It's around this time every year we have the same debate. FIFA or PES?As you can imagine, this year we have been at a bit of a loss. With Konami content (make that confident enough) to let FIFA take centre stage on Wii, we were expecting big things from the folks at EA.

In hindsight FIFA 08, whilst EA's first entry into the world of motion control, was a solid enough entry into the world of Wii. The graphics were a definite step up from anything seen on the Gamecube and that 'FIFA' atmosphere was there in spades. Unfortunately, the impression of tacked on controls and a lightweight feature-set meant that FIFA 08 could only get better. For a first outing we gave FIFA 08 an 'ok' 6/10 citing that only the controls needed refining.

So imagine our delight when EA stated that they had completely revamped the control mechanics for FIFA 09. Throwing in all but the kitchen sink, Gamecube and classic controllers are supported alongside the Wii remote and nunchuck combo. Delight spread over our weary little faces as not only did EA seem to be addressing our main gripe with 08, but we could also rekindle our love for our GC controllers and play FIFA the way we had been playing it for the last few years. And so when we launched into FIFA 09 we immediately cast away our Wii remotes and gathered around the TV with our Wavebirds twitching at the ready.

EA's infatuation with Miis shows no signs of letting up!

EA love their menus and FIFA 09 is chock full of them. We lost count of how many buttons we had to press just to get into a game and we actually came unstuck when using our preened Wavebird controller. In a somewhat "insane" move, EA haven't mapped any menu commands to the GC controller buttons so we spent a good few minutes trying to figure out what '1' was on our controllers. We're not experts but surely that's just lazy design?

When we finally got into the pre-match loading screen we awaited that traditional opening scene in which we would gasp in awe as our favourite players exited the tunnel into the blazing sunshine into which the fans would be chanting whilst the commentators talked nonsense about "looking forward to this one since..." yet there was nothing. Nothing but a cheesy "VS" moniker. We were gobsmacked. Utterly shocked that EA had skimped out on what was a crucial part of our pre-match excitement. And within that single moment, the atmosphere started to reek of a Saturday Conference clash. In the Scottish Highlands. In the rain.

Wiping the tears from our eyes, we then kicked off and from the first pass we knew something wasn't right. Not only was the game a lot uglier than 08, it looked as if each player was a mess of jaggy edges. (We later found out that the game looks better WITHOUT component cables!) Furthermore, on close-ups we got none of the lush grass seen in FIFA 08 and we saw none of the intricate depth of field effects in 08. We just got depth of field all over the place. Checking the screen for Vaseline was fruitless.

We didn't hang around. We left the match after one half and decided to head for the training mode. On the way we passed the "footi party" (which looked the same as last year bar the 8vs8 mode) and the "new" manager mode. When training we tried all controller configurations in an effort to find the perfect control mechanic. We tried All-Play mode (or single hand Wii remote mode) and it was actually enjoyable for newcomers (and actually tried and tested on a family member aged 70) and (thankfully) the aforementioned GC controller worked well for long time FIFA players.

The much loved PES 08 pointer mode was the one we were looking forward to the most and we expected it to work exactly like Konami's excellent system. Unfortunately it only acts as a directional tool for the player on the ball. There's no dragging of other players here. Plainly it's an attempt by EA to jump on the PES wagon yet by making it safe and welcoming it does a Drogba and falls flat on its backside.

On a whole, when it comes to the controls we wish EA had some balls about them as FIFA 09 actually enhances the mode set seen in FIFA 08. It just seems almost pointless with such a vast amount of broken control mechanics and lack of visual/atmospheric care behind everything.

There's a reason we've seen only this camera mode!

On a plus point, the manager mode returns and it's damn good. You can simulate matches, jump into them and play, transfer and generally become a bit of a Harry Redknapp type dealer (although we never had a supply of brown envelopes for agents). Alongside the flawless online mode it's probably where the most depth lies. Wii owners get no Be a Pro mode this year (which is a massive loss) and innovations such as Adidas Live Season are not to be found on Wii. Shocking.

And so FIFA 09 comes off for an early shower. The crisp, respectable graphics seen in FIFA 08 are replaced by a blur fest with very poor player models (some players even having greyish blue skin!) And in that light the good foundations that FIFA 08 laid have been wasted here and actually a massive step back has been achieved. In Footballing terms, FIFA 09 is the equivalent to Reading.

In looking to cater for all players, FIFA 09 has become a mish-mash of a title. Configurable controllers, an online mode and a deep manager mode indicate a path that traditional FIFA players would enjoy yet the simple, cheap design seen on the pitch alongside the recycled and 'shallow' Footi Party mode means that FIFA 09 isn't worth anyone's time.