Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd once commented in a unguarded moment on the stupidity of his club's fans.

2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa

Publisher: Electronic Arts

These fools, he said, religiously bought the team's high-priced replica kit, not realising that it cost the Asian manufacturers almost nothing to make. The fans' blind loyalty kept them shelling out every season no matter how the shirt was made or whether it was any different from the previous one.

There's been some discussion in the gaming world about whether Electronic Arts have something of a Shepherd mindset about this game. Several gamers have argued that it should have been a downloadable add-on to Fifa 10, this year's edition of the successful football game.

In EA's defence, a download would not have been a practical solution as the game is too big. But, besides the fact that the campaigns are set at the World Cup rather than during a season, there's not much difference.

One of the changes is the "Dad Pad" option mode that simplifies the controls for the older, more digitally challenged gamer who sees the future every time he or she gets royally whipped by offspring.

My review copy was for the Wii, not a bad idea for our winter. Shaking the controller to execute certain moves can warm you up, though my lack of expertise got me hot enough under the collar anyway.

THE GOOD

The graphics are brilliant and the players' likenesses incredibly lifelike. Crowd noise includes vuvuzelas. "Dad Pad" is a boon and there are extras that allow you to change history, as it were. For example, you can play as Ireland after the Thierry Henry handball in qualifying and make sure the French don't make it to South Africa.

THE BAD

Not much changed from Fifa 10.If you have that game, use the money to buy a ticket and go see the real thing.

RATING: 6.5

DAMAGE: R350 to R600 depending on platform