View source for Software:International Superstar Soccer 64

{{short description|1997 association football video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title        = International Superstar Soccer 64
|image        = International Superstar Soccer 64 Coverart.png
|caption      = European Nintendo 64 cover art
|developer    = [[Company:Konami#Former subsidiaries|Konami Computer Entertainment Osaka]]
|publisher    = Konami
|composer     = Tsutomu Ogura<br>Harumi Ueko
|series       = ''International Superstar Soccer''
|genre        = [[Software:Sports game|Sports]]
|modes        = Single-player, [[Software:Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
|platforms    = [[Engineering:Nintendo 64|Nintendo 64]]
|released     = {{vgrelease|JP|December 20, 1996 (''Jikkyō J.League Perfect Striker'')|PAL|June 1, 1997|NA|August 22, 1997<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Erica |date=August 22, 1997 |url=http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,0-1073,00.html |title=On the Shelves This Week |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817193405/http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,0-1073,00.html |archive-date=August 17, 2000 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 5, 2021}}</ref>|JP|September 18, 1997 (''Jikkyō World Soccer 3'')}}
}}

'''''International Superstar Soccer 64''''' (officially abbreviated as '''''ISS 64''''', originally released in Japan as {{nihongo foot|'''''Jikkyō J.League Perfect Striker'''''|実況 Ｊリーグ パーフェクトストライカー|Jikkyō J Rīgu Pāfekuto Sutoraikā|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} and then later adapted as {{nihongo foot|'''''Jikkyō World Soccer 3'''''|実況 ワールドサッカー 3|Jikkyō Wārudo Sakkā 3|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}) is a [[Engineering:Video game|video game]] developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Osaka in the ''International Superstar Soccer'' series by [[Company:Konami|Konami]]. Its team lineup follows the Super NES version of ''International Superstar Soccer Deluxe'', only with South Africa replacing Morocco.

''International Superstar Soccer 64'' was met with critical acclaim, and often called one of the best of the Nintendo 64's third-party releases.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Foto+International+Superstar+Soccer+64.jpg|left|thumb|A screenshot of International Superstar Soccer 64 gameplay, showing a Germany-France match.]]
The game is similar to the PlayStation version (including the same player names, with the exception of Japan, England and a handful of American players), but with some teams having a more inaccurate home or away kit. The USA, for example, uses their 1994 World Cup Adidas "stripes" kit as their home kit and their then-current Nike home kit as their away kit. Gameplay is similar to that of the Super NES predecessor, ''[[Software:International Superstar Soccer Deluxe|International Superstar Soccer Deluxe]]'', upgraded for the Nintendo 64 with 3D animation. While it keeps largely the same team squads (with the teams now sporting near-authentic kits), South Africa debuted in this game as a selectable side, replacing Morocco. However, the Japanese version has teams that are not present in the Western versions: Bolivia, Yugoslavia, Iran, Australia, Canada and Saudi Arabia.

There are six game modes, including single match, league battle and penalty shoot-out.<ref name=NGen26>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_26/page/n107/mode/2up |title=NG Alphas: J-League Perfect Striker |magazine=Next Generation |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=26 |date=February 1997 |page=104 |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref> The player can assign a team member to cover a specific member of the opposing team.<ref name=NGen26/> The International Cup has the player competing against a range of teams from around the world in a round-robin tournament, while the World League is a series of 70 matches against every one of other teams in the game.

The player can also contest a penalty shoot-out competition with up to 4 players or attempt to complete certain scenarios. These matches are set up with a specific goal—for example, scoring a goal within a given time limit or stopping the opposing team from scoring.

==Teams==

{{Colbegin}}
*{{fb|GER}}
*{{fb|FRA|1974}}
*{{fb|ITA}}
*{{fb|SUI}}
*{{fb|NOR}}
*{{fb|DEN}}
*{{fb|SWE}}
*{{fb|ESP}}
*{{fb|POR}}
*{{fb|NED}}
*{{fb|ENG}}
*{{fb|RUS}}
*{{fb|CRO}}
*{{fb|ROU}}
*{{fb|BUL}}
*{{fb|CZE}}
*{{fb|JPN}}
*{{fb|KOR}}
*{{fb|TUR}}
*{{fb|CMR}}
*{{fb|NGA}}
*{{fb|RSA}}
*{{fb|BRA}}
*{{fb|ARG}}
*{{fb|COL}}
*{{fb|MEX}}
*{{fb|URU}}
*{{fb|USA}}
'''USA/European version exclusive'''
*{{fb|BEL}} 
*{{fb|AUT}} 
*{{fb|GRE}} 
*{{fb|WAL}} 
*{{fb|SCO}} 
*{{fb|IRL}} 
*{{fb|NIR}} 
*{{fb|POL}} 
'''Japanese version exclusive'''
*{{fb|IRN}} 
*{{fb|KSA}} 
*{{fb|UAE}} 
*{{fb|PAR}} 
*{{fb|BOL}} 
*{{fb|CAN}} 
*{{fb|SCG|name=Yugoslavia}} 
*{{fb|AUS}}
{{colend}}

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 89%<ref name=GR>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197641-international-superstar-soccer-64/index.html |title=International Superstar Soccer 64 for Nintendo 64 |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505150940/https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197641-international-superstar-soccer-64/index.html |archive-date=May 5, 2019 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
| CNG = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Lombardi |first=Doug |date=September 25, 1997 |url=http://gamecenter.com/Consoles/Nintendo/Isoccer/ |title=International Superstar Soccer 64 |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000823205052/http://gamecenter.com/Consoles/Nintendo/Isoccer/ |archive-date=August 23, 2000 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 19, 2021}}</ref>
| Edge = 9/10<ref name=Edge>{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |url=https://archive.org/details/edgeuk042/page/n67/mode/2up |title=J-League Perfect Striker [sic] |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=42 |date=February 1997 |pages=80–81 |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>
| EGM = 9.25/10<ref name=EGM96>{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=Team EGM Sports: International Superstar Soccer 64 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=96 |date=July 1997 |page=114}}</ref>
| Fam = (P.S.) 32/40<ref name=Fam1>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=14491&redirect=no |title=実況Jリーグ パーフェクトストライカー [NINTENDO64] |language=ja |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref><br />(WS3) 31/40<ref name=Fam2>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=14505&redirect=no |title=実況ワールドサッカー3 [NINTENDO64] |language=ja |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
| GI = 9/10<ref name=GI>{{cite magazine |last1=McNamara |first1=Andy |last2=Storm |first2=Jon |last3=Anderson |first3=Paul |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/july97/soccer.html |title=International Superstar Soccer [64] |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=[[Company:GameStop|FuncoLand]] |issue=51 |date=July 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971021142822/http://www.gameinformer.com/july97/soccer.html |archive-date=October 21, 1997 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>
| GameFan = 96%<ref>{{cite magazine |author1=Joe Kidd |author2=Jacques Strap |url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_5_Issue_07/page/n87/mode/2up |title=International Superstar Soccer 64 [game misidentified as "International Superstar Soccer Pro for Sony PlayStation"] |magazine=GameFan |publisher=Metropolis Media |volume=5 |issue=7 |date=July 1997 |page=86 |access-date=July 19, 2021}}</ref>{{efn|In ''GameFan''{{'}}s viewpoint of the game, one critic gave it a score of 95, and the other 97.}}
| GamePro = 17/20<ref name=GPro107/>
| GameRev = B+<ref>{{cite web |author=Colin |date=September 1997 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32562-international-su-review |title=International Superstar Soccer 64 Review |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980613201000/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/n64/isoccer.htm |archive-date=June 13, 1998 |url-status=live |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>
| Hyper = 94%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Toose |first=Dan |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/e/ed/Hyper_AU_047.pdf |title=International Superstar Soccer 64 |magazine=Hyper |publisher=Next Media Pty Ltd |issue=47 |date=September 1997 |pages=46–47 |access-date=July 19, 2021}}</ref>
| N64 = 92%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Weaver |first=Tim |title=International Superstar Soccer 64 (PAL) |magazine=N64 Magazine |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=3 |date=June 1997 |pages=30–36}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ashton |first=James |url=http://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-478-63.jpg |title=ISS 64 (US Version) |magazine=N64 Magazine |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=7 |date=October 1997 |page=63 |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref><br />(WS3) 91%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Weaver |first=Tim |url=http://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-479-62.jpg |title=Jikkyou World Soccer 3 |magazine=N64 Magazine |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=8 |date=November 1997 |page=62 |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref><br />(P.S.) 89%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Weaver |first=Tim |title=J-League Perfect Striker [sic] |magazine=N64 Magazine |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=1 |date=April 1997 |pages=78–80}}</ref>
| NGen = (US) {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=NGen32>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_32/page/n113/mode/2up |title=GOOOALLL! (''International Superstar Soccer'' Review) |magazine=Next Generation |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=32 |date=August 1997 |page=113 |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref><br />(JP) {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=NGen30>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_30/page/n113/mode/2up |title=J-League Perfect Striker [sic] (Japan) |magazine=Next Generation |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=30 |date=June 1997 |page=112 |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
| NP = 3.75/5<ref name=NP>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-440-97.jpg |title=International Superstar Soccer 64 |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=[[Company:Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] |volume=98 |date=July 1997 |page=97 |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>
}}

The game was a commercial success, selling over 1 million units in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schneider |first1=Peer |title=International Superstar Soccer '98 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/11/05/international-superstar-soccer-98 |website=IGN |access-date=28 April 2023 |date=5 November 1998}}</ref>

The game met with critical acclaim in Japan.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Preview: International Superstar Soccer |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=104 |date=May 1997 |page=112}}</ref> In an interview around the time of the game's release in the region, Shigeru Miyamoto said that "Konami's soccer game may be better than [Nintendo's N64] games. It looks really good."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ogasawara |first=Ken |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_092_March_1997/page/n42 |title=Nintendo 64: An Expert's View |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=102 |date=March 1997 |page=41}}</ref> ''Edge'' said that the Japanese import was "the most versatile and entertaining football game seen on any platform, and forms a strong addition to Nintendo's 64bit [sic] portfolio."<ref name=Edge/> ''GamePro'' said that ''Striker'' "ranks as the best soccer game for the Japanese N64 and quite possibly one of the best soccer titles in Japan. If you own a Japanese N64, ''Striker''{{'}}s worth a kick-off."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ogasawara |first=Ken |url=http://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-1850-106.jpg |title=[Jikkyou J.League] Perfect Striker |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=104 |date=May 1997 |page=106 |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>{{efn|''GamePro'' gave the Japanese import three 4/5 scores for graphics, sound, and control, and 4.5/5 for fun factor.}} ''Next Generation'' said that the same Japanese import "goes farther than most titles in presenting a fantastic look and feel. Just make sure you have a few friends around to play it, otherwise you'll tire from 10-3 wins real quick."<ref name=NGen30/> ''Famitsu'' gave it a score of 32 out of 40 for ''Perfect Striker'',<ref name=Fam1/> and 31 out of 40 for ''World Soccer 3''.<ref name=Fam2/>

The North American version received favorable reviews, according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. ''Game Informer'' gave it universal acclaim, and ''Nintendo Power'' gave it a favorable review, over one month before the game was released Stateside.<ref name=GI/><ref name=NP/> Several critics noted that the A.I. in the game was dramatically improved from the Japanese version.{{efn|<ref name=Schneider/><ref name=NGen32/><ref name=proudof/>}} Most said ''International Superstar Soccer 64'' was better than the Nintendo 64's previous soccer game, ''FIFA Soccer 64'',{{efn|<ref name=GSrev/><ref name=NGen32/><ref name=proudof/><ref name=GPro107/>}} and Kraig Kujawa of ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' went so far as to call it "without a doubt, the best soccer game on the market".<ref name=EGM96/> ''GamePro'' was one of the few to voice criticisms with the game, specifically the music and the use of fictional players, but called it "an arcade-ish experience that, while not as realistic as ''FIFA'', ranks much higher on the fun scale."<ref name=GPro107>{{cite magazine |author=Air Hendrix |url=http://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-1853-78.jpg |title=Konami's SuperStar Soccer Outshines FIFA |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=107 |date=August 1997 |page=78 |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>

The most often cited strengths of the game included a variety of gameplay modes;{{efn|<ref name=EGM96/><ref name=GSrev/><ref name=proudof/><ref name=GPro107/>}} the wide range of moves that the players can execute;{{efn|<ref name=GSrev/><ref name=Schneider/><ref name=NGen32/><ref name=GPro107/>}} the graceful, lifelike player animations;{{efn|<ref name=EGM96/><ref name=GSrev/><ref name=Schneider/><ref name=NGen32/><ref name=proudof/><ref name=GPro107/>}} and the controls, particularly the tight responsiveness and strong implementation of the Nintendo 64 controller's analog joystick.{{efn|<ref name=EGM96/><ref name=GSrev/><ref name=Schneider/><ref name=NGen32/><ref name=proudof/><ref name=GPro107/>}} However, most critics found it difficult to cover all of the game's positive elements. For example, ''Next Generation'' commented, "Details like refs of varying skill, different weather conditions, real stadiums, and attitude give even more depth to a game that gets just about everything right."<ref name=NGen32/> Peer Schneider of ''IGN'' (then known as ''N64.com'') gave strong praise to ''International Superstar Soccer 64''{{'}}s multiplayer modes.<ref name=proudof>{{cite web |url=http://www.n64.com/thin/reviews/1996.html |title=International Superstar Soccer 64 Review |website=N64.com |publisher=Independent |date=September 3, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980129044423/http://www.n64.com/thin/reviews/1996.html |archive-date=January 29, 1998 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 10, 2016}}</ref> He later published a longer review which covered a few criticisms, such as the lack of a FIFA license, but also commented more extensively on the game's strong attention to detail, and reemphasized that "As far as multiplayer games go, ISS64 has replaced ''[[Software:Mario Kart 64|Mario Kart 64]]'', ''[[Software:Star Fox 64|Star Fox 64]]'' and ''[[Software:Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey|Wayne Gretzky]]'' as the ultimate gameplay experience."<ref name=Schneider/> Glenn Rubenstein of ''GameSpot'' said that it "offers just about everything ''FIFA 64'' did. It just does it slightly better."<ref name=GSrev/>

Just a few months after the game's North American release, ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' ranked it the 24th best console video game of all time, commenting that "The gameplay is awesome, appealing to both hardcore and casual fans of the sport. The graphics are the best of any sports game, as the attention to detail in the player animations is amazing. ... No soccer game comes close to this one."<ref>{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=100 Best Games of All Time |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=100 |date=November 1997 |page=146}} Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article (on page 100) explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.</ref> In its 1997 Editors' Choice Awards, ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' also named ''International Superstar Soccer 64'' "Sports Game of the Year" and a runner-up for "Nintendo 64 Game of the Year" (behind ''[[Software:GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|GoldenEye 007]]'').<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Editors' Choice Awards |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=104 |date=March 1998 |pages=87–88}}</ref> ''Official Nintendo Magazine'' ranked it the 81st best game available on Nintendo platforms.<ref>{{cite web |last=East |first=Tom |date=February 17, 2009 |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/7188/features/100-best-nintendo-games-part-one/ |title=Nintendo Feature: 100 Best Nintendo Games: Part One |website=Official Nintendo Magazine |publisher=Future plc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414111615/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/7188/features/100-best-nintendo-games-part-one/ |archive-date=April 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 5, 2013}}</ref> The game won the award for "Console Sports Game of the Year" at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' inaugural Interactive Achievement Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm |title=The Award - Winners |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090115/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm |archive-date=June 15, 1998 |access-date=November 3, 2021}}</ref>

==''Mundial Ronaldinho Soccer 64''==
The intro of a Peruvian bootleg version of the game intended for the Brazilian market, entitled ''Mundial Ronaldinho Soccer 64'', became a popular [[Social:Internet meme|Internet meme]] in 2020.<ref name=RushArena>{{cite web |last=Cardozo |first=Daniel |date=May 18, 2020 |work=Rush Arena |language=Portuguese |title=De onde surgiu o meme Ronaldinho Soccer 64 |trans-title=Where the Ronaldinho Soccer 64 meme came from |url=https://rusharena.com.br/de-onde-surgiu-o-meme-ronaldinho-soccer-64/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401215250/https://rusharena.com.br/de-onde-surgiu-o-meme-ronaldinho-soccer-64/ |archive-date=April 1, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> The bootleg, made by Peruvian programmer Lobsang "Mr. Byte" Alvites,<ref name=Vice>{{cite web |last=Azevedo |first=Rafael Luis |date=November 12, 2018 |work=Vice |language=Portuguese |title=O cara que produziu os games piratas de 'International Superstar Soccer' |trans-title=The face behind the pirated versions of 'International Superstar Soccer' |url=https://www.vice.com/pt/article/nepv8m/o-cara-que-produziu-os-games-piratas-de-international-superstar-soccer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108124021/https://www.vice.com/pt/article/nepv8m/o-cara-que-produziu-os-games-piratas-de-international-superstar-soccer |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> changed the announcer's language to [[Social:Portuguese language|Portuguese]] (although the commentator actually speaks a mix of Peruvian Spanish (see Portuñol) and Japanese).<ref name=RushArena/> Named after Ronaldo Nazário (who was known as "Ronaldinho" in his early international career and should not be confused with Ronaldinho, who in Brazil was given the demonym "Gaúcho" to differentiate from Ronaldo), the title screen uses poorly-edited photos of him.<ref name="RushArena" /> It replaces the fictional names of the players with real-life counterparts (with Ronaldo's name overwriting that of striker "Allejo"), albeit with errors on some, such as Alan Shearer's name being misspelled as "Schearer".<ref name="Vice" />

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/n64/international-superstar-soccer-64}}

{{International Superstar Soccer/Pro Evolution Soccer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:International Superstar Soccer 64}}
[[Category:Internet memes]]

{{Sourceattribution|International Superstar Soccer 64|1}}