FIFA International Soccer (Japan)

Before you start a match, you will need to choose sides from a list of international teams. Since this is the Japanese version, the menus are in Japanese, so you might need to rely on the order of the teams or muscle memory from other soccer games. Once the match begins, you control a single player at a time using the D-pad to move around the pitch and the A button to kick or clear the ball. The core loop is simple: win possession, pass to open teammates, and fire shots toward the goal while the opposing team does the same to you.

Matches are timed and follow standard soccer rules, though the on-screen presentation is basic compared to modern titles. There is no career mode or deep management; you simply pick a team and play a standalone game. Learning to time your passes and shots is key, as the ball physics can feel a bit loose. If you want a quick taste of early handheld soccer, jump straight into a game after selecting your squad.