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With a name resembling a Pizza base/Sorbet manufacturer, Dino Dini and his Goal are warming up on the Megadrive touchline. For the uninitiated, Dino is the guy who created the Amiga classic, Kick Off, all those years back. Since then he has continued his plans for footy domination with Kick Off II (which became the incredibly lame Super Kick Off for the Megadrive), but seemed to disappear when these young whippersnappers Sensi and FIFA appeared.

Having been deposed from his numero uno spot for nearly a year, Dino has returned with Goal, another conversion from the Amiga. Using Kick Off's bird's-eye view, and boasting all the rules and tactics from the real thing. Dino's newie also features a unique zoom mode (Zoom-o-vision?) which closes up on the action when things get exciting.

All the expected footy features have been included, with the required number of leagues, cups, kit options and corners. In terms of graphics, Goal looks very similar to Kick Off, but the sprites look better and the aforementioned zoom mode makes an enormous difference. The latter can be brought into play at any time, with the action focused on after kick off and switched via a simple press of the Start button.

Goal is the game US Gold's Super Kick Off should have been. With his Amiga Kick Off experience behind him, Dino Dini has created an incredibly fast kick around which more than matches Sensi in the playability stakes.

Goal speeds along at a stunning pace, yet proves eminently controllable, and extremely addictive. Control over the ball is tricky at first as there's no 'glue ball', but it soon becomes second nature - as does mastering aftertouch.

With plenty of options and gameplay in spades, Goal comes heavily recommended.

Dino Dini really has outdone himself with this speed, but elegant, kick about. Graphically on a par with Sensi, the scrolling is silky smooth and turbo-charged. But what really sold me was the challenge presented by the ball control.

Often footie games have the feeling that you're not always in control, but tackles this problem superbly, if initially, infuriatingly. To top it off the loads of teams and player editor options make this a hot cup contender.

Graphics 64%
Nice zoom option, and puny but nicely animated sprites.

Sound 63%
All the usual whistles and roars. Nowt special.

Playability 90%
Fast and fun - just how a soccer game should be.

Lastability 90%
The Cup takes some winning, and the two-player ensures longevity.

Value For Money 87%
Soccer games are ten a penny, but this is one of the best.

Overall 88%
The fastest footy game available for the Megadrive, and as addictive as Sensi.