NES
The Vault

Nintendo
Nintendo World Cup

Graphics:
Sound:
Gameplay:
Overall:		 8.95
8.97
8.97
8.92
Votes: 60
Reviews: 2


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Reviewer: Seth Koopa Date: Aug 8, 2005
Let me make it clear straight away that I am not into football (soccer to you Americans) at all, and never was. When I was growing up, all the boys in my class were obsessed with football, and just couldn't get their heads around that I just wasn't interested in it, too.

So I've never been into real-life football, but when I was growing up this was a game that I really was into, and my mates were always keen to play it when they came over. I can practically smell the nostalgia. So I thought to myself; why not write a review on this influential game from my childhood?

Graphics: 6
Most of this score goes into the 'cards' presenting each country, displayed before each match. Aside from that, the graphics really aren't spectacular, but they don't have to be, either - all you see is the field and the players. They do their job. In multi-player mode, on the other hand, the fields you can choose are very charming.

And those players... these guys are all really unique, and you stick with your guys throughout the game. The ones you encounter are all different from country to country (with exceptions, such as the USA and Argentina players), but it's your guys that demand your undivided attention. They are all easily recognisable, and you begin, whether you want to or not, to grow fond for at least one of them. (Incidentally, that guy with the grassy hair earned the name 'The grassass' (as in 'donkey') with a mate of mine.)

Sound: 10
Apart from the tune in the first three matches, which is only fun for the first minute or so (and then becomes so tiring you can't wait until you reach the fourth match), the music in this game is really motivating and inspiring. And that's because it's so captivating. The music in the middle of the game has a kind of melancholic attribute to it, in an oddly stimulating way, while the final two tunes send your blood pumping as much as the tension for the matches does. Great.

Gameplay: 10
Most of the little I know about football comes from this game. Boy did I have fun with it as a kid. Even my football-loving mates loved it, so I think I can safely say that it captures football quite well. I'm proof that you don't have to be into football to enjoy this game to death; it's just so fun and compelling that you keep coming back for more. There are many many matches and they get tougher with each match, so you won't complete this game in a day unless you're really, really persisting. The final matches are only for the absolute masters to tackle.

There are many countries you can choose from to play as, from USA to Cameron to Holland to Argentina. USA is a kind of Joker card as far as teams go; when you play the game, when you reach the match where your country is usually the opposing team, there you usually find USA. With exceptions, depending on which team you choose; if you play as Italy, West Germany or Argentina, this rule is bent so that the toughest teams are to be faced in the final matches of the game. Still, USA is a kind of Joker card in the mass of teams you can choose; if you pick the USA team, each player has their own unique super-kick (of which I will talk about later in this paragraph).

Anyone who knows anything about football knows that the game revolves around you going long and trying to get the ball in the net. Nearly everything you can do in football can be done here, and more. Before each match, you are faced with a screen where you choose your players (if you have favourites you must memorize their numbers to avoid frustration). Your players all have their strengths and weaknesses; one player is an excellent goalie, another is a great outfielder, and yet another is great in defence, so it is very important to make your choices well. See how a player does in his position in a few matches and then consider whether you still want him in that position, or indeed on the field. There are eight players to choose from, but only six can make it onto the field.

 

Reviewer: Rivaldo Date: Aug 17, 2002
God, thanx for letting Nintendo make one of the coolest, original, and most fun soccer game of all (if not the best, ´coz I don´t wanna forget the great old times with the GOALs and that game simply named SOCCER. Does anyone know what company made it?)
Anyway, what you have in front is really an artwork, believe me, it´s better that simply shot to the goal. This game really scores a goal, with that ""net breaking"" stuff and the Universal cup on its hand.

Graphics: 9
OK, maybe I´m overwhelming, but when a game rules, any graphics are good to me. Really, this game has dazzling graphics. Real big characters (a thing to be amazed of, when we talk of NES), and the different fields are simply bright and cheerful. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Sound: 7
Well, the no good part of this game it´s the annoying sound. ´Coz hey, the same song during 2 or 3 matches, to change then for a song even worse, that´s not right. Anyway, the music doesn´t make the whole game, so, if you can *MUTE* your TV or turn off your computer speakers, to put some nice music (like Pantera or Slayer), it will be right.

Gameplay: 10
Now here´s the important part of the game. I don´t know if you´ve seen the anime *Captain Tsubasa*, but if you´ve already seen it, you will have the time of your life!!. Seriously, the main part of the game is the one that you´ll love. With some bycicle shots and headers, you like ""power up"" the ball, so, my philosopy is: the shoot depends on how that high is your character. Making a power up shot is really an experience you can´t (and you won´t) forget.

Overall: 9
I give it a 9. It´s an incredibly good game, the music was the only detail that prevents the game for being at the top of mt. Olympus, but, still with his desperating anti-silence music, ít´s a game that will really leave you with an open mouth. Try it, you´ll have the time of your life.

By the way, did you notice that strange looking characters?. If you´re a fan of them, you can also found them on *Crash N´Boys:Street challenge* and *Crash N´Boys: Ice challenge*. They really rules!!!!!