Worldwide Soccer

Copyright: KBkids.com 1997

The popularity of soccer has dramatically increased in the United States in the past decade. Soccer remains the most popular team sport worldwide. It is therefore no surprise that Sega Sports has added this new version of Worldwide Soccer to it's lineup. The program contains very realistic graphics and action, but is a bit difficult to figure out for the non-soccer aficionado, or computer novice.

Worldwide Soccer allows you to become deeply involved in the sport of soccer. Wonderful 3D graphics are similar to those found in NBA Action 98. As players move around the field there is a feeling of involvement not possible a few years ago. The computer programming is very well done. Testers found the game much more difficult to figure out than NBA Action 98, also by Sega Sports. You can play one-on-one against the computer or a friend, with a friend against the computer, or head to head through a LAN, network or over ,the Internet. Although not as much fun, you can also watch the computer play itself.

Four difficulty levels make this a program which even the most ardent soccer fan will find challenging. You can choose to play an exhibition game, a world league tournament, worldwide cup tournament, or become involved in a penalty shoot out. Countries from around the globe are represented. Teams, players and game strategies are highly customizable. The game play itself can be set up with many options. It is up to you which stadium you play in, what the weather is like, what time of day you will play, as well as game features like 3-15 minutes halves, offensive and defensive strategies and more.

A text file is included which explains game play and options. Very little of this help is readily available, and some might find the program difficult to figure out. At times, testers found themselves clicking randomly and hitting keys trying to figure out what was supposed to happen. If you are not familiar with the intricacies of soccer, the problem becomes even more dramatic. This is a great program, but not one for a family who is intimidated by the computer and still trying to figure out how to install a program. This program is for someone who is not intimidated by the computer and understands a bit about the sport of soccer. If you are in that category, you will find the game play exciting and very realistic. You can even view the field from various angles and watch replay action with real-time commentary in either English or German.

Bottom Line: A very well done program technicaSplly, enjoyable for the soccer fan, but perhaps a bit intimidating to the average computing family.

Ratings: (based on KBkids.com's 4 star rating system)

Overall: 3

BrainGain: 2

FunFactor: 3

EasePlease: 2

I can hardly believe I found a copy of this older program, but here you go! http://www.cdaccess.com/html/quick/segasoccpr.htm