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World Cup Carnival is the official licensed World Cup game and is US Gold's attempt to capture the World Cup fever. The game was completed just too late to include in last month's feature, hence the review now.

The game is, in fact, a pack full of World Cup goodies including a sew-on badge, two posters; one "amazing facts about the Word Cup" and the other a record of the tournament record which is completed by you sticking on adhesive flags of the teams as they progress to the final.

US Gold are really hedging their bets as there are enough flags for each team to reach the trophy so if Algeria or Canada spring a shock win, you'll be ready!

The game itself actually consists of four parts. A practice game allows you to practice your ball skill by flipping the ball up, then bouncing it on your knees, feet and head as your score points for each bounce as well as take and save penalties.

Taking penalties involves waggling the joystick to charge up to the ball at high speed where a joystick push decides where you place it. Then if you want to practise your goalkeeping skills, you simply decide which of seven dives to make and hope the penalty taker hits it in that direction.

Unfortunately, perfecting these practice skills has absolutely no effect on the football game itself. Instead, a better plan is to have played Artic's World Cup or World Cup 2 - as this game is a slightly enhanced version of that classic.

Up to eight players can choose a team that begins its quest for the cup with a quarter final match.

Then the gameplay exactly follows Artic's games with 3D players battling it out on a scrolling pitch. You control the player nearest the ball but you can pass it to others in a defence splitting move by passing the ball, then quickly pressing the fire button to transfer control to a teammate who you can then guide onto the ball. Perfect that move and your goalscorers will soon be leaping for joy.

If you win then you're on to the semis and then the final. If you lose, you're out but luckily you don't have to wait four years to have another go.