FIFA International Soccer

STORY / GAMEPLAY
There are 40 international teams to compete in four different modes: Instant Replay, Exhibition, Tournament and Championship. The full gamut of soccer rules and actions are implemented here, including tackles, throw-in, corner kicks and penalties. The game has quite responsive controls (some would find it a bit complicated though to master). Kicking is done with the A and B buttons for high and low kicks. Holding down a button lets you aim and set the strength, allowing you to run one way and kick in another. Note that the player control goes automatically to the player closest to the ball, which might be a bit confusing at times when too many players involved in a scene. Holding down the A button while you have the ball in possession, lets you aim and set the strength in order to give a pass in a short, medium or high distance. Without the ball in possession, pressing button A changes between active players. Holding down button B when having the ball, lets you aim and set the strength to shoot in a short, medium or high distance. Without the ball in possession, pressing B the player tackles! Team formation and tactics can change at any time through the menu by pausing the game. Despite its impressive presentation, with loads of international teams, players and some competent visuals, this portable FIFA version falls quite short. The field is too wide and the screen is zoomed in the players too closely, making ball possession hard at times. While trying to pass the ball, it will many times go off screen and you can't tell which team is going to possess it and there is no mini map.

GRAPHICS / SOUND
Unlike later FIFA games presented in full 3D, FIFA International Soccer plays in an isometric perspective and has much simpler gameplay. The programmers managed to implement the same isometric perspective of the 16bit versions. It is by its own an impressive feature for an 8bit portable system! The visual details of the pitch and players and their animations with the isometric view is an awesome combination and each match is played really nice. This version's sound is acceptable, offering a main menu tune and several in-game sound effects with some echo for the audience and the sounds of passing and kicking the ball.