Soccer

Soccer on the NES is one of the earliest and most iconic football games, developed by Nintendo. Its gameplay focuses on simplicity and intuitiveness, fitting the technology of its time.

Players control a team of 6 players on the field (5 field players and 1 goalkeeper). The objective is to score more goals than the opponent within a set time limit. Player controls are quite basic: use the D-pad to move and the A/B buttons to perform actions. When possessing the ball, players can pass the ball to teammates or shoot the ball towards the opponent's goal. When not in possession, players can switch between players to control the one closest to the ball and attempt to tackle the opponent.

The shooting mechanism is straightforward; players simply press the shoot button, and the ball will travel along a certain trajectory. The goalkeeper is AI-controlled and will automatically move to block shots. However, players can also control the goalkeeper when the ball is near their goal area to make crucial saves.

The game features various national teams for players to choose from, differing only in jersey color. There are no differences in stats or skills between teams. Matches are played in two halves, each with a time limit. When time runs out, the team with more goals wins. If tied, the game continues with extra time or a penalty shootout depending on the settings.

Despite its simplicity, Soccer still delivered enjoyment and competition, laying the groundwork for future football games.