Football Manager Handheld

Perhaps my favourite part of Football Manager 2006 is the adaptation of the match engine into today’s defence-minded tactics. Teams are now more likely to play 4-5-1 and will often change tactics throughout the game, keeping you on your toes. It’s amazing once again at how you can swing a game with some simple changes, like setting a forward to run on the ball more in an attempt to coax a defender on a booking to challenge him and get sent off.

The second edition in the legendary sports-sim developer’s new soccer management series is every bit as addictive as it predecessor, which is to say that the damn thing should be investigated by the FDA. [Mar 2006, p.52]

The interaction between manager and players, media, and other managers just adds to the enjoyment and longevity of this title.

For a mere 30 quid, I have hundreds of hours of fun lying ahead and I can honestly say that having played computer games for nigh on 16 years, Football Manager 2006 is quite honestly the best I've ever played.

Despite the fact that people may find a level of fun has been lost under the layers of improvements and options, the majority will still find that nothing comes close to quenching that thirst for power that Football Manager so eloquently provides.

It can run a little slow and it's not without its niggles, but Football Manager 2006 is still the best for football and definitely this season's best footie sim. [PC Gamer UK]

The atmosphere, the realism, the tactical choices, the beautiful goals your players scores, etc. All this aids in making the game as good as it can be.