Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

World Cup 98 builds on the solid foundation of the FIFA 98: Road to World Cup engine, introducing smoother passing, sharper player positioning, and an improved goalkeeper AI that reacts more realistically to through balls and shots. The on-the-fly management system allows you to tweak formations and issue tactical instructions without pausing the match, keeping the flow of play uninterrupted. As a result, matches feel faster and more dynamic, demanding both quick thinking on the pitch and strategic foresight on the sidelines.

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One of the standout features is the fully licensed tournament structure. You can play with the actual groups drawn in France ’98, randomize them for fresh challenges, or create your own custom pools mixing the 32 qualified nations with the eight “near-miss” teams that never made it. This flexibility extends into the knockout rounds, where the shootout practice mode and training matches give you the chance to sharpen your penalty-taking nerves before the high-stakes games.

Beyond the main tournament, World Cup 98 introduces the “Classics” mode—eight legendary World Cup finals unlocked sequentially as you conquer each one. This retrospective journey through football history adds depth, letting you relive the drama of iconic matches, from glorious upsets to nail-biting shootouts. Combined with friendlies and training scenarios, the variety of play modes ensures high replay value, whether you’re guiding Brazil to glory or scripting a Cinderella run for a dark-horse side.

Graphics

For its time, World Cup 98 delivers impressively detailed stadiums, faithfully recreating all ten tournament venues—from the Stade de France in Saint-Denis to Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome. Each ground features unique crowd colors, banners, and pitch textures that transport you straight into the tournament atmosphere. The dynamic lighting and subtle weather effects help differentiate a sunny Paris day from a rain-soaked Nantes fixture.

Player models sport accurate “look-a-like” kits and authentic team badges, reinforcing the official licensing. While polygon counts are modest by modern standards, character animations are fluid: defenders slide in with conviction, strikers send the net bulging, and goalkeepers perform realistic dives. The kit colors and player hairstyles capture national identities, making it easy to spot your favorite stars even in a crowded penalty area.

The presentation extends to crisp on-screen graphics—clean scoreboard overlays, realistic goal replays, and responsive camera cuts that highlight tense moments such as last-minute free kicks or penalty shootouts. Menus are intuitive, with clear icons for team selection, match setup, and the in-game editor. This polish ensures you spend more time playing and less time navigating complicated options.

Story

Although World Cup 98 isn’t a narrative-driven title in the traditional sense, it offers a compelling sporting storyline through its authentic tournament progression. Beginning in the group stage, you guide your chosen nation through dramatic matches, striving to emerge from a tough pool and avoid elimination. Each victory builds momentum, crafting your own “underdog-to-champion” tale as you advance to the knockout rounds.

The Classics mode deepens the story element by revisiting eight memorable finals from World Cups past. Unlocking each final feels like cracking open a football history book: you face the fabled matchups, armed only with the rosters and tactics of the era. Winning these games not only earns bragging rights but also highlights how football tactics and team strengths evolved over time.

Customization options—such as editing player names, attributes, and even team affiliations—allow you to write alternative histories. Fancy seeing an emerging nation lift the trophy or updating a star’s rating for a retro dream team? The built-in editor makes it possible, weaving your personalized storyline into the broader World Cup tapestry.

Overall Experience

World Cup 98 captures the zeitgeist of France ’98 with an engaging blend of arcade accessibility and strategic depth. The licensed teams, authentic stadiums, and improved AI combine to create a genuine tournament atmosphere. Whether you’re a casual player seeking quick matchups or a dedicated manager plotting complex tactics, the game delivers satisfying results on both fronts.

The variety of modes—official tournament, Classics finals, friendlies, and training—ensures that you always have a new challenge or goal to pursue. The editor adds another layer of longevity, catering to football purists eager to fine-tune every player statistic. Matches can swing wildly, keeping you on the edge of your seat, and the unlocking of historical finals provides a rewarding sense of progression.

Decades on, World Cup 98 remains a nostalgic landmark in football gaming. Its clean visuals, responsive controls, and faithful representation of the world’s biggest football tournament make it a must-try for fans of the sport and retro gamers alike. If you’re looking to relive the excitement of France ’98 or discover classic World Cup lore in interactive form, this title stands as a worthy pick.

Retro Replay Score

8.1/10