Konami's first western football game for the N64.

Original N64europe review

To date, sports games have not been a strength of the Nintendo 64. In particular, realistic sports games have not yet emerged on the system with seemingly endless potential. However, all this has changed with a gift from the geniuses at Konami in the form of International Superstar Soccer 64. In fact, this game is so good that the King of action games (and emerging RPG powerhouse), Konami, have not only crafted the soccer game that all future soccer games shall be measured by, but also all future sports games in general. The quality of this product is so deep, that one could be sold on it in many ways, and because of this, I will break it down step by step.

First, the most obvious aspect of ISS64 is it’s phenomenal graphics. To be honest, I have never seen a sports game look this good, or animate this well. Every player moves so fluidly and gracefully that I was beginning to wonder if Konami shrunk down some real people and stuck them in my TV. Unlike FIFA 64, which suffered from a chronic lack of colour, ISS64 suffers with no such problem. The graphics are vibrant and colourful, with each team having a distinguishably different uniform. Also, to enhance the TV like broadcast quality of the game, injured players role around on the ground in pain, and it does not stop there. Some players, after being fouled, get up and shove the player who knocked them to the ground. Further, when a player is booked (and given a red or yellow card) a dramatic scene is played out on the field as the referee calls over the offending player, raises the card, writes down his name, and listens to the player vigorously argue the call. Way too cool!!! Also, the goalie saves look amazing, as do the player substitution, as they warm up on the sideline. All of this combined with a constant, very fast framerate, proves to be one of the most visually exciting games around. Ahh...the amazing looking floodlights, the stunning rain effects, the way the ball splashes on the field when wet, the incredible goal celebration animation....I could go on forever, but words cannot describe the visual joy of ISS64, you must see it to believe it.

The fact is, though, the game isn’t even about it’s tremendous graphics. Many games have looked good and animated well, but simply have fallen down in the area of gameplay. Nothing, and I mean nothing, could be farther from the truth in International Superstar Soccer. For a change, the animation proves to sharpen the gameplay, not slow it down, like many other highly animated sports games tend to do. Also, there are a tremendous amount of moves and plays that can be performed. While this may scare some, worry not - Konami has managed to make pulling them off very easy, yet mastering there strengths and weaknesses are not quite as simple. The game moves a fluid and very fast past, and along with the announcer who never shuts up (who, by the way sound very good) and the very loud crowd noise, provides tremendous excitement. The most important fact that can be overlooked in many sports titles is the realism factor. A game may be fun, but if soccer games were ending up 10-9, things wouldn’t be too much fun for very long. Well, put simply, the game is very realistic. Scores end up relatively real (which means it is normally low scoring) and with a wealth of simulation additions, such as substitutions, formations and strategy, sports sim freaks like myself will find unbelievable depth in the gameplay department. Also, the penalty kicking in the game deserves special mention. Unlike most soccer games, where the penalty shootout ends up being simply a guessing game, regardless of how good a goalie of shooter is, Konami has introduced a unique idea. The better the goalie, the more area they can cover when you jump (indicated by a larger box) in a particular direction, and the better the shooter, the more chance they have of being accurate (indicated by a smaller box in which you can pick your spots more precisely). Finally, the scenario mode is great (you are put in a situation and must come out victorious. For example - Italy trails Brazil 1-0 with a minute left in the second half, you are Italy. It is your job to come out with the win), but unfortunately, there are only 16 different scenarios to choose from. Couple all these incredible gameplay features with 5 skill levels and perfect control, and you have got yourself one of the best sports games ever and without a doubt, the best soccer title ever.

All in all, Konami has gone out and rewritten how gamers look at soccer games, and how they shall look at them from now on. In comparison, Konami’s title outdoes EA’s FIFA 64 in every category but one...number of selectable teams, ISS64’s only downfall. There are only 36, compared to FIFA’s over 200, but in the end it doesn’t matter because the game is just so good. If nothing else, Konami’s success makes me drool over the thought of their future titles...when the have actually learned the strengths and weaknesses of the N64 hardware! Imagine what 64-bit Castlevania will be like, as well as Goemon, Contra - and dare I dream - Suikoden. The possibilities are endless. Do yourself a favour and give International Superstar Soccer a try, you will not play a better game of soccer until Konami decides to release International Superstar Soccer 64 2.

Graphics : 10/10

Sound : 9/10

Control : 10/10

Gameplay : 10/10

OVERALL : 95%

- by Pantaloonman