International Sensible Soccer - Limited Edition: World Champions

"One Of, If Not The, Best Football Games Of All Time!"

Though, comparing to todays computer games, it looks like something that has been drawn up on Microsoft Paint, there is no denying that Sensible Soccer is on of the best football games ever created. The graphics are basic yet so, so effective, the gameplay is absolutely wonderful and the customisability of the game is second to none.

Graphics: 8/10

Obviously, looking at todays games, the graphics are pretty poor, but when it was first released back in 1990 on the Sega Genesis, they were some of the best around. But, even by todays standards, it still moves incredibly fluently and it flows so much better than games like Fifa 2006 and Pro Evolution 5. They never skip or jump, it is easy to look at and the game is coloured beautifully. The menus are colourful and easy to follow too. If we were still in the early 90's, it would get 10 for graphics, but times change and next to this generation of games, it isn't that good.

Sound: 6/10

Perhaps the worst thing about the game is the sound. Just like all games from the early 90's, the music sounds very much like basic polyphonic ringtones. At first it might seem quite catchy and you may even find youself humming along to it, but, after about 10 to 15 minutes, it just become downright unbearable! Fortunately there is an option to turn music off, or, even better, would just be to put your TV on mute! The in-game sounds aren't that good either. Threre is the standard kicking off a ball sound for every kick of a ball and a whistle. The crowd sounds are perhaps the worst aspect of the game, as they are pretty awful. The match is practically silent until something happens, wether it be a save by the 'keeper, that is met by "OHHHH!", a free kick is given, that is met by "BOOO!" or a goal, that is met by a very short wild burst of cheers. When you play the game, you will understand. The sound is poor on the game but it gets the job done.

Gameplay: 10/10

This is where that game flourishes! Of course, Sensible isn't remotely realistic, with completely crazy heading dynamics, twenty-foot-long sliding tackles, the ball sticking to your feet and 80 yard goals. The fact that it is like that is all part of the charm and always was. Almost by accident and limitation these early attempts to simulate football ended up simply being great games, and that's all that mattered to most of us. Sensible's was simple, watertight design that didn't overwhelm the player with 49 combos to learn and that's precisely why players liked it and why it still feels fresh today. As I mentioned earlier under the 'Graphics' section, it flows brilliantly well, better than most games like Fifa 06 PES etc...

Extras: 10/10

The other stuff to do on the game is wonderful. Weather it be editing a team or creating an entirely new one, designing your own kits, creating you own cups, tournements and leagues or just playing a simple game of football, you will never tire of it. I believe it was the first football game that gave you an editor to allow you to change and update club and national teams line ups and create you own dream teams. What was a real eye opener in those day was that fact that you could change the players appearence and the teams kit. So, Pro Evo Soccer and FIFA players can thank Sensible Software for pioneering such a brilliant idea. There are so many teams to choose from too, including over 60 international teams, over 60 clubs and over 60 custom teams.

Replayability: 10+1/10

With so much to do, so much to see, you will probably never tire of it. And even if you do, you will go back to it within a matter of months, if not weeks.

Overall it is the absolute best football game that has ever been made, not only because of the many options, fluid and easy to use gameplay and unlimited replayability but also because it paved that way for pretty much every football game going today. If you can get this on the Sega Genesis or Amiga, get it. If you can't, buy a Sega or Amiga just so you can have this! Or, at the very least, get it on an emulator... And please please please, don't get the 2006 version on the PS2.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/11/06