FIFA International Soccer

FIFA International Soccer was the very first installment of what is now a legendary football series, and on the Mega Drive it brought fast, arcade-tuned football from an angled view that reminded viewers more of a view from the stands than the classic top-down view known from other football games of the time. The game featured licensed national teams and several cup competitions, though without full club licenses, and relied mainly on brisk, easy-to-grasp controls for a wide audience of players, including those who otherwise didn't follow football.

The shift from a realistic top-down view to an angled camera was a technically bold move on the Mega Drive that helped the game stand out among competitors and felt visually fresh, including in the animation of players on the pitch during shooting duels. The controls were deliberately simplified - dribbling, passing, and shooting worked intuitively, which made the game an ideal choice for matches with friends, similar to the competing Sensible Soccer, which however relied on a different, more sophisticated approach to tactics and a top-down view of the entire pitch at once.

Commercially the game became a huge success and kicked off one of the longest-running sports brands in video game history, which under the EA Sports banner continues to this day with yearly updates of teams, rosters, and licenses of national competitions. At the time of release, players took a liking to the game mainly for its fun multiplayer and the catchy EA Sports jingle, which stayed associated with later installments in subsequent years and became a well-known part of the marketing for the whole franchise worldwide. Even with the passage of time, FIFA International Soccer remains a pleasant reminder of the beginnings of one of the biggest sports franchises of all, and an example of how a simple idea like an angled camera could found a long tradition that survived the change of several console generations.

Why play it: As the start of one of the longest-running sports franchises, FIFA International Soccer will delight with fun multiplayer and the iconic EA Sports jingle, a pleasant reminder to this day of the modest beginnings of a great series.