C&VG
1st March 1987
Super Soccer
Da-da - dada - da da da - dum-de - dum dum dum. Hello, and welcome to the Priory Court ground for the first round in the C&VG Challenge Cup. The two teams, captained by Paul "Do I have to wear these shorts?" Boughton and Tim "I played in a charity match once" Metcalfe, as just kicking off the first game in this prestigious challenge series which will determine who'll get the sandwiches for lunch...
Yup, here's yet another soccer game to delight indoor football fans. It's a sort of enhanced Match Day - complete with bigger players, more complex control options and improved, more accurate, playability. Plus options galore.
Up to eight players can take part in the tournament game, and there are single game and practice options to choose from. You can select the colour of the border, pitch and team strip at will, define your own team names, and set the time for each game.
The practice mode allows you to try out the controls. Which is useful at the joystick combinations are pretty tricky.
When taking free kicks and corners, a plan view of the pitch comes up on screen and you have thirty seconds to place your team in strategic positions. Use the joystick or keyboard to position your man for throw-ins.
The key to success is learning how to pass the ball among your team and getting used to the complex controls which allow you to duck and dive around the pitch at will.
The players are nicely animated - although they all look a bit like Charlie George, complete with flowing hair. Game action isn't that fast - but once you get into the game, it doesn't seem to matter that much. Wrestling with the controls will make you glad of the relative slowness of the game.The keeper is a bit limited in his actions in goal kick situations - but otherwise can behave like a normal player and can head shots away from goal if the ball is in the air.
If you decide to play a tournament - against the computer or other live players then the computer will make the draw for you and display a scorechart after each game. Any combination of computer controlled/player teams can take part in the tournament. You can perform all sorts of stunts - like 90 and 45 degree turns, chip shots, lobs and driving shots at goal.
Super Soccer is probably the closest you'll get to the real thing in terms of player controls - the only thing that's missing from the pitch is the ref and linesmen!If you're looking for an accurate and playable computer soccer game then you won't find better for the Spectrum than Super Soccer.
All that, and really neat sliding tackles which help you win back the ball in tight situations. But you can foul the opposition - so beware of giving away too many free kicks and penalties when you begin to play.
And watch the energy level of the player you are controlling - switching to a new player could give you a bit more speed in certain situations.The player under your control is indicated by a little halo affair - but it's up to you whether your player is a saint or a sinner.
You can switch between your players by simply hitting the fire button - otherwise the nearest member of your team to the ball will be the "active" player.
If you commit a foul your player notches up penalty points - and yes, if you exceed the bounds of sportsmanship you'll get shown the red card and sent off for an early bath.
Screenshots
