THE world is about to go football mad yet again with the forthcoming FIFA World Cup and so is the computer industry.

Here is a review of : 2002 FIFA World Cup -- PS2. Also available on PS1, XBox, GameCube, PC CD-Rom £39.99 -- Out now

THE England manager is embroiled in scandal and half of his players are in plaster, which can only mean one thing -- there is a World Cup on the way, which also means some new footy games to blunt your thumbs with.

The official game of the tournament is 2002 FIFA World Cup. It comes complete with authentic renditions of the stadia and teams involved in this year's finals.

There is a quick start mode that lets you dive straight into the action, but the single-player game is obviously centred on the World Cup mode. Pick a qualified team and it's straight into the tournament's group phase.

Our usual benchmark test for soccer videogames is a contest between the old rivals Germany and England, but this time we thought we'd see how our boys fare in the 2002 tournament's Group Of Death.

Things started predictably with a 0-0 draw against Sweden, leaving us with it all to do against Argentina. Victory was snatched from England's grasp in the dying seconds of the game, making the final match against Nigeria an even tougher prospect.

England romped home, finishing second in the group to face France, whom they spectacularly went on to beat in the next round. However, it all ended in farce with a 2-0 loss to Costa Rica in the quarter-finals.

So, on accurately simulating England's World Cup luck, there is no finer game than this offering from EA. As far as gameplay goes, there isn't much to separate it from FIFA 2002. Up to eight players can get stuck in with the necessary multi-tap adapters and the control system has barely changed.

First-time users will get the basics in minutes, while more accomplished FIFA gamers have plenty to get their teeth into.

The through ball passing system is brilliantly implemented, and players can swerve their shots and passes for added accuracy. You can even juggle the ball with your feet to trick your way past defenders, or just to show off.

It would be an extravagant purchase for anyone who already owns FIFA 2002, but we don't think that's going to stop it from flying off the shelves as the World Cup approaches.

Rating: 86% (RA)