Nihon Daiyou Soccer is one of those Game Boy sports games that somehow nails the simplicity of early handheld soccer. The pixelated players move in that charmingly stiff way, and the controls are basic—pass, shoot, sprint—but matches still get surprisingly tense. I remember thinking it’d be a breeze until the AI started pulling off sneaky counterattacks.

There’s no fancy commentary or flashy animations, just you, a tiny green pitch, and that satisfying *blip* sound when you score. It’s definitely a product of its time, but if you’re into retro sports games, this one’s got a weirdly addictive rhythm. Just don’t expect modern FIFA—this is more about quick, arcade-y matches where a last-minute goal feels like a miracle.

Perfect for short bursts between bus rides or pretending you’re a 90s kid with a Game Boy wedged under your desk during class. The nostalgia hits hard with this one.