Soccer Kid Collection is a remastered package of the MS-DOS and SNES games from the 90s. I admit that this game passed me by, but now I get to enjoy the precision platformer in all its retro glory. It is vibrant, pixelated, and tough. The high-demand platforming, simple design, and repetitive elements piqued my interest. However, if you like a modern edge, this won’t be for you. Limited checkpoints, basic monsters, and a slower approach make this a divisive game amongst modern gamers.
This side-scrolling pixelated platformer was developed and published by QUByte Interactive. It is a single-player title that pushes your buttons. With a football to attack your foes and tight jumping elements, you will fail often. Additionally, with limited checkpoints, you’ll struggle to progress. However, this challenging gameplay is oddly rewarding once you make it through each stage.
Soccer Kid Collection tells a strange story.
The 90s were renowned for their absurd stories, and luckily, Soccer Kid Collection doesn’t buck this trend. You play the role of Soccer Kid, a young football enthusiast who won’t let a minor intergalactic incident ruin the football tournament. An alien pirate has stolen the World Cup and smashed it into pieces. Accordingly, you do whatever you can to collect each fragment and save the day.
The footballing element of the game is extremely loose. If you have never heard of the franchise, you may think it was a sports title. Instead, it has basic physics-based ball mechanics, tough platforming, and fast-moving monsters to destroy. En route, you’ll find basic collectables and other simple elements to keep you entertained. Many of these could be avoided, but in typical retro fashion, they add minor depth to the infuriating action.
Modern audiences and dated appeal.
I love a decent remaster, but they don’t always sit well with modern audiences. Sadly, Soccer Kid Collection produces some cultural stereotypes that fall painfully flat. This wasn’t entirely problematic, but you may grimace at some of the off-colour elements. I preferred the authenticity, and I’d have been annoyed had this been censored. However, I appreciate why the tone, imagery, or context may miss the mark.
Thankfully, you are free to experience both versions of the game simultaneously. This lets you master the ball-controlling mechanic regardless of the backdrop or rough visuals. This clunky design wasn’t perfect, but when you have loads of monsters and bosses to tackle, practice makes perfect.
Soccer Kid Collection is rough but filled with nostalgia.
If you are looking for a dated experience, Soccer Kid Collection will tick that box. The vibrant colours, pixelated aesthetic, and simple sprites embody the 90s. Moreover, the basic backdrop, refined animation, and clunky movement lean toward a bygone era.
This delivers an array of catchy tunes that’ll get stuck in your head. The upbeat chiptune design lacks depth, but I didn’t care. Its upbeat nature was fun to listen to, and it captures the early ’90s vibes perfectly. The shrill sound effects are somewhat basic, but they match each action perfectly. Although it is a little repetitive, it matters not. The audio generates a fun and energetic vibe that can’t be beaten.
Clunky controls.
Learning to master the single core mechanic can often be frustrating. Kicking the ball lacks finesse, and timing your attacks was challenging. Yet, once you get to grips with things and remember the path of each foe, things become much easier. However, with precision at its core, you never truly feel comfortable with the demands you face.
Replay value is understandably limited. Yes, there are 2 versions of the game, but this doesn’t offer enough to instantly draw you back in. Consequently, you have to love precision platformers to return for more.
Soccer Kid Collection relies on retro love.
If you do not like retro games, you’ll want to avoid Soccer Kid Collection. Its dated design and aesthetic are enough to put off modern gamers. Moreover, its layers of precision will drive you mad. However, if you adore old-school games and everything they offer, this will pique your interest. Accordingly, I recommend it if you love the genre, and you should buy it here! Can you save the football tournament? Master the ball, hit each platform, and rescue the World Cup!
