FIFA Soccer 64, known in Europe as FIFA 64 and in Japan as J. League Live 64, is an association football video game developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts for the Nintendo 64. The cover features Manchester United midfielder Jordi Cruyff. The game garnered mixed reviews from critics upon release. Although its simulation was generally praised as realistic, reviewers critiqued the jerky animation, choppy frame-rates, unresponsive controls, and underwhelming usage of the Nintendo 64's capabilities. The Japanese version has only players and teams officially licensed from Japan's J. League.
Gameplay
Game options include Friendly, Exhibition, Playoff, Tournament, and League, and play modes include Simulation, Arcade, and Action. High numbers of pre-orders for FIFA 64 led Electronic Arts to reverse its recent decision to withdraw from Nintendo 64 software development, instead announcing plans to release several EA Sports games for the Nintendo 64 over the next year.
Reception
The game received mixed reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. Peer Schneider felt it "simply looks rushed", "FIFA Soccer 64 boasts smart AI and a good license, but the game disappoints more than it impresses."