Software:Sega Soccer Slam

From HandWiki
Short description: 2002 video game
Sega Soccer Slam
North American PS2 cover art
Developer(s)Black Box Games
Publisher(s)Sega
Platform(s)GameCube
Xbox
PlayStation 2
Mobile phone
ReleaseGameCube
Xbox
PlayStation 2
Mobile
July 21, 2003
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Sega Soccer Slam, also known as simply Soccer Slam, is a sports game released for GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2 in 2002.

Gameplay

Sega Soccer Slam is different from traditional sports games in its exaggerated interpretation of soccer. It allows characters to punch one another and eliminates several other rules, such as throw-ins, corner kicks, free kicks, and penalties. Sega Soccer Slam includes an exhibition mode, a challenge mode, a practice mode, a tourney mode, and a quest mode. It also includes two minigames: Hot Potato and Brawl.

Practice mode is a step-by-step instruction of how to play the game, teaching the player maneuvers including steals, passes, shots, dekes, volleys, as well as more complicated moves such as spotlight shot and the killer kick (an incredibly powerful shot that can be accessed when the charge bottom at the bottom of the screen reaches its maximum through doing basic moves). The practice mode is essential for both masters and newcomers to prepare for the exhibition, tourney, challenge and quest parts of the game.

The exhibition mode is similar to that of most other sport games. In it, players are allowed to choose their opponent and team as well as a stadium to play in. They can also play two mini-games with up to four players: Brawl, which is where four of the characters fight against each other, and Hot Potato, a game where passing scores points, but when the ball explodes, anyone in the blast will lose points. Tourney mode is where the player can play in a tournament that lasts for 5 days of each team playing each other at least once through the competition. Challenge mode is when the player creates a custom team and compete in a series of matches to unlock nine secret characters, but each character can only unlock two secret characters.

Other than the gameplay options said above, Sega Soccer Slam also has a quest mode. In quest mode the player chooses one of the starting six teams and then competes in a series of ten games. Through winning these games the player can accumulate money which can be used to buy character art and power-up items. The character wears each item in order to enhance his or her attributes.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GCPS2Xbox
Edge6/10[9]N/AN/A
EGM7.83/10[10][lower-alpha 1]N/AN/A
EurogamerN/AN/A8/10[12]
Famitsu27/40[13]N/AN/A
Game Informer7.5/10[14]N/A7.25/10[15]
GameRevolutionB+[16]N/AB+[17]
GameSpot8.6/10[18]8.3/10[19]8.8/10[20]
GameSpy83%[21]StarStarStarHalf star[22]StarStarStarStarHalf star[23]
IGN8.2/10[24]6/10[25]8.3/10[26]
Nintendo Power3.8/5[27]N/AN/A
Nintendo World Report9/10[28][29]N/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AStarStar[30]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A7.9/10[31]
Aggregate score
Metacritic84/100[6]66/100[7]80/100[8]

The GameCube and Xbox versions received "favorable" reviews, while the PS2 version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6][7][8] AllGame gave the GameCube original three stars out of five, stating, "Outlandish costumes, ridiculous accents, and goofy expressions are wrapped around an intuitive control scheme that offers players the flexibility to perform a variety of moves, without making them complicated to perform."[32] In Japan, where said original was ported for release on September 26, 2002, Famitsu gave it a score of 27 out of 40.[13]

X-Play gave the GameCube original four stars out of five, calling it "the perfect choice for anyone who is looking to have a grand time alone or with friends but doesn't want to play a more serious, realistic sporting game. It's fast, fun, a little bit brutal, and easily one of the best of the latest GameCube titles."[33] Pong Sifu of GamePro's May 2002 issue called the same console version "one of the worthiest additions to your GameCube library that you're going to find for a while."[34][lower-alpha 2] Five issues later, Michael Weigand said, "Even punters of the GameCube version will find a host of new options in this Xbox incarnation—most notably extra players and multiplayer games."[35][lower-alpha 3] Louis Bedigian of GameZone gave the same console version 7.6 out of 10, saying, "Its only real problem is the fact that it isn't a whole lot different from NHL Hitz."[36] However, Carlos McElfish gave the PlayStation 2 version 7.2 out of 10, saying that it "suffers from a blurry visual presentation and occasional slowdown that is not present in the Xbox or GameCube version."[37]

GameSpot put the GameCube version in third place for the Best Game of March 2002,[38] and also named the Xbox version as the Best Xbox Game of September 2002.[39] The game also won the award for "Best Game No One Played on GameCube" at the website's Best and Worst of 2002 Awards,[40] and it was nominated for the "Best Alternative Sports Game on GameCube", "Best Graphics (Artistic) on Xbox", "Best Game No One Played on Xbox", and "Best Alternative Sports Game on Xbox" awards, all of which went to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, Jet Set Radio Future, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, respectively.[41][42][43][44]

Notes

  1. Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the GameCube version each a score of 7.5/10, and the other gave it 8.5/10.
  2. GamePro gave the GameCube version two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.
  3. GamePro gave the Xbox version two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Bramwell, Tom (October 18, 2002). "What's New?". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141020211600/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/article_46854. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  2. "Sega Releases Soccer Slam for GameCube". March 19, 2002. Archived from the original on February 16, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060216001444/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/news/03_19_02_12_32PM.htm. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  3. "Sega Soccer Slam Ships for Xbox". August 20, 2002. Archived from the original on December 18, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051218101445/http://xbox.gamezone.com/news/08_20_02_12_56PM.htm. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  4. Bramwell, Tom (October 25, 2002). "What's New?". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220706025354/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46888. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  5. IGN staff (September 17, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam Ships". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101173843/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/17/sega-soccer-slam-ships. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Sega Soccer Slam critic reviews (GC)". Fandom. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230318120811/https://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/sega-soccer-slam. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Sega Soccer Slam critic reviews (PS2)". Fandom. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190330134126/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/sega-soccer-slam. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Sega Soccer Slam critic reviews (Xbox)". Fandom. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230613212246/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/sega-soccer-slam. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  9. Edge staff (July 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam (GC)". Edge (Future Publishing) (112): 102. 
  10. Hager, Dean; Kim, Jeanne; Sewart, Greg (May 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam (GC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (154): 113. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221114234925/https://retrocdn.net/images/e/e2/EGM_US_154.pdf. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  11. Grant, Jules (April 17, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam (GC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on January 21, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030121032343/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=8745&full=1. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  12. Bramwell, Tom (October 29, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam (Xbox)". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220704225310/https://www.eurogamer.net/r-soccerslam-x. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  13. 13.0 13.1 "セガ サッカースラム [ゲームキューブ"] (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231102211347/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9890&redirect=no. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  14. Kato, Matthew (April 2002). "[Sega Soccer Slam (GC)"]. Game Informer (FuncoLand) (108): 78. Archived from the original on August 27, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040827213013/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200204/R03.0804.1012.14233.htm. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  15. Kato, Matthew (September 2002). "[Sega Soccer Slam (Xbox)"]. Game Informer (FuncoLand) (113): 88. Archived from the original on November 15, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041115001427/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200209/R03.0801.1602.37356.htm. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  16. G-Wok (April 2002). "[Sega Soccer Slam Review (GC)"]. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924054146/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/soccer-slam. Retrieved April 12, 2020. 
  17. G-Wok (September 2002). "[Sega Soccer Slam - Xbox Review"]. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on February 12, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040212032010/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/xbox/sports/soccer_slam.htm. Retrieved August 12, 2020. 
  18. Varanini, Giancarlo (March 20, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam Review (GC) [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041205123645/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/sports/segasoccerslam/review.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  19. Varanini, Giancarlo (September 16, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam Review (PS2)". Fandom. Archived from the original on November 10, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041110080322/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/sports/segasoccerslam/review.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  20. Varanini, Giancarlo (September 4, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam Review (Xbox)". Fandom. Archived from the original on November 15, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041115115130/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/sports/segasoccerslam/review.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  21. Sabine, Mike (April 11, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam (GCN)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 14, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050214100001/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/april02/soccerslamgcn/. Retrieved August 11, 2020. 
  22. Steinberg, Steve (November 10, 2002). "GameSpy: SEGA Soccer Slam (PS2)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 4, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070704144949/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/sega-soccer-slam/574033p1.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  23. Steinberg, Steve (October 6, 2002). "GameSpy: SEGA Soccer Slam (Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070609095804/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/sega-soccer-slam/603686p1.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  24. Schneider, Peer (March 15, 2002). "[Sega Soccer Slam Review (GCN)"]. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231226061432/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/03/15/soccer-slam. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  25. Perry, Douglass C. (September 23, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam (PS2)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101173844/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/23/sega-soccer-slam. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  26. Schneider, Peer (August 21, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam Review (Xbox)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101173843/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/21/sega-soccer-slam-review. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  27. "Sega Soccer Slam". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 155: 148. April 2002. 
  28. Kontras, Adam (March 28, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam". NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230901012629/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/3887/sega-soccer-slam-gamecube. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  29. Sklens, Mike (March 31, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam". NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230901012629/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/3888/sega-soccer-slam-gamecube. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  30. Zuniga, Todd (November 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (62): 190. Archived from the original on June 28, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040628211049/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1495401,00.asp. Retrieved November 2, 2024. 
  31. "Sega Soccer Slam". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 108. October 2002. 
  32. Marriott, Scott Alan. "Sega Soccer Slam (GC) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115045014/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=37799&tab=review. Retrieved August 11, 2020. 
  33. D'Aprile, Jason (April 19, 2002). "'[Sega Soccer Slam' (GCN) Review"]. TechTV. Archived from the original on June 6, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020606033313/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3380735,00.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  34. Pong Sifu (May 2002). "Sega's Soccer Slam Kicks Arse! (GC)". GamePro (IDG) (164): 105. Archived from the original on December 22, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041222020407/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/21701.shtml. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  35. Weigand, Michael "Major Mike" (October 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam Review (Xbox)". GamePro (IDG) (169). Archived from the original on January 28, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050128155258/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/25811.shtml. Retrieved August 11, 2020. 
  36. Bedigian, Louis (September 9, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam - XB - Review". Archived from the original on August 13, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070813153830/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19610.htm. Retrieved August 11, 2020. 
  37. McElfish, Carlos (October 17, 2002). "Sega Soccer Slam - PS2 - Review". Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080709014014/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19610.htm. Retrieved August 11, 2020. 
  38. GameSpot staff (April 5, 2002). "Video Game of the Month, March 2002 (Runner-Up, Third Place (Silver))". CNET. Archived from the original on August 13, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030813014957/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/gotm/040502/p2_01.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  39. GameSpot staff (October 5, 2002). "Video Game of the Month, September 2002 (Xbox Game of the Month)". CNET. Archived from the original on September 19, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030919204535/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/100502/p2_01.html. 
  40. GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Game No One Played on GameCube)". CNET. Archived from the original on May 6, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040506173709/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/gc7.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  41. GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Alternative Sports Game on GameCube, Nominees)". CNET. Archived from the original on February 6, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040206182618/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/gc21b.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  42. GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Graphics (Artistic) on Xbox)". CNET. Archived from the original on June 27, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040627081755/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox5.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  43. GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Game No One Played on Xbox)". CNET. Archived from the original on June 27, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040627081036/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox7.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  44. GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Alternative Sports Game on Xbox, Nominees)". CNET. Archived from the original on June 17, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040617164939/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/xbox22.html. Retrieved October 24, 2024. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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