While a lot of sports games, even in the N64 era, feel like iterations of the same game, the FIFA games on N64 are surprisingly distinct. While, FIFA 64 was such a mess that FIFA 98 definitely needed to bring massive improvements, they could have easily have gotten away with updating the 98 roster and releasing the game. I can definitely commend them for not doing that, even if I don’t like the result.

The biggest difference to how the game plays is the tackling. It’s good. Too good, in fact. Almost every tackle in the game is successful, making the game go back and forth constantly. This makes passing all the more important, but the reliance on passing makes it even more obvious that your computer-controlled teammates are terrible at getting into position.

The really fun indoor pitch is also gone now, and the whole aesthetic of the game – even the menus – comes across as more mundane. This feels like a big step back to me, even if it is better from a technical standpoint.

Fine

Although the pitch is still gluey, if you do decide to persist with a more satisfying passing game, it is easier to knock it about than in previous versions of the game, and the pitches themselves seem to have finally been proportioned properly, so there’s more space to move around in.

Tim Weaver, N64 Magazine #26. Review Score: 83%

Remake or remaster?

Earlier and later games were both better.

Official Ways to get the game

There is no official way to get FIFA 99