The first FIFa game on the Nintendo 64

Original N64europe review

Not only does Fifa 64 feature virtually every half-decent international team, it also packs in hundreds of clubs around the world. These includes your favorite premiership sides (and more), all with accurate, up-to-date line-ups and player statistics.

The graphics in Fifa 64 appall considering the machine's awesome capabilities. The motion players look okay in close-up, but jerk very noticeably from one set animation to the next, making their actions look very stilted. You've got various views to choose of which do come handy for action replays of goals, but most of the latter will look very similar. The standard scoring technique is a powerful shot from inside the areas. As long as you get it on target, it'll usually beat a keeper without the need for any swerve. Creative play isn't helped by a control system with semi-automatic on the lower skill settings, leading to frustringly imprecise passing. Even on the Pro setting there's little scope, or need, for interesting build-ups. It's far trickier to pass it around to create an opening, or cross into the box for a header, than simply go on a long solo run past the unintelligent CPU defenders.

Conclusion: graphics= not good for the N64, audio= good, gameplay= could be much better, lasting challenge= a few weeks.

So have a good short time of fun on your N64 with this game!

- by Tim Symons