Soccer (Japan, USA)

Soccer on the NES is one of the earliest football games on the system, offering a simple yet addictive experience. Players control an 11-player team with the objective of scoring goals against the opponent. Gameplay focuses on basic football actions: passing, shooting, and moving. Players use the D-pad to move their player, while the A and B buttons are used to perform actions like passing or shooting, depending on whether the player is in possession of the ball or not.

When attacking, players can dribble past opposing defenders, pass the ball to teammates to create opportunities, or shoot directly at the goal. The accuracy of shots and passes often depends on the direction of movement and the player's position. When defending, players need to try and steal the ball from opponents by moving their player close or performing simple tackles. Switching between players often occurs automatically based on ball position, or players can actively switch.

The game offers several national teams to choose from, each with distinct jersey colors but no significant differences in stats or skills. Matches are played in two halves, with a time limit. The graphics of Soccer feature the distinctive 8-bit style of the NES, with players designed simply but recognizably. The sound is also minimalist, mainly consisting of kick sounds, referee whistles, and simple background music. Although it lacks the complex tactical depth of modern football games, Soccer remains an iconic title, laying the groundwork for the football game genre on consoles and bringing joy to millions of gamers during the NES's golden age.