Retro Games Reviewer #17, Nintendo World Cup Review
Believe it or not, I only got this game last year. I bought an used NES cartridge that contains 3 games, and World Cup was one of them. I did know the game, by distance, of course, since the beggining of the NES age. Also, I borrowed it from a friend, when we were 13 or 14 years, so, I was already familiar with the game.
Well, this is supposed to be the 1990's World Cup (Footbal, or Soccer, for the Americans), turned into a NES game. Or vice-versa, to be more accurate. Unlike what might be expected, they did not try to turn it into a simulator of the real game, of real football, which would be a mistake, given the tecnhical limitations of the NES, but rather make it a fun game. And I think they succeeded. You can play up with three more friends - meaning, 4 players at the same time - and, even alone, depending on how much you like soccer, it can also be fun. You can pre-ordain small aspects, regarding tactics, like, for example, do you want your team to shoot a lot to the goal, or not so much, or not at all; or how your players should react when they don't have the ball, should they tackle, or not, etc.
You are both the coach and one of the players. You only control 100 % one player, which is you. But, through the A or B button, you can order your fellow team mates to either pass you the ball, or shoot to the goal, or tackle, for example. The gameplay is quite decent, and it's one of the best pre-16 bits soccer games you will play. The rythm of the game is the right one, and it can become quite competitive, too. Depending also, of course, on the teams. If you choose a stronger team, and you're playing against a weaker one, things will get easier. There are only 6 players for each team, which actually prevents the game for becoming too boring. The field looks good, the sprites are big, and everything is nice and clear. The players, the characters, look different from each other, both within the same team, and if compared with other teams. You can identify the different ethnic traces, for example, which makes the game more credible. - Remember, we are talking about a World Cup. In the end, they look a lot like anime characters. Which makes sense, because, originally, Nintendo World Cup was actually a "different" game, Nekketsu High School Dodgeball Club: Soccer. This one involving a High School Soccer competition. In Japan, obviously.
The players can become tired, and if so, they will just drop on the floor, like they were dead. There are no fouls, or off-sides! There's also some humorous events, like the typical anime pain-expression that a player presents, when, for example, he takes the ball on his face! It's football, the ball is round, it can become fast and furious, and these things do happen! Goal keepers are quite decent, too, and to score a goal against the more difficult teams, is quite a moment of joy.
The sound quality is also ok, and it does its part.
So, anyway, if you have the chance to try this one - in case you haven't already - and you're a big soccer fan, you should definitely do it. Specially with good friends, and a six pack ;-)
Game Boy version also available!
Retro Games Reviewer, Nintendo World Cup Review, 25/09/2014
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