There you are, sitting at the bus stop, waiting for your ride to arrive, when suddenly it hits you: the wait would be so much easier if you had FIFA Soccer 2005, a PlayStation 2, a 13-inch screen, and an exceptionally large power source.  What a dream.

The only current alternative to lugging 100+ pounds of equipment everywhere you go is the Game Boy Advance, a console that has tons of great games, but lacks in the PS2-to-GBA port department.

The lack thereof will never end, but you can end your boredom (and your quest for great soccer wherever, whenever) with FIFA Soccer 2005 for the Game Boy Advance.  It looks prettier, plays better, and controls with more precision than last year's addition. 

Off the top of the new features list is the through ball pass, one-two pass, and goalkeeper charge.  Through ball has been in console soccer games for a while now, so it's about time that the Game Boy Advance version has adopted the pass.  With it you can pass the ball to a teammate who may run onto the ball.  It won't stop play, not even for a second, since the players don't have to kick it forward before they can gain control of it.

One-two pass is another way to change who has control of the ball without interruption.  Hold the B button to play a one-two with a teammate, then direct a pass in his direction.  After doing so you should receive the ball without failure.

FIFA's career mode has been reinforced with five straight seasons of domestic and international matches.  What this really means is that you're getting the same career mode as before, except that this time it's longer and has more opponents.

The tiny visuals of FIFA Soccer 2005 will dazzle most GBA players.   Individual faces can't be seen, nor can player uniforms or other details you've come to expect from console sports games.  I didn't have any problems telling my players apart though.  Their animations are distinct, changing when necessary with the ball and its location.  From afar FIFA 2005 doesn't look too spectacular, but get up close to it and all the hard work the developers put into it begins to reveal itself.  It truly is one of the better-looking sports games for the GBA.

The Challenge mode has become a staple for Electronic Arts, from NASCAR to Madden to virtually other sports game they've made.  Now the Challenge is making its way into FIFA Soccer.

In Comeback, players get the chance to take on several recent (and a few not-so-recent) matches where the team you're playing as is expected to lose.  They're down by at least a couple of points and don't have very much time left.  In reality, the dying team made a comeback and won the game – your goal is to keep it that way.

Rout Challenges aren't much different.  Win the game to keep history consistent with what the record books say.  Lose the game to changes what the books say to something less favorable.

This feature, although fun, rarely influences my decision to buy a game.  I'm not opposed to facing sports legends, it's just not a huge draw for me.  With this game you're not going to get the same kind of experience that you'd get from the console version, which is solely due to the 2D graphics.  Not being able to see player faces takes away from the sense that you're facing someone important.

If this were the Olympics I'd be shouting, "Gooooooooooooal!" 

Whether you like the Challenge mode or not, FIFA Soccer 2005 is the premiere soccer game for the Game Boy Advance.  It's faster and more intelligent than all of its direct competitors.  The new features don't necessarily warrant a purchase for every gamer out there, but they'll entice you to get the new version anyway.  Gamers who must have every update of their favorite sports series will not be disappointed.  FIFA 2005 takes the next step forward in the evolution of the genre, breaking slightly new ground for a portable console that's anything but new.  You'll see better technological and gameplay innovations from EA when the Nintendo DS launches.  Until then, FIFA 2005 is the soccer game to score with.

Gameplay: 8
Lengthy and hard to master, FIFA Soccer 2005 has enough kicking power to knock the teeth right out of your mouth.  The new Challenge mode might not be a draw for me, but EA keeps adding them to their games, so I'm pretty certain that someone is requesting them.  No matter what the Challenge mode means more entertainment value.  It's something to do when you're not battling for victory in the enhanced Career mode.

Graphics: 7.5
Animation is very important to a sport game's success.  Great gameplay can win over the hearts of most gamers in any other genre.  But if you make a sports game and the players don't move realistically, don't count on pleasing anyone.

Of course, EA is the king of great graphics.  Do any of their sports games look bad?  Technologically, FIFA 2005 is not what I'd call "advanced," but it's a definite improvement for the GBA.  Individual player animations mean you'll never have to squint to see who's doing what, or to see who has the ball.

Sound: 7
Mostly repetitive.  GBA sound limitations limit the soundtrack to only a few songs, none of which sound as clear as the sound in Nintendo and Majesco's GBA video cartridges.

Difficulty: Medium
Easy to learn, not-so-easy to master.  FIFA Soccer 2005 is the most polished version yet, requiring more skill and dedication from the player, making it the perfect game to sink your cleats into. 

Concept: 7
Prepared like quality fast food (if there is such a thing anymore), FIFA Soccer 2005 was made just the way you like it, with more of everything and new tastes to satisfy your appetite.

Multiplayer: 7

Overall: 8
Imagine for a minute that I am a lawyer.  FIFA Soccer 2005 is on trial for being an entertaining piece of software.  You're the jury, and it's up to you whether or not this game gets a favorable verdict.  I turn to you and speak.  "The evidence will show that FIFA Soccer 2005 has new features, features that are worthy of your examination.  The evidence will show that FIFA Soccer 2005 is a good and decent, reliable game.  It wouldn't leave you stranded at the bus stop, unlike some other games."

The District Attorney stands up, "Objection!"

The judge sustains his objection.

I continue.  "The evidence will show that at the time of its release, FIFA Soccer 2005 was entertaining gamers.  The evidence will show that this is the best soccer game on the market.  It's even better than last year's addition!"

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, when you go back into that room, ask yourself this question: Do I want what's best for my Game Boy Advance?  Or should I leave this room and settle for whatever game falls into my lap?"