J.League Eleven Beat 1997 is one of those N64 soccer games that flew under the radar outside Japan, but it’s got this weirdly satisfying arcade feel to it. The graphics are blocky by today’s standards, sure, but the animations are smooth—players actually stumble when they get tackled instead of just falling over like planks. And the controls? Surprisingly responsive for an early N64 sports title.

You pick from all the classic J.League teams (Verdy Kawasaki fans, this is your moment), tweak formations, and then it’s straight into matches that feel faster than FIFA but not as chaotic as ISS. The commentary’s all in Japanese, obviously, but the crowd chants and referee whistles give it this authentic late-’90s vibe. First time I played, I accidentally scored off a wild deflection and the keeper just stood there staring at the net like he couldn’t believe it either.

If you’re into retro sports games, this one’s a solid time capsule of Japanese soccer culture.