advanced portable FIFA experience ever, outputting 1080p resolution when docked and 720p on handheld. Players are the most realistic they’ve ever been due to new Physically Based Player Rendering, and immersive, 3D environments that bring the pitch to life..."

Career mode? Then day 1 for me.

Finally aome good news about fifa, will be in my list for sure! Tnx EA.

Unlike the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of FIFA, the Switch version will actually have Physics Based Rendering. FIFA on Switch truly is a custom version of FIFA. Take that how you will...

BTW here is an actual screenshot of FIFA on the Switch, not a poorly photoshopped image plastered onto a Switch.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DB_N5aJUAAAlK4C.jpg:orig

Day 1 for me. All mine

Day 1 for one me - portable FIFA 18 - features included can't wait

Hmm. They are could be winning me over. Need to see more before I take the plunge. Also they really need to price this fairly.

That screenshot!!!! Looks like the game is running 300p lol!

Being a house full of boys FIFA is a must for me. In the past I've ended up getting both the ps4 and IOS versions as my boys don't have tvs in their own rooms. If this covers both couch PvP, single portable and online multiplayer its the clear choice for me.

EA sucks and so do sports games a total waste of money and time!!! My money is staying in my pocket!!!

@LeRaposa Because all that matters is graphics, right?!? If so, why do you play on under powered consoles instead of a good gaming computer?

Wake me up when they port EA UFC 2 to the Switch....

@SanderEvers
Full PR
"HOLLYWOOD, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) revealed the first feature details of EA SPORTS™ FIFA 18 on the Nintendo Switch™ console. The game delivers an authentic and immersive football experience, allowing fans to play the world’s game anytime, anywhere.

This new edition brings the modes fans know and love, including FIFA Ultimate Team™, Career Mode, Kick Off and Local Seasons, making it the deepest portable game ever to be introduced by EA SPORTS FIFA. Ultimate Team fans will get to participate in beloved features like Squad Building Challenges, Online and Offline Seasons, Tournaments, and Draft. Players will enjoy live campaigns connected to the narrative of the football season, the Transfer Market, and more Ultimate Team features that will be revealed very soon.

“FIFA 18 on Nintendo Switch is the best FIFA you can take with you anywhere, play anytime and with anyone,” said Producer, Andrei Lăzărescu. “We’re delivering the immersive and authentic experience that fans expect from FIFA, while leveraging innovative ways to play both at home and on the go with Nintendo Switch.”

The game takes advantage of the console’s unique portability, allowing players to enjoy the game in docked, handheld or tabletop mode, and utilizing local multiplayer connection for Local Seasons. Multiple control schemes are also featured, so whether you prefer to play handheld, dual Joy-Con™, single Joy-Con or Pro Controller, there’s an option to fit your playstyle.

The game delivers the most technologically-advanced portable FIFA experience ever, outputting 1080p resolution when docked and 720p on handheld. Players are the most realistic they’ve ever been due to new Physically Based Player Rendering, and immersive, 3D environments that bring the pitch to life.

In addition to unique control and gameplay features, as well as a robust FIFA Ultimate Team, players can participate in Local Seasons across two Switch consoles, as well as Kick-Off mode, Career, Online Seasons, Tournaments, Women’s International Cup and Skill Games.

Join the EA SPORTS FIFA community at Facebook and on Instagram. Follow us on Twitter @easportsfifa and use the hashtag #FIFA18.

FIFA 18 is developed by EA Vancouver and EA Romania and will be available worldwide on September 29 for Nintendo Switch."

@Geeks4Life That comment!!!! It makes you look ignorant as hell!

Most advanced portable version. And also the least advanced portable version.

I'm still OK with the PES for 3ds

@Geeks4Life There are some much better screenies starting to circulate.

Looks good.

1080p docked, 720p handheld, a variety of modes, AI improvements from FIFA17, online and offline, single joycons supported which means multiplayer anywhere, also dual joycons and pro controller...

Ya. That'll work.

@Geeks4Life
"looks 300p"

It's 1080p docked/720p handheld

@Rybo FUT is included so no need to worry about online. It will be in the game

lack of frostbyte means they don't intend to produce other switch games. This is a one off to get on the console launch stage, but EA is abdicating as usual. Same old same old.

Dang...people here got really offended when EA called FIFA on Switch the "most advanced portable version", when that's exactly what it is, and exactly what differentiates this version of FIFA from the other versions.

I fully expected EA to port over the Xbox 360 "Legacy Edition" version of FIFA 18, call it a day, and stop supporting the Switch once the game failed.
Instead, it seems like EA developed the best version of FIFA on the Switch that they possibly could have without porting the Frostbite engine onto the Switch.

I'm sorry, but is the website having problems or is this an actual new layout for the home page? It looks quite confusing and not at all practical lol

EDIT: I will buy FIFA, who knows, it could be fun if there are enough people online.

@NEStalgia If it's been built exclusively for Switch surely they'll want to make more use of the engine?If it sells well enough,we'll probably get the same game next year with a couple of gameplay additions.If it flops,then we'll get the exact same game with only squads updated.But then again,it's EA,this is probably our lot for this gen.

Like Dr. Sheldon said, "build it and they will come".

As long as it's a decent game, people will buy it.

Big football fan here, but no story mode = no buy for me.

@ricklongo Whats the big plus about story mode? ( I've skipped the last few games )

I get it that EA is trying to emphasize the visual competence for the audiences who both get hard to graphical lush and tend to consider portable editions a graphical parody of the terafloppy platforms (although as far as I played the free weekend of FIFA 17 via remote play, my eye was frankly challenged to tell vital differences from the FIFA 14 version I have on Vita itself). But "leading" and "most advanced" sound like the game is also coming to Vita and/or 3DS to enable such comparison, and I don't see anything mention them (I don't count iOS/Android since it doesn't seem like a big feat to surpass a port that offers four buttons tops and barely a single one mappable, let alone ergonomic, for gaming purposes).

Doubt I'll get it im more of a Madden fan,but sounds like it's got the modes people wanted.

as long as it has effort into it. it will be the best port ever.

...hopefully
...maybe
...probably not

but will see!

Wait a minute
pulls sticker off cover
"fifa 15"
I KNEW IT

@kobashi100 Thanks for clarifying!

It's also releasing on September 29? What a miracle, EA may be getting better after all. We won't get a gimped version!

Last Fifa I got was Fifa 10 for my PS3. I truly wouldn't care if EA just ported that over to Switch with updated players and stats. Honestly, you don't really need more than one Fifa per console, and career mode is the only feature I would have truly missed if they'd axed it. Pretty keen on this, TBH.

Hey EA, how about you make the most advanced portable Battlefront 2 while you're at it?

All ea sports needs is the Ultimate team mode and the online league like EASHL and whatever the equivalents are in the other sports.

Story mode is just padding and a load of crap.

Instead of focusing on what mode isn't there, they need to be screaming that this is the ONLY true online and offline multiplayer version of any ea sports game.
I will buy sports games on Switch over my PS4 every single time.

Just wish they'd have done NHL instead of crap soccer

Bought.

This is great news.

@McGruber it's got ultimate team so it must have online multiplayer. Ultimate team is online only

Today's class: It will be similar to psvita history: "FIFA for PS Vita", then FIFA 13 with very minor enhancements, and then just legacy versions 14 and 15 with roster updates. This version for switch will be great, but next year it will be just a legacy version. Anyway, EA's marketing for switch was fine

Just would like to add something. For me, the idea of taking my home console and just play elsewhere is the best thing about the NS.. Why are people so mad they called it a portable? It's not?

If it doesn't even have the story mode there's no way I would even consider buying a sports game.

The marketing implies they are putting some effort into it rather then just shovelling out a completely stripped down FIFA game. Even though most sports games don't appeal to me I hope this sells well enough for EA to invest further development in the Switch

@KirbyTheVampire
Me too.
Not interested at all with soccer.
Btw, any another games information from EA just now ?

@UK-Nintendo
Hey...
I thought you just only play First party games ...
Well ...

So I guess EA just doing FIFA on the Switch so far??

@Anti-Matter lol. No.
First party Nintendo is my favourite.
I have my PlayStation for everything else but mainly for streetfighter V

Virtual console is not for me 😉
Nes. Snes. N64. GC. Wii. U
Gb. Gbc. Gba. Ds. 3ds

Again, why is people so mad because EA is saying best portable version? The Switch is a portable console!!! At least the majority of people over at reddit Nintendo Switch are happy so this may sell well.

Is kinda ironic since I see people in here all the time saying they will take a downgrade in graphs in exchange for portability. EA does exactly that and some are mad. Internet being internet I guess.

Inb4 Switch KickOff is you strapping the joycons to your ankles and using it to score goals.

Not a big soccer fan but I may snag this if I hear good things

Eh, any information about The Sims 4 from EA conference 2017 ?
I can't find the video segment from Youtube...

This will damage the console. Many people buy PS4 just to play FIFAs...

Looks like from here on out any gimped version of AAA games that Switch gets will be marketed as 'the best portable version' etc to make up for pubs not wanting to put as much money in Nintendo versions as the others. Yay...

I'm torn on whether or not to get this. It doesn't sound like too crappy a port and I would like EA to stay with Nintendo on principle, but there are so many better sounding games on Switch right now that I want to pick up. Do I really care about boring old Fifa?

You guys are too sensitive. The Switch isn't as powerful as the PS4. Maybe they could have ported the Frostbite engine and didn't, but the Switch version would have been definitively worse had they done that. Will the Switch version still be worse? Probably, but we'll see when we see how the physics engine works. And even then I think the marketing is spot on. The Switch ace in the hole is portability. As a Madden/NHL fan, if those games come to Switch they are insta-buys for me. Even if they are worse than the HD twin versions. Having a console level game of those on the go is too good to be true. So hopefully it'll happen.

@Jessica286 great post. I am with you on this. The switch is a portable in my eyes so nothing wrong with EA claiming it's the biggest portable version of fifa ever.

@RodSD64 I was one of them (FIFA 17 just looked really good because I hadn't played one since 09). Honestly, the story mode wasn't all that great, so as long as everything else is present I might as well buy 18 on Switch.

Well I'm glad they have career mode, that is all I cared about it having. Career mode was a deal breaker for me. I assumed it would have it though, just didnt seem like a mode they would cut out.
I heard it won't be including the journey mode, which is fine with me. Now I'll definitely be buying once it comes out.

huh, they didn't lazy this one out as a I expected

@jancotianno

Is the Switch sells as poorly than the Vita then yes, I'd expect little from future iterations. If the Switch outsells the Vita this year (as expected), I'd expect a good deal of effort from 3rd parties.

Unsurprisingly gimped. Konami should release Pro Evo and sweep up.

@thomasbw84 i just read through the live blog for the EA conference. OMG i was almost rolling on the floor! That was hysterical and far more entertaining than the actual snoozefest the conference was!

I tuned out for the last battlefield segment. I couldn't take it anymore. I was enjoying watching my new table fan spin more than watching the show and realized it was time to turn it off.

Your blog made those hours of my life have meaning.

@Malcrash
Short answer? No

In depth answer? It felt like a gimped version. I play NBA 2k, the story mode there is very good. Make your character, position, training, decisions that affect the growth of your character, even down to which advertising opportunities and shoes. It's basically a sports RPG( inuzuma 11 please come to Switch!).

The journey was you playing a premade character, you didn't make as many decisions, it felt like a lesser career mode. Personally I also scouted for players and found a fave that sort of became my pet project as I took them from 15 year old starlet to 22 year old next best thing.

In conclusion, not having the mode is a loss that is WELL compensated by the ability to play FIFA anywhere IMO.

@UK-Nintendo you'd do well to continue that trend and grab 18 on PS4 too.

I think it's great EA is taking a chance and if I had a Switch I would definitely purchase this hoping it turns out great. I'm sure they would consider the Frost version for the future releases. This selling well could bring more major games. Nintendo fans and Nintendo need this to be successful.

I have to say I have been nervous about this since I heard it was coming. But this has put to bed 80% of my worries. I didn't care much about Alex hunter, perhaps the next journey will be better( because the last one pales in comparison to what 2K has in their franchise), but if not, I would rather play on the go than have the story mode.

I play 70% career, 30% FUT, so hearing they are including both in the Switch has me very happy. I won't preorder though. I need to see the game in action. Graphics aren't the most important thing to me, but if it plays poorly( missed tackles, ice skating on the pitch, etc) then I'll give up my dreams of FIFA in class and stick with my PS4.

PS even though I view my Switch as a portable more ofthen than not, the most advanced portable version is a bit disconcerting. It's almost like they are setting the stage to put out a much more inferior version, but say it's so much better than the App Store FIFA though lol!😂

So it's only missing a story mode? I'm actually okay with that. I don't even buy sports games for story anyway, so it's no big loss or anything. Still kinda upset that the performance is not gonna be good though. Sure, 1080p in TV Mode, but the graphics will look like the PS3 and 360. Extremely lazy on EA, so for that I'm not gonna pay full price on it. I'll wait till it gets a price drop.

@Dr_Corndog I think it is because EA is not fully on the Switch train so they do not want to spend the money and effort to port frostbite.

From what I've heard from FIFA fans, career mode and FUT are the most important modes.

Looks like they put out the best version they possibly could without porting Frostbite. Not bad, EA.

I do want to see gameplay but yeah I will be purchasing this. They did more than enough in my opinion. Hopefully Nintendo fans switch owners Support the game.

Portable FIFA with tons of game modes and advanced physics. That's what I need.

@Leostacks

Career mode for the win.

I would have liked your reply twice, but it wasn't possible so I just say that you said it best.

@wiggleronacid

It was good, but it wasn't something that I will miss in the Switch version.

It was a fun diversion and I did play it through once but for me personally it has always been about a good career mode. I don't even play Ultimate Team which is by far the most popular mode nowadays.

Story mode was fun, but not essential.

On Madden on the other hand... I need that LongShot

@MrGamerClock64 How do you know the performance isn't going to be good?It's hard to tell how the graphics are from the screens I've seen so far.They're not the best quality.if you zoom in you can't even make out the text.

@OorWullie
The fact that EA is so lazy that they would even reuse the exact same thing from previous games as far as from a generation ago. It's no surprise if the visuals on the Switch are gonna be bad, especially since it's not gonna use the Frostbite Engine.

The story mode is maybe cut out because they need to limit the size to fit on a cartridge? Hopefully not much extra downloads needed. The fact that FUT is there makes this very promising to me. It will probably be miles better than the 3DS versions ever were and I even liked having them on the go! Most likely day 1 buy and looking forward to seeing some actual video and screenshots soon

Just to clear everyone here IT'S NOT GONNA BE THE SAME AS XBOX 360/PS3 VERSIONS. I think EA has done a good job trying to get the best possible version for the Switch. It's still gonna be Pre Frostbite engine FIFA game, but not the PS3/Xbox 360 version. It's gonna be based off the first next gen FIFA game and that is FIFA 14/15/16 for PS4 which is based on Ignite engine and not the previous gen version because the previous gen versions don't have PBR (Physical Based Rendering) http://nintendoeverything.com/wp-content/uploads/fifa-18-screen.jpg
even the PC had to wait a year to finally get the next gen ignite engine version in FIFA 15. Switch isn't getting the Alex Hunter story experience because that mode is made on Frostbite engine and what we have here is a completely different engine and that's the reason why but EA haven't left out the most important And popular features and FUT (FIFA Ultimate Team) is here. And they've made improvements in AI from the FIFA 17 game which is a great thing, all of these shows they've tried to get the best possible version for Switch. So this has my vote and I'm sure if this version does well they'll take the effort to port frostbite engine version eventually if it's possible but what people need to understand is it takes time and effort, and that the switch is no PS4. It just isn't powerful enough and the engines need to be tweaked heavily and optimised. Now i wanna see the game in action. But i think it's gonna be a good experience overall and you get to play it anywhere.

@Kuhang That's great news.It sounds like they've definitely put the effort into it and are giving Switch as good a version as it can possibly expect at this stage.

I would much prefer if football manager classic was release on the switch. It was great on the ps vita. But with a bigger screen and more processing power off the switch it would be amazing.

So by "local seasons" they mean no online seasons? That's poor. Year 2017 and no online. Amazing.

@Aneira It does have online seasons as well as tournaments.Local seasons is a new addition.It has everything the other versions have except for the Journey 2 and is built using the Ignite engine.

Hmm still using the ignite engine, it probably will play and look similar to the psvita and ps3 versions with a slight face-lift and crap motion controls. Can't see EA developing many games for switch, no frostbite= no games. Shame really because SW Battlefront would be a good sell on switch. Regardless of game engine I still expect this fifa to get good sales, I ain't bothered it's on ignite engine but it's just a shame it's not on frostbite because of all their other games that use it

Commendable they put effort into the ignite engine, but didn't Nintendo say the Switch was a home console first, not a portable. EA said this is a portable.

Think they could have done better. But I'll pick it up as a good footy game is always welcome.

Football is a game. The last time I checked, gameplay is the fundamental aspect of a game. I cannot see how the engine is relevant really, unless you are like Thomas Whitehead who likes to look at topless pictures of Ronaldo...(heheh)

If FIFA PS3 was good this should be definitely better. Don't be fooled by moaners, and review the game honestly, not biased.
No one likes EA but games should be judged impartially. Who needs Frostbite? We know the limitations of the hardware, so just review it taking this in mind because there are people that want just the best experience on the Switch console, not just a perfect port from other (beefed up) platforms. People will want to play this on their bed too or on their train, etc.

P.S.: Online multiplayer is a necessity.

One game. ONE. GAME.

Take a nap EA, all of that corporate whoring must be exhausting.

Dont really Care about the graphic i just ned the 60fps to enjoy

@NEStalgia I dipped in and out of the conference to see what was going on - Star Wars Battlefront 2 just looked like a whole heap of shooting, watched for 10 secs....cut back later for about 10 seconds and saw what looked like Battlefield but could have been anything really, more bobbing guns, more dark graphics and more rubble.

Anyway FIFA. I'm not really the target market for it, but there's millions of FIFA players out there, and the prospect of FIFA anywhere is an enticing proposition if it plays well. I don't think a few beads of sweat or slightly less fancy fabric or grass will make much of a difference. It could be big.

A half baked product. I 'm surprised that all of you here are ok with that.

@arpaktiko perhaps because 8th generation of hardware specs has offered only so many things that would feel like eggs and flour for a well-baked product rather than frosting on it.

The e3 presentation was much better than anticipated. But id definitely want to play fifa on my pc with all the functions and best presentation.

This was only the ea presentation. Im starting to get hyped for nintendo.

@arpaktiko Most Nintendo fans are in denial and believe it's all the other companies fault that Nintendo released hardware 4 years after this competition, yet so inferior that it can't be fit into modern development without massive compromises.

@arpaktiko 2 player Fifa football on the go is going to print money!

@gatorboi352 I might do for me. I bought a switch for my son and I'll play with them whenever wherever in the house tho 😉

@VoodooTrumpet leaving it one mode doesn't equal gimped.

Konami are not releasing PES on switch.

Video of FIFA running on switch

https://youtu.be/9r5pQioPj44

The french jeuxvideo.com journalist gave some impressions on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaarajJV/status/873672083246632964

In terms of gameply he mentions "very close sensations" to PS4 version of FIFA 18. Graphics wise he says it's between PS3 and PS4 versions (with less lighting effects).

Very good surprise according to him.

People need to give EA some props here. They proved lots of us wrong with FIFA.

Give me International Super Star Soccer instead.

@MrGamerClock64 how does frostbite engine determine the quality of graphics? You can put frostbite on Switch but the graphics are not gonna look like a PS4 game.

The switch has its limitations. Can the switch run frostbite? Yes of course, PC gamers have got frostbite games running on PC with specs lower then the Switch.

EA are looking at costs and resource management though so unfortunately no frostbite on Switch yet

And for the record people should keep there NBA 2K expectations in check. Quick to blast EA but NBA 2K could be worse.

For all we know that game could be a straight port of 360 version of 2K17 with updated rosters.

2K haven't confirmed the Switch game is a port of the PS4 version

Well the game is mostly intact with the best features included. I'll be keeping my preorder now.

I think this looks really good, the frostbite is neither here nor there to me, if the game does well they might just bring parity with the other consoles next year if it's really that important. The switch has its own unique selling points that PS4 XB1 don't though so I'm happy with what we are getting. it'll be my first Fifa since about 2009, looking forward to it now.

Obviously it was always going to be the most advanced portable version: The last frikin' dedicated version would have been on the likes of 3DS or PS Vita; it would be an abomination if the Switch version wasn't more advanced than those versions. So, saying it's the most advanced portable version of the game doesn't really mean much at all. It lacking stuff from the other home console versions and not running on the Frostbite engine says more to me.

@JaxonH I know.. Just making a funny observation

@Amsterdamsters You are entitled to your opinion.

I've only ever played Fifa at a friends house years ago. If this has online play and my buddies pick it up, then so will I.

The idea of being able to take a beefier sports game on-the-go is the real draw for me. It's likely that EA knows this is a strength, hence all the wording around "portable console" instead of just lumping it in as a regular release alongside XBO/PS4 versions.

@kobashi100 Cheers for that video.It looks really good,much better than I expected.Hats off to EA,they've delivered.Day one purchase for me.

@Malcrash
Personally no! I always give story mode a go but quickly give up and never touch it again. Multiplayer and Ultimate Team is where It's at for me.

Looks like Fifa on Switch will be getting my money this year.

@kobashi100
Looking good in handheld going off the video you posted. Thanks!

check eurogamer impressions and interview

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-11-fifa-18-on-nintendo-switch-is-the-best-portable-fifa-ever

Oh and EA confirm frostbite can run on switch. so can we stop the switch cant handle frostbite talk for good now.

the switch version really does have its own custom engine.

for me it will be FIFA on the go and PES at home.

I wouldn’t get hung up on the graphics. The greatest football game ever made is Sensible World of Soccer and that has players that are 10 pixels high.

Being able to play FIFA in the pub with your mates is a bigger deal.

I'll bite! Although I could get on my PS4 and get a superior version, I will support EA on Switch with the hope that sales are good and they keep supporting the console

@kobashi100
It's lazyness. Epic Games was hard at work getting their Unreal Engine 4 to run on the Switch. EA hasn't done anything.

I recon this will be a BIG hit. Playing a proper FIFA game on the go, out and about - with your pals and without a wifi connection - can be a MASSIVE draw for fans of the game - especially young people.

Plenty of Nintendo fans want EA to make an effort so the hordes of people who are indifferent or might write off the system actually pay attention - and the system can thrive. Well together with Nintendo's recent excellent marketing this game may be a fairly big step in the right direction.

Just picture the ads of teens and twenty somethings around the world playing FIFA in the park, on street corners, on the bus or train on the way to the match - at half time. Once we see footballers playing this on their away trips it will catch on big time.

The World Cup 2018 will be a massive marketing opportunity for this and Nintendo!

@foobarbaz how is is not like the real versions. It hasn't got the frostbite features yes but it's not stripped down at all

@foobarbaz I think we'll see quite a few more "portable versions" of 3rd party games for the Switch. It'll be used as marketing speak to set expectations and differentiate from the beefy graphics on the much more powerful consoles and PC's - especially with the PS4 + Scorpio widening that gap significantly.

It might sound crap to someone who bought a Switch because they believe in the system and want to play Nintendo games, but it might just be the thing that persuades a load of others to jump on board.

Either way, the versions are always going to differ - and portability is the reason and the benefit - as that's what Nintendo chose to prioritised over performance with the design of the Switch.

Would be interested to see if people like yourself end up with both versions after seeing others playing it out and about.

@kobashi100 I think that when they start showing us gameplay must people will be persuade to buy it. Hopefully thats the case.

Ultimate team, couldn't be happier.
Day one.

I don't get the obsession with engines. I mean, using the Frostbite engines has its perks and would have been cool, but that wont automatically lead to a better game.
Just look at Mass Effect Andromeda.

I don't get what's wrong with you guys who whine a lot.

Can someone explain?

I know I bashed this game at one point but it might actually be worth a purchase. Price and some actual footage will see if I truly cross over the fence.

@Azooooz
I can't speak for everyone but for me its like a hurt if you do, hurt if you don't situation. If people buy into this knowing how it is missing a bit of content like say story mode then it might become the new benchmark for other 3rd parties. If you don't buy to make a statement then they won't support the console anymore at all not fully grasping the reason behind the lack of a purchase.
However, there is a Switch mode to this game that could actually make up for the lack of story mode. Time will tell, so I'm currently sitting on the fence for now.

@Azooooz I think they bashed EA so hard during the Wii U lifecycle that they forgot how to change the record!

Ah, so it's an Android/iOS port.
EA at its 'best'. 😆

Better to have an old engine running in high gear than a new engine in low gear.

@legendwaker I think if the game does well on switch then EA will continue to improve on it and add new features. This will be a test for Nintendo gamers.

@MrGamerClock64 so you would prefer Frostbite version of fifa, game scaled down all features and effects until it ran at 30fps just so you can say "yes the switch version is running frostbite engine"

Yeah that makes real sense. When are people gonna realise that a frostbite game running on switch is not gonna be the same as PS4/Xbox one. The games will need to be downscaled!

@kobashi100 OMG a thousand times this! Scale up and optimise not scale down and make do!

@TJM branding it over and over as a portable game for a portable system is deliberate marginalization of Nintendo as a Maher if handhelds, not consoles. The implied vision is that this is the newest Game Boy, not a console. For a console not much below X1 in spec and well above PS3.

Make no mistake, that is not coincidental wording from EA, it's very much intentional.

@westman98 it's not that the engine used matters to us, so much as it being an indication that, since they vowed a policy that all their games use Frostbyte, that they didn't bother supporting switch with frostbite, it means they intend to bring none of their other games to Switch. The partnership begins and ends with a bespoke fifa alternate version.

@WiltonRoots yeah, Battlefield: galaxy far far away edition looks as vapid as ever. Just Counterstrike with droids in endless repetition. Cool concept.....10 years ago, but it hasn't really evolved. It's just bigger. I don't get the hype for it. NFS was the best real game they had. Turning a racer into an action game complete with boss battles is innovative.

FIFA, let's not kid ourselves. It might be a semi success among switch owners, but when they're deliberately presenting it as the lesser alternate version of the "real" game without even a mention of the awesome switch version features during the 30+ minutes of fifa coverage, they very much aren't intending it to be "huge" and don't appear interested in making it so.

If there's some big EA cross promo in Spotlight ill cede you were right

@kobashi100
If it's well optimized, it can run good. Again, it's all up to the developer. EA is lazy.

@MrGamerClock64
Said it's 1080p and 60fps with physically based rendering... so it sounds like the team who worked on this took pride in their work.

@JaxonH

If it's not frostbite then to some people EA are being lazy. It's ridiculous.

The team created a new engine and have got the game running @1080p with 60fps on switch.

There is no lazyness here at all. Developers have put in a real effort.

@kobashi100

Sometimes I think people care more about egos, saying "see my version is same as yours" more than they care about the game itself (that's not directed at the person I was speaking to, just a general observation). I mean, had the game been in the other engine, and ran 30fps, people would have pirchforks out claiming it's inferior. Surely people don't think they can put the same game in the same engine on Switch and expect it to run at the same frame rate and matched resolution...

I get the dislike of EA... I do. But let's judge a game fairly on its own merits here. And right now, I see a version of the game with flawless performance and peak resolution, the first ever handheld version of its kind offering a real console experience anywhere, with full local wireless and local MP support with all controller setups, a new mode for Switch, all while offering a competent experience on console (certainly trumps last gen versions, without question).

Seems far more valuable to me than a story mode in a sports game (does the entertainment not lie within the sport itself?). I mean, it does have single player season campaigns so, is a story really necessary? I'm sure it's a nice extra mode and all, no doubt, and it would be great to have... but it definitely doesn't hold water next to the advantages offered via Switch, which cannot be overstated. And explains why FIFA fans who traditionally buy the game every year on other consoles are now excited for the Switch version.

EA nonsense in a nutshell

Dev source:

"It's actually very close to FIFA 16 on the PS4/XB1. Players are full PBR, 3d crowd, 3d grass, HDR rendering, etc."

"And it's crazy to think that's possible when you consider the size of that thing compared to those consoles.

1080p, 60fps gameplay docked. 720p, 60fps gameplay in handheld. Cutscenes are still 30fps, like all the other platforms."

@shani
Is this sarcasm or stupidity??

@westman98 Neither of those.
It was already confirmed that FIFA on the Switch won't use the Frostbite engine.
And since EA now admitted that this will only be the "most technologically-advanced portable" version of FIFA, it's safe to say that it's a port of their portable FIFA versions (from Android and iOS) with slight improvements.

I don't see what's sarcastic or stupid about stating the obvious.
But using more punctuation marks than necessary - a second question mark adds nothing to an already existing question mark - now that could be interpreted as stupidity by some people.

@shani
FIFA 18 on the Switch is pretty much a pre-Frostbite version of FIFA on the Switch, with some AI and physics improvements seen in the Frostbite versions. It is FAR superior to the mobile iterations of FIFA. Not even in the same league

Did you even read the press release, because "No Frostbite" does not automatically mean "Port of mobile game"? (One question mark, just for you)

@NEStalgia
See, that's a reasonable concern. I think EA is using the sales of FIFA 18 on Switch to gauge whether porting Frostbite to the Switch is a worthy investment. We will just have to see. Even if they don't port Frostbite onto the Switch, we could end up seeing more "custom" versions of other EA Sports games onto the Switch if EA feels like that is the path they want to take, should they decide to develop more games onto the Switch without porting over Frostbite. But again, who knows?? Maybe FIFA will indeed be the only game EA brings over to the Switch every year, which would be a shame.

I just think the "No Frostbite" = "Automatically a terrible game" or "This must be a port of the mobile FIFA games" conclusions that are being drawn is ridiculous.

@westman98 Even if you're right, it's still embarassing that they would only port some kind of lame Xbox 360/PS3 version with small improvements instead of making a proper new version for the Switch (although that's typical for EA).

But how can you even be sure about that? We're talking about EA after all. It wouldn't surprise me at all if it was in fact based on the smartphone versions. Why else would they call it a 'portable version'?

Besides, the press release didn't offer any details or facts about this. As long as the game is not released and there are no reliable facts, I would always expect the worst from EA.

@shani
Read the full press release, not the blurb on the EA Sports website.

FIFA 18 on Switch is very much a custom version. It doesn't run on the Ignite Engine that the PS3/360 ran on, and has physics based rendering and AI effects from the recent PS4/XBO versions. Pretty much every mode outside of the Journey mode is present in the Switch version, which is not the case for the 360/PS3 versions.

Trust me, I was fully expecting a lazy port of the terrible Xbox 360 "Legacy Edition" version of FIFA 18, and I was pleasantly surprised when it wasn't.

@shani so you basically ignored eurogamers impressions of FIFA on switch. Why not listen to people who have actually played it. All this talk of the game being based on mobile is ridiculous. And the reason EA mention portable is because you can describe the switch as portable console.

Expecting EA to build a complete new engine for the switch is unrealistic. That costs money and resource.

Oh and I am guessing you will be calling 2K games lazy if NBA 2K18 is a port of the 360 version.

Or is it just a personal vendetta against EA

@westman98 Yeah that (a lazy port of the terrible Xbox 360 "Legacy Edition" version of FIFA 18,) is what I was expecting as well, so at least it's better than that, I give you that.
But it still doesn't sit well with me that EA is delivering a halfhearted effort. Konami has been doing the same thing in recent years, and I stopped playing football games alltogether because - despite the fact that there are still good things in their games - both competitors repeatedly show this disgusting behaviour when it comes to platforms they don't deem profitable enough (like they sometimes did with the PC, although it's the biggest and most popular gaming platform).
But I was actually thinking about getting FIFA 18 for the Switch, not least because I wouldn't have to install Origin. But if the Switch version is so heavily inferior to the PC version as the Eurogamer impressions and interview suggest, I should probably think about getting the PC version anyway or - most probably - just not buy it at all.

@kobashi100 If 2K games did it, it would be the same thing.
Only EA are widely known for this kind of lazy behaviour, 2K games are not (yet?). So I expect EA to screw it up, 2K games haven't earned that kind of pedigree yet.

You said it yourself: 'That costs money and resource.' That's exactly the point, EA only care about squeezing out as much profit as possible, they don't care about making good or even inspired games - at least as long as they still sell because of the brand (in this case: FIFA) and/or non-existing competition.

I wouldn't call it a personal vendetta (rather just: enormously low expectations), after all, whenever they provide the exception to the rule and do produce something good, I can recognize that too and be pleasantly surprised by it.

But to respond to your first point: I didn't even know FIFA 18 Switch was already playable or played by anyone outside of EA. So I went ahead and read that article on Eurogamer. But Eurogamer's impressions only confirm my greatest concerns.
It already starts with the title of the article where it says:

"But I wouldn't want to play it on my living room telly."

And it continues in the second paragraph: "it certainly feels like FIFA. But there's no avoiding the big issue here: it doesn't look anywhere near as good as the other versions"

Then he goes on to describe his impressions regarding the controls:

"my colleague Chris Bratt and I played with the Joy-con detached. This is a particularly fiddly experience made just about bearable by slotting on the Joy-con extenders to make pressing shoulder buttons easier. When you play FIFA in this way, the game triggers a four-button control scheme and displays helpful input commands that pop up above the selected players. I didn't enjoy using the Joy-con detached"

These impressions really have me worried more than before, especially since everything positive in that article solely relates to playing a few FIFA matches on the go and to playing FIFA on the Switch as a portable, which I'm not really planning to do. I would've bought it to play it at home.
Then comes the interview part, where Wesley Yin-Poole luckily asks some uncomfortable questions. But the producer Andrei Lazaresco just answers with an almost trump-like, self-contradicting non-answer

"FIFA 18 on PS4, Xbox One and PC draws a new animation every frame, whereas FIFA 17 draws a new animation with every player step. Does the Switch version have this improvement?

Andrei Lazaresco: No. We used the fundamental base of FIFA code and innovated it. These are normal animations, so we're not using that new system."

Well which is it? He says they're not using the FIFA 18 improvements, they're not using the new system, they're using 'normal' (=old) animations, but the claim they innovated it?

So Yin-Poole - who actually does a great job - digs deeper, but in the end Lanzaresco just dodges his questions with some nonsensical marketing lingo that doesn't answer anything:

"So, it'll be more like last year?

Andrei Lazaresco: Yeah, if you want to make a comparison. But everything you see is custom-built, so I wouldn't compare it to anything else, because there is no reference point."

Honestly, I don't believe that marketing nonsense. Yeah sure, if they modify a tiny little thing about the engine, they can call it custom-built, but it's not what the word is actually suggesting (they built a completely new engine from scratch just for this device) or how it is perceived by the reader. Unless they actually created a new version from scratch (which you called unrealistic yourself), that's borderline lying.

But yeah, I guess I was at least partly wrong. But sadly, the new things I've learned about it aren't really helping. In fact, now I'm almost sure I won't buy FIFA 18 for the Switch, whereas before I was at least considering it.

BTW, does anyone remember this? ^^ https://youtu.be/8x57J97pu2o
Back then I already knew by his impassionte presentation that Söderlund was talking nonsense, but it's really a far cry from what EA promised back then to what the most recent information/impressions suggest.

We are reaching a point where people are complaining for things that they honestly don't care.
If EA released a note saying "YES, it is frostbite!" for the current game, many people would say it's fine. "Oh, it's not drawing a new animation every frame, what a lazy port!!!"... Damn... "What, no Alex Hunter mode? I'm passing this".
The sad thing about this, is everyone ignoring the reality:
Scenario 1: Your only console is Switch, and you like Fifa. This game is good for you, you'll buy it.
Scenario 2: You have a Switch and Xbox One or PS4: You'll choose between a FIFA you can play anywhere with very reasonable downgrades or if you don't care about it, you'll buy the PS4 version. If you are a maniac you'll buy both.
Scenario 3: You don't have a Switch: You'll just act like a hater, still wishing a Switch for great games you can play anywhere, as a home console or portable.
It is annoying reading so many people worried about the engine used, not if the port (or exclusive version) is good.
BTW: I have a Switch, Xbox One S and PS4 (not the pro version), and probably will only get the Switch version, because I like Fifa only for casual matches.
It seems EA did their best job trying to avoid negative effects for PS4 and XB1 sales.

@uhhhhhhhh Android and IOS are portable so it's safe to presume the Switch version I better than these...

@shani You care too much man. The Switch is around 2x Wii U...That means you definitely CANNOT expect graphics matching an Xbox One.

You may play Switch as a home console but it is primarily a portable/gaming on the go system.

Not big FIFA fan. And this might be naïveté showing about the franchise. But I feel like if this looks good enough and plays great and is marketed well by all parties, it should do alright

@liveswired "You may play Switch as a home console but it is primarily a portable/gaming on the go system."
Funny, I've been saying - or rather, criticising - exactly that since the Switch was revealed, but most people in those discussions insisted it was a home console or at least a hybrid (despite the hardware saying otherwise).
I totally agree with you, the Switch is nothing more than a tablet with HDMI-out (and it's not even twice as powerful as the Wii U, see BotW, MK8 etc). And that's what led us into this whole mess in the first place.

@shani using wii u ports on switch as an example doesnt really help your argument when comparing switch to wii u.

@MattFox It's pretty much what the name says. You follow a footballer from the very beginnings of his career. I can't really be excited about the endless FIFA/PES iterations with not much change, so something like that is exactly what could draw me back into the franchise. I honestly don't understand why they'd leave it out.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE That's what you get with a contractually obligated version of the game. Of course I'm sure EA will complain when sales are less than stellar as well.