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REVIEW by: Kazooie

Sega soccer slam is a new arcade style soccer game. It plays a lot like the NBA jam series and is very easy to learn and pick up. The action is different from the typical soccer games that have been coming out like fifa iss and more.

Sega's latest Gamecube offering is a slightly futuristic arcade take on what us Brits like to call football and others like to call ''soccer''. Soccer Slam allows you take control of any one of six teams (each with three players plus a goalie) and take part in the fast and furious action that is Sega's take on ''the beautiful game''. Any real comparison to football is quickly forgotten once the game kicks off. Anything goes here, kicks, punches and luckily never a red card in sight.

Action packed!!! This game has some great visuals and the characters are all unique and different in speed, control, and appearance. The character size reminds me of that one hockey game on the nes. Big characters are slow but hit hard and have more power, short characters are fast and have better stealing capability and in-between those people are the all around people. There are actually more stereotypes than that but you get the picture. There is also a variety of ways that you're can play: quest mode, exhibition, practice, and tournament. Of course its pretty much all the same thing... the quest mode reminds me of the mode that was in virtual tennis. You win and you get to buy stuff with the prizes.

Even better though, is the killer kick, which happens when one player boots the ball high and a player goes in the circle that appears on the ground and jumps in the air and shoots an extremely powerful, and again slow-mo shot that again can aim easily. The only bad thing is you need a full power meter to use it and it will drain the entire meter. A good thing about this though, is that even if the keeper saved it him stopping it tires him out and he can't save well, so it is easy to score so performing the killer kick isn't a waste of time and power points if it is blocked (which it will be 25 to 35 percent of the time). You can also do power ups that make your character become stronger, faster and a better shooter. These like the Killer kick, take up the power points in the power point meter.

The graphics in this game are another strong point. The characters are richly animated, the stadiums are shaded and lighted well and respectable weather effects are in place and dare I mention it? Real polygonal crowds. Not that many polygons but it is there. The slow motion effects are also done well, and the instant replays of goals. Basically this game's graphics also remind me a lot of "NBA Street Jam".

The music in this game isn't bad, but it isn't that catchy. The announcer doesn't say much only to who it was passed and some odd and repetitive phrases after a goal, or save. It gets a little annoying, but not that much. However, the characters have good voice actors and catch phrases. The music changes after a goal, and this is good, catchy music (for most characters, at least). My personal favorite is Nova's goal music. The chanting of the crowd when a spotlight shot is attempted is good too. The only thing bad is the repetitive announcer.

Do you have friends? Then this game will keep you coming back to play over and over again. You don't? Then the single player will last you 15 hours of playing quest mode with all the teams and playing tourneys and exhibitions. Because the single player mode won't keep ya interested for that long. But the multiplayer mode is awesome and fun to play. You can play on the same team or against each other. Play in tourneys or in Quest mode. Playing with more than 4 people is made possible by tourneys. Getting friends together and playing this game is pure exhilaration. Instant replays of goals are great for gloating.

This game is good fun for anyone who doesn't even like soccer that much. So I'd definitely recommend buying another one of Sega's hit games! I hope you like Soccer Slam too.

Presentation This arcade style game works a lot like the wacky sports series NBA Jam. Which can add a fun experience to the game.	7.5
Graphics The graphics are continually strong and add sensitivity to the gameplay.	7.0
Gameplay If you like the kooky style of NBA Jam, then you will definitely like this game. It has the same features and the same style of gameplay.	7.0
Overall The game may not seem like it has too much to offer, but it is definitely fun, for the time it's worth.	7.0