International Superstar Soccer on SNES was the first real attempt at making soccer feel like the real thing—well, as close as you could get on a 16-bit console. The isometric view gives it this weirdly satisfying angle, like you're watching from the stands but still controlling everything. Passing feels crisp, and the players actually have weight to them, unlike some arcadey soccer games where everyone just glides around.

It's got all the basics—national teams, tournaments, even substitutions—but what stuck with me was how the ball physics worked. You could actually curl shots, which was mind-blowing at the time. The commentary's hilariously sparse, just a few canned lines, but it adds to the charm. Definitely a step up from the usual SNES sports games.