The fourth different football series for Japan, this one has a much more cartoony/anime style, and I think it suits he N64 quite well. It’s much better than Dynamite Soccer but at the same time, because it’s simply a decent game, there’s really not a huge amount to say about it.

Eleven Beat keeps things nice and simple, but also functions quite well. The CPUs mistakes in this game felt more natural than other football games and you have a few different kinds of passes and shots. When defending, you do control two different players, but at least you have a cursor to show which ones.

The modes are just a few basic ones, along with a practice that’s just got your team on the pitch. There’s also a “Red Vs Blue” mode where each team can pick the players they want from all the teams, or let a lucky dip decide.

Eleven Beat is a simple but fun football game, but not much more than that.

Fine

At least Dynamite Soccer had a speed-up button. Elven Beat doesn’t and, as a result, feels about as exhilarating as a George Graham slide.

Tim Weaver, N64 Mgazine #10. Review Score: 52%

Remake or remaster?

I do think a fun anime-inspired twist on Football could be fun to see today, especially as games can fully pull off the anime style now.

Official ways to get the game.

There is no official way to get J.League Eleven Beat 1997