World Cup Soccer on the Sega Genesis is one of those old-school sports games that somehow nails the chaotic energy of actual soccer without overcomplicating things. You pick a national team—Brazil, Germany, whoever—and dive straight into matches that feel faster and rougher than you’d expect. The players slide-tackle like maniacs, the ball pings around unpredictably, and before long you’re yelling at the screen over a last-minute equalizer.

It’s not fancy by today’s standards, but there’s something satisfying about how immediate it all feels. No menus, no fuss—just pick a side and go. The AI isn’t exactly genius, but it’ll punish you if you just sprint forward mindlessly. And yeah, the commentary is basically just a guy shouting "GOAL!" but somehow that adds to the charm.

If you’ve got nostalgia for 16-bit sports games, this one holds up better than most. Just don’t expect FIFA.