Pocket Gamer World Cup - The Results

The World Cup has not yet kicked off, but already one month-long festival of football has come to an end.

Back in April we asked footie fans and gaming folk to vote for the best pocket soccer sim, and vote you did in your hundreds.

It was a close run thing in the early stages, with the table alternating on a daily basis. But as the competition progressed quality told and one clear leader emerged.

That leader, and the winner of the inaugural Pocket Gamer World Cup with a massive 24 per cent of the vote, is Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 5 on Sony PSP. Congratulations Konami!

In a closely fought battle for second place, Gameloft's Real Football 2006 edged out Real Arcade's Playman World Soccer by just 1 per cent.

Meanwhile, the best-selling FIFA series from Electronic Arts didn't even trouble the medals, despite sharing over a third of the votes across four formats. The official World Cup games have arrived since the poll started, but neither DS nor Mobile versions merited a place, whilst the rather better PSP outing arrived too late too feature (a bit like Wayne Rooney?).

Instead it was left to the oldest version of the series on show, the N-Gage FIFA 2005 to lead the way in fourth with 13 per cent of votes.

However at least EA were spared the wooden spoon, as last (and by all means least) was Flitzer, the novelty entrant from Handy Games, whose focus on streaking rather than soccer clearly couldn't raise as much as a smile from the fans, securing just a handful of votes in total and not even registering a single percentage point when rounded up.

1. Pro Evolution Soccer 5 (PSP) Whilst the home version is often hailed as the true connoisseur's favourite, it's fair to say the PSP game has plenty of rough edges. Indeed, it could be too tough for many. Still, long loading screens will give you a chance to glance up at the real match. It's a bit like: Italy (Capable of great things, but stress on defence and tactics might make heavy weather for some) Read the review
2. Real Football 2006 (Mobile) With its detailed simulation, fancy moves and beautiful football, this won our reviewer's heart, but could its demanding control set-up be too much to manage when you're also balancing a pint and a bratwurst? It's a bit like: France (Has the talent to win and plenty of skill, but can be frustrating) Read the review
3. Playman World Soccer (Mobile) Contrary to his appearance, the dimunitive Playman is not based on a motion capture of Paul Scholes. But his single-thumb outing offers the most accessible football action out there, leaving you one hand free to wave a rattle. The easiest football game to pick up, but one that might frustrate the purists. It's a bit like: Korea (Underdogs that suddenly come good) Read the review
4. FIFA 2005 (N-Gage) Despite lacking the latest big signings, fancy graphics and flashy moves, the ageing N-Gage representative nevertheless offers surprisingly slick football action, although it could feel a bit like wearing last year's shirt. It's a bit like: Serbia & Montenegro (Lacking big names, but could be a dark horse) Read the review
5. FIFA 2006 (DS) The best footie game on DS by virtue of being just about the only one, FIFA 2006 offers some nice touches, like the touchscreen doubling as a radar, but it's not exactly playing a blinder. You could always Picto Chant though. It's a bit like: Trinidad & Tobago (Enthusiastic and an unknown quantity, it's more of a token gesture than a force to be reckoned with) Read the review
6. FIFA Football 2006 (PSP) The bookies' favourite, this big name is loved by the mainstream, although hardcore fans might say it's loved by those who don't know much about football! It's certainly improving with each outing. It's a bit like: England (They have the big names and are capable of winning, but may be lacking in that little extra required) Read the review
7. FIFA Street 2 (PSP) Less football sim, more a chance to create a Nike Ad, FIFA Street 2 rips out all the tactics, strategy and the midfield in general, for an end-to-end kickabout that's all about showing off. It's a bit like: USA (Hey, why don't we get rid of some players and make the goal bigger?) Read the review
8. Sensible Soccer (Mobile)One from the archives this. Although it's not quite 'jumpers for goalposts', Sensible Soccer is very much a case of 'small boys on the park', as you manouevre diddy men around the pitch. The controls are simple and the action fast, but possibly a little too furious for some. It's a bit like: Holland (Lots of goals, but your team never feels completely in control) Read the review
9. World Tour Soccer (PSP) Sony's first stab at pocket soccer proved surprisingly successful, offering a fast-paced game that encourages passing play and possession football. Bit light at the back, mind. It's a bit like: Ivory Coast (Attractive to watch and unsaddled by too many expectations, but a little naïve defensively) Read the review
10. Flitzer (Mobile) There are few things more entertaining in a match than a streaker, unless of course the naughty nudist is a pasty, flabby, middle-aged man. Shouldn't really be in the final count, but qualifies as it was developed by the host nation. It's a bit like: Germany (Unfancied by most before the tournament, the Germans always 'show' when it counts) Read the review

So what do you think? Did you back the winner? Are you over the moon or sick as a parrot? Do you think the late arriving 2006 FIFA World Cup on PSP could have made a difference? Or did we miss out some other obvious sitters? Have your say by pressing comment below or email us.