Pelé's Soccer is an Atari 2600 game based on the famous footballer Pelé, and published in 1980. It features basic graphics, realistic (for that time) ball-handing and goal-keeping techniques using the Atari joystick.
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It's a pretty decent soccer game for the 2600, I remember enjoying it quite a bit when I was a kid. This game's solution to the problem of controlling multiple players is that you move 3 players around in a locked triangle formation. This can be pretty janky but it leads to some strategic play.
I'm impressed by how modular and customizable each gameplay element is. With a matrix of 40 gamemodes you can adjust the time limit, size of the goal, CPU skill level, and all sorts of other stuff. I didn't have time to play all of them but the one I picked felt pretty balanced.
International Soccer is still my favorite of the 3 Atari soccer games I've played, but this was a solid early attempt. It understands its limitations and delivers the best it can within those limits. I think I like it better than RealSports Soccer.
I'm impressed by how modular and customizable each gameplay element is. With a matrix of 40 gamemodes you can adjust the time limit, size of the goal, CPU skill level, and all sorts of other stuff. I didn't have time to play all of them but the one I picked felt pretty balanced.
International Soccer is still my favorite of the 3 Atari soccer games I've played, but this was a solid early attempt. It understands its limitations and delivers the best it can within those limits. I think I like it better than RealSports Soccer.