J.League Tactics Soccer is one of those N64 soccer games that flew under the radar outside Japan, but it’s way more interesting than your typical arcade-style kickabout. At first glance, it looks like a standard football sim—until you realize it’s basically chess with cleats. You’re not just controlling players; you’re plotting passes three moves ahead, adjusting formations on the fly, and praying your midfielders don’t gas out before the 70th minute.

The J.League teams are all here with their real rosters from the late ‘90s, which is either nostalgia gold or a deep dive into Japanese football history, depending on how much of a purist you are. The graphics are decent for the N64—expect blocky faces but surprisingly smooth animations when your striker nails a volley. Just don’t go in expecting FIFA-level polish; the charm’s in the slower, more deliberate pace. You’ll spend as much time tweaking tactics as you do actually playing matches.

It’s the kind of game where losing 1-0 feels like your fault, not the AI’s—and that’s weirdly satisfying. If you’ve ever wanted to overthink soccer like it’s a wartime campaign, this is your jam.