International Superstar Soccer Pro 98

Konami
PlayStation

I've never been a big fan of the football offerings of console games. It probably has something to do with my mixed enthusiasm for soccer itself (played it, never followed it) but more to do with the clunkiness of the games themselves.

It shouldn't really require thumb gymnastics to make a simple pass, it should follow the physics of the sport (not too many goals are scored by tinpot shots from half-way in real life) and exhibit some of its natural grace.

Many a football simulator tries to do much of the above.

However, the good news is that this unwieldy-named new title tries much harder and largely succeeds.

It is simple on the control front but comes with more than enough detail (34 international teams featuring name players, World Cup-like tournaments) to keep the severely demented fan happy and some nice touches to make it a spectator sport for anyone else waiting a turn - like when the ref comes out with the yellow card and the offending player throws a tantrum. It also helps, of course, that it looks great.

That's whether it's the stadium setting with its variable day/night playing times and weather conditions or in the movement department - the players exhibit both that aforementioned natural grace when they're running and have a capacity for finicky foot-work.

It's got a good mental game, too, requiring pass-reliant tactics rather than solo slogging.

Points off for including an Australian team and not a New Zealand one (considering our recent results) but anyone wanting a state-of-the-art football sim shouldn't pass this one by.
- Russell Baillie, 7DAYS, 12/11/98

PICTURED: Head to head: Fabrizio Ravanelli (Olympique Marseille) fronts up to Paul Ince (Liverpool) in International Superstar Soccer Pro 98.