FIFA Soccer 64

THERE'S ONE THING THE official FIFA licence guarantees: authenticity. Not only does FIFA 64 feature virtually every half-decent international team, plus Wales, but it also packs in hundreds of club teams from around the world. These include your favourite Premiership sides (and more), all with accurate, up-to-date line-ups and player statistics. Motty types will have a field day, particularly as you can compete in a full league season, playoffs (knockout cup), and World Cup-style tournament.

Interestingly enough, John Motson is actually here in the stadium to provide a decent commentary, although surprisingly there's no mention of the players' names. The legendary BBC motormouth is aided by silky Des Lynam and the odd comment from Sky Sport's Andy Gray. Talk about a star line-up, EA has obviously pulled out all the stops to make this just like a real big TV match.

As well as countless different stadium views, including Shoulder and Ball Cams, there's even a picture-in-picture option. Meanwhile the crowd gets all excited, blowing air-horns and drumming away like the Glitter Band. The authentic audio is completed by grunts and shouts from the players.

TELLING JERKS

So the stage is set for a memorable game of football. However, as is often the case, what looks promising on paper turns out to be a dour struggle. For a start, the graphics in FIFA 64 appalling considering the machine's awesome capabilities.

The motion-captured players look okay in close-up, but jerk very noticeably from one set animation to the next, making their actions look very stilted. Incredibly, even the camera rotation judders in sympathy – what the heck is going on here? Maybe it's a casualty of the picture-in-picture facility, which apart from the standard radar setting is all a bit pointless and at times obscures the defenders. A human opponent will find it just as hard to tackle as you zig-zag and hammer the dash button to spurt past. The main alternative is to whack a long ball forward for your striker to chase (again using the dash).

As for headers, they're virtually impossible to connect, never mind direct. Other anomalies include the rocket-like throw-ins and goalie throw-outs – do these guys have robotic arms or what? The only other vaguely flashy move is a heel flick, although its usefulness isn't apparent.

Although fast-paced, the result is frustratingly shallow, predictable action that even a long-suffering Arsenal fan would find difficult to endure. One soon begins to crave the nifty through-balls and one-twos of Konami's ISS Pro, which at least encouraged invention and creativity. At the end of the day, FIFA 64 may have all the real players and some TV-style gimmicks, but it doesn't play a decent game of football and is one of the N64's worst games. Avoid.

With such an auspicious lineage of topnotch soccer action behind it, FIFA's sure to provide welcome relief to sports-starved N64 gamers.

Graphics & Sounds

Even though all these pix are from the Japanese version of FIFA, the graphics already seem headed for a solid outing. EA plans to tune the overall visual look to more closely match the customary FIFA look in the U.S., and every player will wear a color-correct, real-life uniform. As for sounds, the N64 doesn't support all the rich play-by-play and crowd noise that you'll find on CD versions of the game, but EA says that using onscreen text to announce player names will enable the game to be as current as possible in assembling the rosters.

Features

FIFA's primed for "football" fury. Up to four players can hit the field with more than 200 FIFA-licensed teams in three outdoor stadiums. The usual array of strategy options enables you to run formations from the sweeper to all-out offense, though there's no word yet on whether indoor action will make this version. On the control side, strikers can bust out rainbow kicks, bicycle kicks, headers, diving headers, several tackles, and flying volleys. FIFA supports both the directional pad and the joystick, but EA reports that the stick will provide finer control over player momentum and aftertouch on the ball.

Competing with only arcade-style sports games on the N64, FIFA Soccer 64 immerses sports fans in a fine round of intense, realistic soccer. That said, it lacks the pizzazz and originality of a runaway N64 hit like Wave Race. FIFA's an undeniably strong title, but most gamers will expect more from the first U.S. N64 soccer game.

Teams Galore

As always, FIFA dishes out the largest list of teams and players in soccer gaming. Play in international circles with a huge list of teams from countries that range from Argentina to Zambia, or hit the local circuits in England, the U.S., Italy, France, and Gennany. With a great lineup of Exhibition and Tournament modes, as well as arcade- and sim-style action, FIFA packs in huge replayability.

Of course, you'll also find team strategy and formations, as well as two tackles, rainbow kicks, bicycle kicks, headers, and the like. But these have been standard FIFA features on 32-bit plat-fonns for a while now. Where are the innovations--cool new kicks and moves, a create-a-player option, indoor action, and so on--that would help it shine as 64-bit soccer? Those questions aside, FIFA still puts on a solid match, offering gripping games and fun action.

Rainbow Kick

On the control side, FIFA generally responds smoothly. Passing and shooting handle fine, though the quirky player switching can be frustrating as it occasionally leaves you out of the play.

Graphically, FIFA boots one in with gorgeous stadiums and fluid, realistic player movements. But the players are too small in the playable views, and the game speed is definitely sluggish at times. As for sounds. FIFA's trademark crowd chants and on-the-ball commentary keep the stadium rockin'. More lively onfield effects would've added a lot, though.

Bottom Line

When the ref's whistle blows, FIFA ranks as a strong but unremarkable first effort with plenty of room to improve. If you're jonesin' for some hardcore soccer (or sports, for that matter) on your N64, snap it up. But if you want to wait to be dazzled by 64-bit soccer, Konami's International Superstar Soccer (see review of Perfect Striker in "Sports Pages," this issue) has more promise.

Hhhhuurkhhh-phtuii! Footballers are well known for their gobbing - the chances are they're thrutching their phlegm at this. FIFA 64 is a truly horrible football game, as thrilling as the Chelsea Pensioners' Sunday League and as realistic as William Shatner's hair. Even wholesale price cutting couldn't help it. Luckily, the sequel is a drastically better proposition.

Abysmal travesty of a football game with jerky animation, moronic players and graphics so blurry they're singing Parklife.

How in the wide, wide world of sport did this get through Nintendo's quality control department? We can only wonder.