FIFA Soccer '97 on Game Boy is one of those old-school sports games that somehow makes tiny pixelated players feel like they’ve got real weight to them. You’ve got basic controls—pass, shoot, sprint—but the real charm is in the little animations when someone scores or gets tackled. The commentary text is hilariously minimal ("GOAL!"), and the overhead view means you’re constantly nudging players just right to intercept passes.

It’s not as deep as the console versions, obviously, but there’s something satisfying about squeezing a full match into a handheld. The teams are all here (with slightly mangled names due to licensing), and the chiptune crowd noises somehow make it feel bigger than it is. Just don’t expect fancy dribbling—this is pure, straightforward '90s soccer.

Still holds up if you’re nostalgic for the era or just want a no-frills football fix.