[10] Among the improvements in the new FIFA are improved responsiveness that allows for quicker release of the ball, greater urgency in off-the-ball running, a new jostle system that takes into account the strength of the players when going shoulder-to-shoulder, and subtle animations that enable players to take first-time shots.

Another of the edition's biggest changes is a completely revamped collision system, which calculates speed, weight, and power when the players collide, as each player will have their own individual strength and power statistics depending on their body characteristics.

The game also features user-controlled player celebrations, like in UEFA Euro 2008, in the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions.

The PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles also allow the player to change clubs, and play for his national team, depending on their performance.

Live Season is a premium service that will be available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC and covers six leagues: the Barclays Premier League, the Liga BBVA, the Ligue 1, the Bundesliga, the Serie A, and the Primera División de México.

User-controlled goal celebrations are also featured for the first time in the FIFA series, having been trialled in the official video game of Euro 2008.

This feature is on seventh generation consoles only (excludes PC and Wii) due to capacity limits.

On 19 March 2009, FIFA 09 was updated to version 13.02 that added the Ultimate Team mode and also Trophies for the PlayStation 3.

Ultimate Team is a downloadable game mode expansion for FIFA 09 available only on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

"You can also compete with your squad against others across the world[13] Martin Tyler and Andy Gray provide the English-language commentary for the game, although Tyler is replaced by Clive Tyldesley for the PC, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Wii versions.

Also for the first time ever, users can now use GameCube and Classic Controller along with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.

The PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS versions include a "Be a Pro" mode for the first time.

The PlayStation 3 exclusive game mode is a built-in FIFA Interactive World Cup.

There are also stadiums in France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Wales, with the national stadia of each of these countries also included.

[30][29] The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of FIFA 09 each received a "Double Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[34] indicating sales of at least 600,000 copies per version in the United Kingdom.