Adidas Sponsored Football (Adidas Power Soccer (PS))

Member Name: JJJJ

Product:	Adidas Power Soccer (PS)
Date:	25/11/08 (119 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast Paced & Fun

Disadvantages: Now Dated

As well as my 'quest' to find the best tasting alternative tea, I've also embarked on a sub-mission to review the all-time classic football games (...oh, the excitement!). So far, I've taken a look at 'Sensible Soccer' and 'Actua Soccer' - two gems from the past, whilst todays review takes me right back to the memorable summer of 1996 and 'Adidas Power Soccer'.

Made by Psygnosis, Adidas Power Soccer was actually the first game I owned for the Playstation as it came free with the console. At the time, I was new to all the next-gen malarkey and was incredibly impressed with the graphics - the likes of which I had never seen before. Looking at the visuals now, they look quite dated (as you would expect) - but I remember thinking they looked lifelike at the time - how wrong was I!. You can see for yourself in this video I found on Youtube.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=As27jU70aww

Adidas Power soccer's gameplay was excellent, and there were a range of options relating to the in-game settings. The style of play was more arcade based rather than simulation - but the players were based on real footballers from the European leagues, which added a bit more fun to proceedings. The pace was fast, and the two player mode resulted in matches which were direct, and full of end-to-end entertainment.

There were however, a couple of big flaws in Adidas Power Soccer's gameplay. Firstly, there was one area of the pitch (just on the centre circle line) where you could face your opponents goal, press the long pass button, and score around 80% of the time. The result would be a huge lob, flying over the opposing keepers head, and landing just under the crossbar. I loved the game, because I had mastered this move, whilst the majority of my friends haden't!

Adidas Power Soccer was a classic. I doubt it would hold up amongst today's highly polished football experiences, but it's a game I look back on with fondness.

...It also featured a video advert break at half time - which was cool!

Summary: Decent Football Experience