The main problem with the World Cup in Japan and Korea next month is not one of broken bones but one of timing.

With most matches finishing in the morning, what do keen footie fans do for the rest of the day?

EA Sports obligingly offers the chance to replay those key games over and over again on the PC or PlayStation in Fifa World Cup 2002.

This is the David Beckham of football games, which plays brilliantly and looks good doing it.

The players, referees and even the official mascots look frighteningly like their real-life counterparts.

They might even behave a little like them too: One of the first gestures of the virtual Rio Ferdinand was to put the virtual Diego Simeone out of the tournament. (Honest mistake, ref!)

A real asset is the star play system which endows certain players, such as the virtual Owen, Gerrard, and Scholes, with greater powers than mere mortal footballers with better shooting, passing and dribbling.

There are a host of tricks at your disposal from various combinations of keys.

The main innovation is the new air play system, which allows you to control lobs and passes, execute nifty moves and humiliate your opponent with arrogant juggling and keepie-uppies.

The difficulty levels mean the game remains a challenge for longer.

Having put seven past Italy in the final on the easy setting, I shipped four at the back against Nigeria on professional and sacked myself.

One of the best aspects is the in-game commentary provided by EArts favourite team of John Motson and Andy Gray.

Motty chips in with such comments as "in medieval times that goalkeeper would be put in the stocks and pelted with rotten fruit", while Gray comes up with some statistics and items culled from the tour guide, although his pronunciation of the Ishite Temple put Emile Heskey off his stride.

EA has more than 70 official licences to give it an air of authenticity, including Adidas.

If there is a shortfalling of Fifa World Cup 2002, it is that the gameplay is restricted by the structure of the tournament.

Englands grouping means you play some tough games but you are unlikely to play against Germany, for example, outside of a friendly.

Price: £29.99.

Contact: www.ea.com
Feel good factor: 8 out of 10.