yeah its fab. the defenders close you down a lot quicker than fifa 10 and you can actually cross the ball better than before. it just looks and plays very well.
you can be in pro mode but actually play as goalie. set a league up between you and your friends.. lots more online options
big cheat here is that once you got the game and want to go online, you have a redeem code that alows you to play online but you cant play with friends on another machine anywhere else
and it takes out the whole of the 2nd hand market too if people take the RETAIL version in to, say, Blockbusters or Game, for exchange etc, as if you buy it 2nd hand, chances are that the previous original owner has already redeemed the voucher in the cover and you cant it play online. i think the rental versions dont allow online gaming anyway. bummer eh?
You can go to EA sports homepage, as you say and redeem it again....dont know the cost though. More money for EA sports ;0(
What you suggest is possible if you lose the ability to use your console i think