World Cup 98 was the first official FIFA World Cup game developed by EA Sports after obtaining the rights from FIFA in 1997. Unlike the previous World Cup games, which were in 2D and showed a bird's-eye view, World Cup 98 was the first in the franchise to use a 3D engine, utilising DirectX for the PC version.
Accurate national team kits (except for the goalkeepers who were issued a generic kit) were introduced complete with kit manufacturer logos and official merchandise. The game engine is based on that of FIFA: Road to World Cup 98, though it features some minor gameplay improvements to areas such as ingame strategy changing and player positioning.
The playable teams in the friendly mode also included several nations that did not qualify for the finals. World Cup 98 was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and Game Boy.
The UK version of the game features commentary from John Motson and Chris Waddle, with matches introduced by the voice of Des Lynam and voice-overs in the team schedules from Gary Lineker.
As with Electronic Arts' main FIFA Series, France 98 features several licenced songs; "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba is the title song of the game, with "Terminal Intensity" by The Wizard of Oh, "Soul Beat Runna" by Boymerang, "Absurd" by Fluke and others, are also used in the menus.
GAME MODES:
- World Cup:
The main feature of the game is the World Cup tournament itself, where the player may use either the actual groups used in the finals, or groups composed of a random selection of the included teams. Each match takes place in a recreation of the venue it was played in the actual tournament. As in the real tournament, group games do not go to extra time or a penalty shootout but knockout matches do.
Friendly Match:
The player can play matches between any of the teams that are included in the game. At the end of a drawn game the player can choose to finish the match as a draw, play extra time with the golden goal rule, or take part in a penalty shootout.
- World Cup Classic Mode:
The "World Cup Classics" mode allows the player to play eight classic World Cup Final matches from Italy versus West Germany in 1982, West Germany versus Netherlands in 1974, Brazil v Italy in 1970, England versus West Germany in 1966, West Germany versus Hungary in 1954, Uruguay versus Brazil in 1950, Italy versus Hungary in 1938, and Uruguay versus Argentina in 1930.
The 1982 match is unlocked by winning the "World Cup" mode, and by completing each unlocked game, the next one is unlocked in the order shown above. "World Cup Classics" mode features accurate period team kits (except for the goalies), hairstyles, and names, and commentary for this mode only was provided by Kenneth Wolstenholme, the BBC's commentator during the 1966 and 1970 World Cups. For the 1966, 1954 and 1950 World Cup Final matches in this mode, the graphics are in black and white, as they were shown on television at the time.
The 1938 and 1930 matches are shown using sepia tone graphics. In matches that took place prior to the introduction of substitutions, it is not possible to change a player during the match.
Manufacturer's description:
Win the World For Your Country in the EXCLUSIVE World Cup 98 Soccer Game
All 32 World Cup France Qualifying Teams: Take your favorite team - and players - to the World Cup Final.
NEW World Cup Classics: Play 8 of the greatest World Cup Final Matches of all time.
NEW On-The-Fly In-Game Management: Change attack strategies and formations at will.
NEW On-the-Fly In-Game Tactics: Run preset plays to score the winning goal.
Features:
- Third person perspective.
- 3D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Soccer theme.
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