Format: Sega CD
Genre: Sports
Developer: Extended Play Productions
Publisher: Electronic Arts

The miniature football pitch, almost tilt-shift perspective, with cute little players doing headers, bicycle kicks, and goal keeper parries are lifted straight from the cartridge version of the game-- in fact, the game engine itself doesn't appear to utilize the Sega CD hardware at all. The window dressing around the game, however, makes heavy use of live action video clips, most of which are shared in various forms with the 3DO release. The bizarre, almost water-color finished "Loading... Please Wait!" images are the only own goal in an otherwise winning effort.

Also shared with the 3DO version are the absolutely incredible crowd noises: from iconic chants to horn blowing to beating drums, it's an aural treat which puts modern football titles to absolute shame! The excellent music tracks from the cartridge version have all been re-done, Red Book-style, with real instrumentation, and sound a treat. The YM2612 sound effects are straight from the cartridge version, but that's no bad thing, as the ball thumps and referee whistles lend the game its own distinct character.

Although the cartridge original struggled to even approximate the passing movements of the real sport, it had lots of ludonarrative richness-- and none of that has changed with this Sega CD port, as the gameplay engine is lifted wholesale. As is the case with the cartridge version, the name of the game is winning the ball back with the "B" button, and letting aftertouch-filled shots rip from long distance. Once again, the game can be played with up to four players compliments of a multi-tap.

This Sega CD port has some wonderful improvements over the cartridge original: there is the spectacular in-match audio and Red Book-remixed music; the password system is gone, thankfully replaced with actual saving compliments of the Sega CD hardware; and the various video clips used through the package are well-produced and fun to watch. On the flip-side, the pause menu has been cleaved in two, with the tactical choices locked behind two loading screens-- one when entering that sub-menu, one when leaving. While this CD rendition of FIFA doesn't have FIFA 95's improvements despite coming out the same year, it's still a fun, multimedia take on the very good original title.

Format: Cartridge
Genre: Sports
Developer: Extended Play Productions
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Miniature pixel footballers, with oodles of animation, run about a detailed isometric pitch, with the ball smoothly and delightfully spinning and curling through the air-- the formula is great, and the execution top-notch! The way that the ball hisses just wide on a near-miss is incredibly satisfying. The Mega Drive's powerful 68000 CPU gives the game great fluidity, and a perfect frame rate. Many of the menus are back-dropped by shots of the benches and crowd, with coaches nervously crossing and uncrossing their legs in front of charmingly drawn and shaded advertising boards. A cute little spinning football serves as the menu cursor.

It's sad to say, but this very first iteration of FIFA, running on hardware that first came on the market in 1988, is more interesting to listen to than any modern football game. There is no commentary, unlike the later DOS port, and the audio is definitely a lower sample rate than the eventual 3DO rendition-- yet, the crowd boos offside calls, samba dances to drums while the ball works through midfield, and the menu songs are incredibly catchy, with just enough 'tude to give the title some extra character.

For the new player, FIFA International Soccer is chaotic and difficult; it's nearly impossible to maintain possession, and the goal keepers save everything sent in their direction. But then the title's own logic starts to emerge; tapping "B" causes players to both win the ball and also results in a sort of de-facto short passing game. Redirecting the ball in the air with the d-pad results in spectacular scoring opportunities. The game also presents wonderful ludonarrative scenarios-- like a time when this reviewer was playing a World Cup semi-finals match, and was tied 2-2 with 9-man England, only to score an audacious golden goal, long-range set piece curler, on the very brink of penalties. Drama!

FIFA International Soccer plays like a pleasantly slowed-down version of "Sensible Soccer", combined with an impressive litany of sim-elements: there are "players running off and on" substitutions, an offside rule, a plethora of formation and tactical options, both yellow and red cards, set pieces, and even full password-based season and group-stage/knockout ladder tournament modes! The passing is a little finicky, and the game certainly doesn't "flow" like the real deal-- but perhaps that's what gives this game its ridiculously addictive quality; it sits right in the sweet spot between "fast-paced arcade action" and "full simulator."