Play Inazuma Eleven (F) Online

You recruit a ragtag team of kids with wild hairstyles and teach them absurd soccer moves, then unleash tornado shots and flaming tackles in matches that feel like turn-based anime fights. The story’s all dramatic rivalries and gimmicky teams—pure shonen energy with a soccer ball.

Developer: Level-5

Genre: Sports RPG

Released: 2008

File size: 149.58 MB

Game Overview

Inazuma Eleven (F) is one of those games that makes soccer feel like an anime battle—because, well, it kinda is. You start off as this scrappy middle school team captain, and suddenly you're recruiting weirdly talented kids (some have flaming hair, naturally) and pulling off over-the-top special moves mid-match. The RPG stuff sneaks up on you—I spent way too long leveling up my striker’s tornado shot when I should’ve been balancing my defense.

Matches play out in this cool hybrid of turn-based strategy and quick button presses for shots or saves. At first, it feels chaotic, but once you get the hang of timing tackles or charging up your super shots, it clicks. Also, the story’s surprisingly cheesy in the best way—like a Saturday morning cartoon where every rival team has a gimmick (ninjas? pirates? sure, why not).

If you ever wanted to yell “FIRE TORNADO!” at your DS screen, this is your game.