Soccer (1985 video game)

Soccer, released in 1985, is a sports video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It is a relatively early entry in the genre for the console.

The game features a simplified, side-scrolling perspective of a soccer match. Players control a team of eleven footballers attempting to score against the opposing team. Gameplay consists of passing, shooting, tackling, and goalkeeping.

Soccer includes various gameplay modes, typically offering single-player matches against the computer AI and two-player head-to-head matches. The player can choose from a limited number of national teams, each represented with slight variations in attributes, although largely cosmetic differences.

The game is noted for its straightforward controls and accessible gameplay, making it a popular title during the NES's early years. While basic by modern standards, Soccer provided a fundamental representation of the sport on the console. Common criticisms include simplistic AI and repetitive gameplay. Nevertheless, it remains a nostalgic title for many NES enthusiasts.