Mean Machines Sega
1st December 1992
Publisher: Sega
Machine: Sega Master System (EU Version)
Published in Mean Machines Sega #3
World Cup Italia '90
There's not really much we can say about this one. It's a soccer game, it scrolls vertically and it's cack. So there you are.
What We Said Then
Jaz: The graphics are all out of scale (the men are nearly as big as the goal!), the ball movement is utterly unrealistic and the sound is dreadful.
Matt: A football game that does not reward skill easily is no football game at all - and sadly that's the case here.
What We Say Now
Rich: Pathetic. World Cup Italia '90 was awful then and it's even worse now. A footballing debacle even more forlorn and shabby than England's simpering performance in the European championships. Take 10% off each rating.
Verdict
Presentation 83%
The starting screen is fair, and the team selection screen is rather jolly. Throughout the game, the standard remains high.
Nice presentation screens, but the in-game graphics are gaudy and confusing.
Sound 56%
Whistles, cheers, and other spot effects - but they're very tinny indeed.
Playability 53%
Don't expect to play this long into the night - it's irritatingly difficult to control.
Lastability 39%
The frustrating controls and naff playability result in this quickly being relegated to the software shelf.
Overall 51%
A very poor effort that's disappointing in the extreme - get World Cup Soccer instead.
