Soccer is Nintendo’s foundational 1985 sports title for the NES. Developed by Intelligent Systems, this early arcade-style football game laid the groundwork for the console sports genre. It features an intuitive top-down perspective, adjustable match lengths ranging from 15 to 45 in-game minutes, and a roster of seven international teams.
How to play: Your objective is to outscore the opposing team before the timer runs out. Use the D-pad (mapped to arrow keys) to move your players. On offense, press B (Z) to pass the ball and A (X) to shoot. On defense, press B (Z) to switch control to the player closest to the ball, and A (X) to perform a sliding tackle. Press Start (Enter) to pause the game.
Tips:
- Time your tackles: Sliding tackles are highly effective but leave you vulnerable if you miss. Only commit to a tackle when you are close enough to cleanly steal the ball.
- Curve your shots: You can apply “aftertouch” to the ball by pressing the D-pad immediately after passing or shooting, allowing you to bend the ball around defenders or the goalkeeper.
- Watch the kick-off: The game moves fast right from the center circle. Be ready to immediately pass or intercept as soon as the whistle blows.
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