J.League Dynamite Soccer 64 is one of those N64 soccer games that flew under the radar outside Japan, which is a shame because it’s way more fun than it has any right to be. The second you boot it up, you’re hit with that late-90s J.League aesthetic—bright colors, chunky player models, and team banners waving in the stands. It’s got all the clubs from the era, so if you’ve got a soft spot for Kashima Antlers or Urawa Reds, this is your jam.

Gameplay’s surprisingly solid—passing feels crisp, and there’s just enough arcadey flair to keep it from being a total sim. The AI actually puts up a fight, too; I remember getting wrecked the first time I tried playing on the higher difficulties because defenders actually close you down instead of just standing there. And yeah, the graphics were decent for the time, but let’s be real, you’re here for the chaotic 4-player matches where someone inevitably spams slide tackles.

If you’ve ever wondered what a Japanese take on FIFA would’ve looked like in the N64 days, this is basically it—fast, a little rough around the edges, but weirdly addictive once you get into it.