The Ultimate Afro Warriors!

My exhaustive research (looking in my friends' games collections) has uncovered a startling truth; all those soccer sims you find lining bargain bins aren't just being released by confused distributors: people are actually buying them.

If you are one of these people, and as the "world game" gains popularity on our sunny shores it grows more likely that you will be, then please explain the offside rule to me - in exchange for the news that FIFA 09 has just been enriched by the addition of Ultimate Team mode.

Available now via the Playstation Network and Xbox LIVE, the download grants players the ability to recruit the players of their fantasies and craft them into the Ultimate Team. It's not just to satisfy sports fans cravings, though: your dream team can be taken online and pitched head-to-head with other players' creations.

Full customisation of your team's kit, logo and even stadium mean you can finally fulfil your aspirations of creating the world's greatest soccer team and decking them out in lilac uniforms in a heart shaped arena - or even create an avatar of yourself to play alongside your heroes.

Building your team works through a CCG system, where three ranks of cards - bronze, silver and gold - represent everything from contracts, formations, staff and tactics as well as players and managers. Cards can be traded with other players or earned through online or offline play.

Released late last year, FIFA 09 won general approval from critics and soccer fans alike. The Ultimate Team mode download pack is available now as a free 5 match trial, with the full version priced at 800 Microsoft Points with PS3 pricing as yet unconfirmed.