Play Tecmo World Cup Soccer (Japan) Online

Game Overview

Man, Tecmo World Cup Soccer on the NES is one of those games that looks basic at first glance—until you actually play it. The overhead view makes it feel like you're moving chess pieces at first, but after a few matches, you start pulling off these ridiculous long shots that somehow curve into the top corner. The physics are janky in the best way possible—balls ping off defenders at wild angles, and sometimes your striker just faceplants mid-sprint for no reason.

Picking Japan as your team feels like hard mode since their players are tiny compared to, say, Germany’s giants, but it’s weirdly satisfying when you outmaneuver them with quick passes. The crowd noise is just this tinny loop of cheers, and the ref’s whistle sounds like a toy, but that’s part of the charm. You’ll either love how chaotic it is or rage-quit after your goalie decides to walk out of the net at the worst possible moment.

It’s not polished, but that’s why it’s still fun—like playing soccer on a tabletop where the rules are made up and the ball has a mind of its own.