20: Sensible Soccer

Number 20
(180 points)
Sensible Soccer
1993: 1 (40.0)
1994: 1 (60.0)
1995: 1 (80.0)

An amazing achievement: Sensi hit the number one spot three times in a row. Why is it only number 20 on this list? Mostly because it was completely missing from the 1996 list (SWOS took its place, while they both featured on the 1995 list), and of course it couldn't have been included on the first two lists due to when it was released. Clearly Sensi and SWOS are similar yet different, but in hindsight, which is the best?

Sensible Soccer was notable for many reasons, but the decision to use small player graphics to give a wider view of the pitch was a good decision. The game is fast, passing is simple - the ball homing in on the nearest player - and the game uses aftertouch to give you excellent ball control, with practice. You can choose from a huge amount of national and club teams, and even a number of custom teams, and you can edit the names of all players and teams. Add to this the ability to make any tournament you like, and Sensible Soccer was the best pure arcade football game around.

I've chosen version 1.2 in my TOSEC selection below, as it was the last version available, but any version is worth playing. I know I played it extensively, both the original version on a real Amiga, and an updated version on an actual CD32 - which is where I actually fell in love with it. I still have to rate SWOS higher, just due to the management options and the massive team selection, but they're both stone-cold classics.

Recommended TOSEC disk(s):
Sensible Soccer - International Edition v1.2 (1994-04-21)(Renegade)(M4)(Disk 1 of 2)[cr PDX]
Sensible Soccer - International Edition v1.2 (1994-04-21)(Renegade)(M4)(Disk 2 of 2)[cr PDX]