Kick Off (series)

Kick Off is a series of association football (soccer) video games initially developed by Dino Dini and published by Anco Software. The series is known for its top-down perspective, fast-paced gameplay, and innovative features for its time, such as after-touch control, which allowed players to influence the ball's trajectory after kicking it.

The first game, Kick Off, was released in 1989 and was a commercial success, spawning several sequels and spin-offs across various platforms, including Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, and later, consoles. Subsequent titles included Kick Off 2 (often considered the most popular in the series), Kick Off 3, and various updated versions and offshoots.

The Kick Off series distinguished itself from other soccer games of the era by prioritizing skill and tactical play over overly simplistic controls. Its demanding control scheme and emphasis on realistic ball physics made it a favorite among hardcore soccer game enthusiasts.

While later iterations of the series were released under different developers and publishers, the original Kick Off games remain a fondly remembered part of video game history, particularly among those who grew up playing them on 16-bit computers. The series is credited with influencing subsequent soccer games and contributing to the evolution of the genre.