Captain Tsubasa Vol. II: Super Striker is that weird, kinda janky NES soccer RPG where your players level up like they’re in a JRPG instead of just running drills. You’ve got stats, special moves, and a story mode that feels more like an anime than a sports sim—which makes sense, since it’s based on one.

First few minutes? You’re picking your team, watching little cutscenes of dramatic soccer plays, and realizing the controls are… unique. Passing feels stiff at first, but once you pull off a wild overhead kick or a sliding tackle that sends the opponent flying, it clicks. The game’s got charm, even if the mechanics are rough around the edges.

It’s definitely a product of its time, but if you’re into retro sports games with RPG flavor, this one’s a weird little gem.