World Cup (1990)

Game with a very high fun factor, playable for up to four people at a time. World Cup does not attempt to be realistic at all, which is pretty impossible to do with an 8-bit system anyway. There is no referee and no offside, you can make a foul but with some luck your opponent will remain on the grass, red and yellow cards aren’t to be feared. It’s the best soccer game for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Graphics

The ball is a third the size of the players, the measurements of the field aren’t even to close to reality and the players have a figure that makes it impossible for them to have a neck. You’ll probably start laughing right away when you start this game up for the first time.

Sound

The fact that the matches are pretty long and the music is annoying will probably drive you nuts.

Playability

The choice to give you only one player in control in stead of the whole team by a switching button makes this game different. You can give your teammates commands, but you can’t do any more than make them pass or shoot. When you are playing World Cup for the first time you’ll need a minute to get the system under control. But then, after just half an hour you’ll probably have figured out how to score with a diving header or a bicycle kick. Also the game offers you the possibility to change your starting line up and to instruct your team mates. In 1990, that was pretty new.

Instant Fun Factor

The looks and feel of the game, the fact that you can knock out an opponent for minutes without consequences, and the fact that the controls aren’t that hard to learn makes this game a game that can be played Arcade-style.

Long Term Fun Factor

The one player modus takes a very long time to finish without codes. You can’t set any timers. In the first rounds you’ll be likely to score 20 times, so those games can take a pretty long time. In multiplayer mode the game stays fun to play, because you have a lot more influence on the game then with other 8-bit soccer games. Especially the pace of your turning while dribbling makes that you can outskill your opponents. Because of the tactical possibilities the game leaves you room to experiment for a while. Some players have special abilities, this takes away the constant repetition of the game.

Graphics: 18/20

Sound: 10/20

Playability: 16/20

Instant Fun Factor: 20/20

Long Term Fun Factor: 16/20

Total score: 80/100