A short FIFA 17 gameplay clip has unexpectedly gone viral, and not because of a remaster or official re-release. The video, shared on social media as a joke and briefly framed as “leaked FC 27 gameplay,” quickly caught fire once viewers realized it was actually footage from FIFA 17. What surprised people wasn’t the fake leak, but how good the game looked and felt compared to EA FC 26.
The clip in question is:
— Diego Oparazim (@oparazim) January 11, 2026
VAZOU GAMEPLAY DO FC27
Dribles fluidos, passes mais precisos/rapidos, textura do jogo aprimorada, fluidez aprimorada. Esse novo hypermotion 3.0 ultra vai ser surreal né?
Calma, é só uma brincadeira.
Essa é só uma gameplay do FIFA17. E por incrível que pareça, é mil vezes… pic.twitter.com/4wowzOt9yb
Operation Sports App
Your ultimate companion for sports gaming. Access in-depth coverage, thoughtful discussion, and a community built around the games—and sports—you love.
Your ultimate sports gaming companion.
But what’s surprising is how good the gameplay looked. It was more fluid. The clip showed smooth, passive, responsive dribbling and a natural flow to movement that many fans feel is missing in the EA FC 26. If the clip is managing to fool people, it is proof that there is something wrong with the recent games. Even after the post clarified it was just FIFA 17 footage, the conversation only grew louder.
Why FIFA 17 Looks Different Than EA FC 26
FIFA 17 holds a special place in the franchise’s history. It was the first game to move fully to the Frostbite engine, bringing noticeable visual upgrades while still keeping gameplay relatively simple and responsive.
Players remember it for quick build-up play, satisfying first touches, and a balance between arcade-style fun and realism. It was also the debut of The Journey, which helped broaden the game’s appeal beyond Ultimate Team.
Fast forward to EA FC 26, and the difference feels huge. It’s not necessarily a bad change; EA FC 26 has a lot of things that FIFA 17 didn’t. FIFA 17 had simpler animations and physics, which resulted in a fun and fast gameplay experience.
The modern game leans heavily on HyperMotion technology, complex animations, and physics-driven movement. While this adds realism on paper, it often results in heavier player movement, slower responsiveness, and moments where animations override player input. Common complaints include sluggish dribbling, inconsistent passing, defensive AI doing too much work, and matches feeling scripted rather than organic.
That’s why the FIFA 17 clip struck a nerve. It reminded players of a time when gameplay felt snappier and more under their control. The viral moment isn’t just about nostalgia; it highlights a real debate within the community about whether realism has gone too far at the expense of fun. As EA FC 26 continues to divide its audience, that old FIFA 17 footage serves as a reminder that sometimes, less really was more.
