FIFA 10 gets dated and detailed, hitting stores on Oct. 2

When EA Sports’ FIFA 10 was announced, I was worried that the team at EA Canada wouldn’t be able to top this year’s effort. Well, they seem determined to prove me wrong, according to some new gameplay details announced alongside a new batch of screenshots (in the gallery).

Here are some improvements that have been made across all platforms:

• First and foremost, FIFA 10 promises to get rid of a few glitches found in 09: specifically, every once in a while, some players will do this weird backpedaling movement and get kind of “stuck” on the ball. No more of that.

• Some of 09‘s star players — like Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o and Manchester United’s Christiano Ronaldo, among others — have been retooled, knocking them from “Godlike Supermen” to “normal dudes that happen to be good at kicking.” 

• Team defensive A.I. has also been improved across all platforms; maybe I’ll stand a chance against my friends Nate and William next year.

• Lastly, EA Canada has also included a new, “360°” dribbling system — then again, they tout the dribbling every year, so no surprises there.

My favorite addition to FIFA 10, however, isn’t really new at all. Training mode is making a comeback after a painful absence this year. I’ve never, ever scored from a free kick in FIFA 09, but I’ll be able to practice to my heart’s content next year. Even better, set pieces will be fully customizable and tweak-able.

The game will come out for every console you have ever played (including the video poker machine at the bar your mom took you to when you were a toddler) on October 2. Check out an absolutely massive gallery of screenshots from every version — DS, PC, 360/PS3, PS2, PSP, and Wii, respectively — and hit the jump for a press release.

EA SPORTS reveals release date for FIFA 10

FIFA 10 in stores on October 2nd

EA SPORTS is pleased to confirm that FIFA 10 will be available in stores internationally from October 2nd for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, Wii™ home video game system, PC, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and mobile.

To learn more about FIFA 10 visit WWW.EASPORTS.CO.UK/FIFA

Developed in Burnaby, B.C., by EA Canada, FIFA 10 is the most popular franchise globally for EA SPORTS. The game has not yet been rated.