J. League Pro Striker 2 is one of those Genesis soccer games that actually feels good to play—no clunky controls or weird hit detection. You pick a team from Japan’s old-school league (the uniforms alone are worth it), and right away, the passing is crisp, the shots have weight, and the keepers aren’t totally brain-dead.

It’s not as flashy as FIFA, but the speed’s just right—not too arcadey, not too slow. I remember getting wrecked the first few matches because I kept sprinting the whole time (bad idea). The replays after goals are a nice touch, and the crowd noise somehow makes even a 16-bit match feel kinda intense.

If you dig retro sports games, this one holds up way better than most. Just don’t expect fancy commentary or 100 moves—it’s pure, straightforward soccer with just enough depth to keep you adjusting tactics.