Mega Man Soccer

"Only one word can describe this game: Scrumbtralescent!"

When I was a young lad with my Super Nintendo, I remember venturing to my local video store to rent a game that might entertain me for the weekend off from school. It was during this time in the store that I noticed a certain game call Megaman Soccer. The game intrigued me at first and I thought it was joke. However, this did not stop me from walking up to the front and asking about it. I was soon to find that the game was real and that they had one copy available for rent. I decided why not, this should be interesting enough for the weekend.

I went home and put the game into my Super Nintendo and sat down, expecting a soccer game with awful gameplay and lousy graphics (for Super Nintendo that is...) To my disbelief, I was completely blown away. Not only was this game fun, but disgustingly addictive. I was like a heroin addict begging for more. I ended up never returning it to the video store, and to this day I still play it.

Presentation: 9/10
Full menus that are very easy to get through. I never had any trouble finding my way through the game. Characters are easy to sort through and place on your team. Everything is very clear and laid out. The only reason I don't give it a perfect score here is because some of the menus come off as being to simple, not as much effort was put into them.

Graphics: 8/10
While this isn't Donkey Kong Country here, the graphics are still solid. I haven't ever experienced any glitches while playing. The sprites are solid for each character and very colorful. Special moves look impressive, especially when flying through someone. The only time the graphics are lacking is when characters interact with each other on the field, for example, when you take the ball away from another player, it sometimes comes out not as smooth as it could. Other than that though, they are solid.

Sound: 10/10
First of all, its a Megaman game so you know that it is going to have great music. All songs are fluent and quite catchy too. as for the sound effects in game. All sounds keep up with the game and work quite well for each situation. When you do your power shot, the sound of it lets everyone know it as it blasts through the goalie.

Controls: 8/10
Pretty simple controls. You can pass, shoot, head the ball, use your super shoot, slide tackle, basic things like that. Controls are pretty dead on with the game. The only problem with the controls is the fact that characters run to slow, simply keep hitting the slide button and you can catch someone with the ball. The game also remains at midfield a lot because of the ability to head the ball.

Lasting Appeal: 10/10
I couldn't put the game down once I stop. Sure its not perfect, but that doesn't stop me from having a great time with it. So many characters to choose from to build your ultimate team. While the single player is fun, the multiplayer is where this game really shines. Me and my friends would spend hours having tournaments with this game. It definitely has one of the highest replay values of any sports game. Plus the fact that its Megaman helps.

Overall Experience: 10/10
Megaman Soccer just might go down in my book as the greatest and most unique sports game I have ever played. From the minute I started playing it, I never put it down. It will always have a special place in my heart and I always look at it as the little soccer game that could. I highly recommend this game to anyone that can get their dirty little hands on it, trust me, you won't regret it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/20/03, Updated 06/20/03