- Primary Subject: FIFA 2001 & Gran Turismo 2 (PlayStation 1 Editions)
- Key Update: Retro gaming collectors are hunting down rare, turn-of-the-millennium PS1 discs that featured unique scratch-and-sniff label coatings.
- Status: Confirmed (Historical Feature)
- Last Verified: July 13, 2026
- Quick Answer: Only two PS1 games had scratch-and-sniff discs: FIFA 2001 smelled like soccer turf, while Gran Turismo 2 smelled like pit stop rubber and gas.
Picture this: it's the turn of the millennium, and people are innovating - especially when it comes to tech and video games. At the time, it felt like nothing was off-limits.
Graphics were leaping into 3D, and publishers were doing anything and everything to make their games stand out. It was in 1999 and 2000 that two titles decided that sight and sound just weren't enough. They needed people to SMELL their game.
If you owned a PlayStation 1, you might have been there when buying a disc came with instructions to scratch the label and smell it. And no, I'm not joking.
FIFA 2001 and Gran Turismo 2 Had Gamers Smelling Their Discs
In late 2000, EA Sports released FIFA 2001 with a unique feature - "Smell the Pitch." The concept was simple. The disc's top label featured a unique, perfumed coating.
When scratched, the patch would release an aroma mimicking freshly cut soccer turf. The concept was that you would boot up the game, and while you took control of your favorite players, the scent of a crisp soccer stadium would fill your bedroom. However, some gamers claimed the patch didn't smell like grass. Instead, it smelled like fresh turf, chemicals, or even baby lotion.
The crazy part? It wasn't even the first game to do it. The first game was actually Gran Turismo 2, which launched something similar in 1999.
READ MORE: How Many Console Features Would You Give Up For A Lower Price?
Gran Turismo 2 launched with two discs - an "Arcade" disc and a "Simulation" disc. The latter came with a scratch-and-sniff coating similar to what FIFA 2001 had. However, instead of smelling like a soccer field, Sony opted for something more in line with a racing game.
If you scratched Gran Turismo 2's disc patch, you'd be greeted with the chemical tang of rubber, gasoline, and the authentic aroma of a racetrack pit stop. If you're an automotive purist, perhaps you're one of the people who enjoyed smelling burning rubber while driving through the Nissan Skyline.
Both games featured a pamphlet with instructions on how to experience these authentic smells. You needed to rub the disc label gently with either your fingertips or a soft cloth.
Was it unique? Definitely. Did it smell good? Not always. And while I can see where they were going with marketing an extra level of immersion with your game, it's no surprise the gimmick didn't last.
READ MORE: Don’t Let The PS3 Era End Without Owning These 6 Digital Classics
Not only was it divisive and difficult to execute, but the coating would eventually wear off, and the game wouldn't smell like anything. It didn't click with the industry, and studios instead shifted to online play and digital downloads rather than scented media.
However, there are collectors and gamers right now who are dying to get their hands on these pieces of retro gaming history. Both FIFA 2001 and Gran Turismo 2 are highly sought after by collectors. You can sometimes find copies pop up on eBay, and players will bid hundreds (even thousands) to not only get a vintage video game but also to discover if the FIFA 2001 disc actually did smell like a freshly cut soccer pitch.
And while I'm curious too, I think I'm fine imagining the smell of the grass rather than having that scent burning up in my console.
For more like this, stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com, the best website for gaming news, reviews, features, and guides.