ISS '99 on Game Boy Color is one of those old-school soccer games that somehow made tiny pixel players feel like they had real weight and momentum. The controls are simple—pass, shoot, sprint—but matches get surprisingly tense, especially when you’re down a goal in the last few minutes. The graphics are obviously limited, but the animations have this weirdly satisfying snap to them, like when a striker connects just right for a volley.

It’s not as deep as modern FIFA, but there’s something charming about how straightforward it is. Pick a national team, tweak your formation (I always went 4-4-2), and just play. No skill moves, no microtransactions—just you and the ref’s shrill whistle. If you’re into retro sports games, this one’s still a solid time.