Fever Pitch Soccer

File:MD Fever Pitch Soccer (Head-On Soccer).png

Fever Pitch Soccer is a soccer game that is played from an isometric perspective in a two-dimensional environment with sprites. Although it follows the same gameplay as with other soccer titles at the time and most of the sport's rules are present as well, the game opts for a more arcade-styled and slapstick approach of the sport,{{Cite web|last=Sponsel|first=Sebastian|url=http://www.sega-16.com/2012/10/head-on-soccer/|title=Genesis Reviews - Head-On Soccer|website=sega-16.com|date=29 October 2012|accessdate=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903091729/http://www.sega-16.com/2012/10/head-on-soccer/|archive-date=3 September 2017|url-status=live}} instead of being a full simulation, as the team players tends to have a lean towards "dirty" play, in addition of having their respective special abilities such as the ability to dive in an attempt to win a free-kick or penalty and as the player's team wins games, they gain access to additional team players. There are also multiple stadiums to choose from, each with their own characteristics.

With the exception of the Jaguar port,{{cite magazine|last=Rat|first=The Lab|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_079.pdf&page=24|title=GamePro Labs - A Player's Guide to Power Peripherals - Feline Friends|magazine=GamePro|issue=79|publisher=IDG|date=February 1996|page=22|access-date=4 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708162501/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_079.pdf&page=24|archive-date=8 July 2018|url-status=live}} the Genesis and SNES versions feature support for multitap accessories, allowing more than two people for multiplayer. Every version also have five types of language settings to choose from at the main menu screen and a password system to resume progress.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:HobbyConsolas_ES_046.pdf&page=101|title=Fever Pitch Soccer - Ahora Puedes Practicar Un Nuevo "Toque" De Balón|magazine=Hobby Consolas|issue=46|publisher=Axel Springer SE|date=July 1995|page=101|lang=es|access-date=17 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018043349/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:HobbyConsolas_ES_046.pdf&page=101|archive-date=18 October 2018|url-status=live}}[https://www.digitpress.com/library/manuals/jaguar/fever%20pitch%20soccer.pdf Fever Pitch Soccer game manual] (Atari Jaguar, US) (PDF)

There are two main gameplay modes to pick at the menu: Tournament and Exhibition. Exhibition, as the name implies, is a non-competitive mode for two or more players, while Tournament is the main mode of the game, where players compete against computer-controlled teams and a password is given out following the successful completion of each game in this mode so that progress can be resumed at any given point.

There are 51 teams available to choose from before the start of any mode, each one representing their country and having their own in-game behavior.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

The Jaguar port was originally previewed in early 1995 by French magazine CD Consoles under the name Red Hot Soccer, featuring various differences compared to the final version,{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/CD%20Consoles/cdconsoles_numero04/Page%20102.jpg|title=Dossier - Ils Arrivent Sur 64 Bits - 64 Bit Divers - Red Hot Soccer|magazine=CD Consoles|issue=4|publisher=Pressimage|date=February 1995|page=102|lang=fr|access-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919132421/http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/CD%20Consoles/cdconsoles_numero04/Page%20102.jpg|archive-date=19 September 2018|url-status=live}} and was also showcased at Autumn ECTS '95.{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AVideoGames_DE_1995-11.pdf&page=7|title=Messe - ECTS Autumn '95 - Atari|magazine=Video Games|issue=48|publisher=Future-Verlag |date=November 1995|page=7|lang=de|access-date=17 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203301/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AVideoGames_DE_1995-11.pdf&page=7|archive-date=14 September 2018|url-status=live}} Atari Corporation UK marketing manager Darryl Still stated in a 2016 interview that the game was chosen to be ported for the Jaguar as part of Atari's European center of development, which was established in January of the same year with the aim of working alongside small game developers around the region to make titles for the system.{{cite magazine |last=Still |first=Darryl |url=https://archive.org/stream/Edge_UK_027#page/n16/mode/1up|title=Letters|magazine=Edge|issue=27|publisher=Future Publishing|date=December 1995|pages=17–18 |access-date=13 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104230341/https://archive.org/stream/Edge_UK_027#page/n16/mode/1up|archive-date=4 January 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Battison|first=Jamie|url=http://www.retrovideogamer.co.uk/rvg-interviews-darryl-still/|title=RVG Interviews – Darryl Still|publisher=Retro Video Gamer UK|date=8 September 2016|accessdate=13 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213184735/http://www.retrovideogamer.co.uk/rvg-interviews-darryl-still/|archive-date=13 February 2019|url-status=live}}

Fever Pitch Soccer was first released for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive in North America and Europe in 1995 by U.S. Gold. This version was later published in Brazil by Tectoy, and in Australia by Sega under the Sega Sports label. It was then released for the Super Nintendo in Europe in August 1995 and a month later in North America. In Germany, the game is known as Mario Basler: Jetzt geht's los! on both the Genesis/Mega Drive and Super NES, due to being endorsed by the former German winger athlete Mario Basler. It was ported to the Atari Jaguar by Distinctive Developments and published by Atari Corporation in both North America and Europe on 15 December 1995,{{cite web|date=15 December 1995|title=Atari Corp.'s Jaguar 64 hits mass market price; in time for holiday sales, Jaguar now $99|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Atari+Corp.%27s+Jaguar+64+hits+mass+market+price%3B+in+time+for+holiday...-a017867020|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726175612/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Atari+Corp.'s+Jaguar+64+hits+mass+market+price%3B+in+time+for+holiday...-a017867020|archive-date=26 July 2015|accessdate=17 October 2018|website=TheFreeLibrary.com|publisher=Business Wire}}{{cite web|last=Castle|first=Justin|url=https://issuu.com/amigajay/docs/jaguar_uk_pdf |title=Historical Atari Jaguar UK Magazine Advert/Reviews Collection|publisher=Issuu|format=PDF |date=21 July 2018|page=340|accessdate=17 October 2018|archive-date=4 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104221625/https://issuu.com/amigajay/docs/jaguar_uk_pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/st-report-1149/page/n45/mode/1up|title=Jaguar Online STR InfoFile: Online Users Growl & Purr! - CATnips... Jaguar tidbits from Don Thomas (95.12.06)|magazine=Silicon Times Report|issue=1149|publisher=STR Electronic Publishing Inc.|date=December 8, 1995}} under the name Fever Pitch Soccer in both regions (previous North American releases of the game used the title Head-On Soccer). A version for the 32X was planned but never released.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/HobbyConsolas045/Hobby_Consolas_045#page/n123/mode/2up|title=Hobby Sports - Fever Pitch - Fiebre de fútbol|magazine=Hobby Consolas|issue=45|publisher=Axel Springer SE|date=June 1995|pages=126–127|lang=es}}{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:MegaConsole_IT_16.pdf&page=18|title=X-tra X-clusive News For 32X - Soulstar X|magazine=Mega Console|issue=16|publisher=Futura Publishing|date=June 1995|page=18|lang=it|access-date=6 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117151149/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:MegaConsole_IT_16.pdf&page=18|archive-date=17 November 2018|url-status=live}}

{{Video game reviews

|SMD=true

|SNES=true

|JAG=true

|na=true

|CP_SNES=75%{{cite magazine|author=Panda|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Consoles%20Plus/consoleplus_numero045/Consoles%2B%20045%20-%20Page%20126%20%281995-07%29.jpg|title=Super Nintendo Review - Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=Consoles +|issue=45|publisher=M.E.R.7|date=July 1995|page=126|lang=fr}}

|CVG_SMD=89 / 100{{cite magazine|last=Clays|first=Simon |url=http://oldgamemags.ukprintarchive.com/Multi-format%20Publications/Computer%20&%20Video%20Games/CVG%20(1995-07)%20164%20(EMAP).pdf/#page/64|title=CVG Review - Mega Drive - Fever Pitch|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=164|publisher=Future Publishing |date=July 1995|pages=64–65 |access-date=4 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015003106/http://oldgamemags.ukprintarchive.com/Multi-format%20Publications/Computer%20%26%20Video%20Games/CVG%20%281995-07%29%20164%20%28EMAP%29.pdf/#page/64|archive-date=15 October 2018|url-status=dead}}

|CVG_SNES=88 / 100{{cite magazine|last=Merrett|first=Steve |url=http://oldgamemags.ukprintarchive.com/Multi-format%20Publications/Computer%20&%20Video%20Games/CVG%20(1995-06)%20163%20(EMAP).pdf/#page/84|title=CVG Review - SNES - Fever Pitch|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=163|publisher=Future Publishing|date=June 1995|pages=84–85|access-date=4 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018161718/http://oldgamemags.ukprintarchive.com/Multi-format%20Publications/Computer%20%26%20Video%20Games/CVG%20%281995-06%29%20163%20%28EMAP%29.pdf/#page/84|archive-date=18 October 2018|url-status=dead}}

|CVG_JAG=74 / 100{{cite magazine|last=Davies|first=Paul |url=http://oldgamemags.ukprintarchive.com/Multi-format%20Publications/Computer%20&%20Video%20Games/CVG%20(1996-01)%20170%20(EMAP).pdf/#page/38|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901003732/http://oldgamemags.ukprintarchive.com/Multi-format%20Publications/Computer%20%26%20Video%20Games/CVG%20%281996-01%29%20170%20%28EMAP%29.pdf/#page/38|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 September 2018 |title=CVG Review - Jaguar - Fever Pitch|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=170|publisher=Future Publishing|date=January 1996|page=38|access-date=4 January 2019}}

|GMaster_SMD=72 / 100{{cite magazine|title=Reviews - Mega Drive - Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=GamesMaster|issue=31|publisher=Future Publishing|date=July 1995|page=53}}

|GP_SMD=80%{{cite magazine|last=Salmon|first=Mike|url=https://archive.org/details/Game_Players_Issue_56_September_1995/page/n72|title=GP Sports - Reviews - Head On Soccer|magazine=Game Players|issue=75|publisher=Signal Research|date=September 1995|page=71}}

|GP_SNES=80%{{cite magazine|last=Salmon|first=Mike|url=https://archive.org/details/Game_Players_Issue_57_October_1995/page/n92|title=GP Sports - Reviews - Head On Soccer|magazine=Game Players|issue=76|publisher=Signal Research|date=October 1995|page=87}}

|JP_SNES=88%{{cite magazine|last=Nini|first=Nourdine |url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=84&num=1810&album=oui|title=Test - Super Nintendo - Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=Joypad|issue=44|publisher=Yellow Media|date=July–August 1995|pages=76–78|lang=fr}}

|MF_SMD=82%{{cite magazine|last=Schmiedehausen|first=Götz|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegaFun_DE_1995-09.pdf&page=72|title=Test Mega Drive - Mario Basler präsentiert: Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=Mega Fun|issue=36|publisher=CT Computec Verlag GmbH & Co. KG|date=September 1995|page=72|lang=de|access-date=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015042101/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegaFun_DE_1995-09.pdf&page=72|archive-date=15 October 2018|url-status=live}}

|MF_SNES=87%{{cite magazine|last1=Schmiedehausen|first1=Götz |last2=Girlich |first2=Stephan|url=http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=7617|title=Test Super Nintendo - Mario Basler präsentiert: Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=Mega Fun|issue=35|publisher=CT Computec Verlag GmbH & Co. KG|date=August 1995|pages=66–67|lang=de |access-date=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015003108/http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=7617|archive-date=15 October 2018|url-status=live}}

|MMS_SMD=90 / 100{{cite magazine|author1=Steve|author2=Gus|url=https://archive.org/stream/mean-machines-sega-magazine-32/MMSega_32_Jun_1995#page/n63/mode/2up|title=Megadrive Review - Fever Pitch|magazine=Mean Machines Sega|issue=32|publisher=EMAP|date=June 1995|pages=64–67}}

|MIC_SNES=71%{{cite magazine|author=C.S.G.|url=https://archive.org/stream/MicromanaTerceraEpocaSpanishIssue6#page/n56/mode/1up|title=Punto De Mira: La magia del fútbol - Fever Pitch Soccer (Super Nintendo)|magazine=Micromanía|volume=3|issue=6|publisher=HobbyPress|date=July 1995|page=57|lang=es}}

|NGen_SMD={{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-009/page/n103|title=Finals - Genesis - Head On Soccer|magazine=Next Generation|issue=9|publisher=Imagine Media|date=September 1995|page=102}}

|NGen_SNES={{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-010/page/n129|title=Finals - Super NES - Heads On Soccer|magazine=Next Generation|issue=10|publisher=Imagine Media|date=October 1995|page=128}}

|NGen_JAG={{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-016/page/n91|title=Finals - Jaguar - Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=Next Generation|issue=16|publisher=Imagine Media|date=April 1996|page=88}}

|PO_SMD=75%{{cite magazine|last=Lassale|first=Guillaume |url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Player%20One/playerone_numero056/Player%20One%20056%20-%20Page%20118%20%281995-09%29.jpg|title=Vite Vu - Megadrive/Super Nintendo - Fever Pitch|magazine=Player One|issue=56|publisher=Média Système Édition|date=September 1995|page=118|lang=fr}}

|PO_SNES=75%

|SJ_SNES=85 / 100{{cite magazine|last=Iturrioz|first=Javier |url=https://archive.org/stream/Superjuegos_039#page/n87/mode/2up|title=Super Nintendo - Review: Fever Pitch - Olor A Red|magazine=Superjuegos|issue=39|publisher=Grupo Zeta|date=July 1995|pages=88–89|lang=es}}

|TOT_SNES=2{{cite magazine|url=http://total.bee-ware.ch/tests/snes/snes_FeverPitchSoccer.jpg|title=Test - SNES - Mario Basler Präsentiert: Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=Total!|issue=27|publisher=X-Plain-Verlag|date=August 1995|pages=14–15|lang=de|access-date=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429104743/http://total.bee-ware.ch/tests/snes/snes_FeverPitchSoccer.jpg|archive-date=29 April 2016|url-status=live}}

|VGS_SMD=76%{{cite magazine|last=Sauer|first=Dirk|url=http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=11314|title=Mega Drive - Reviews - Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=Video Games|issue=45|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=August 1995|page=72|lang=de|access-date=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015042103/http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=11314|archive-date=15 October 2018|url-status=live}}

|VGS_SNES=77%{{cite magazine|last=Sauer|first=Dirk|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:VideoGames_DE_1995-09.pdf&page=105|title=Super Nintendo - Reviews - F. Pitch Soccer|magazine=Video Games|issue=46|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=September 1995|page=109|lang=de|access-date=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015042103/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:VideoGames_DE_1995-09.pdf&page=105|archive-date=15 October 2018|url-status=live}}

|VGS_JAG=72%{{cite magazine|last=Sauer|first=Dirk|url=http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=11215|title=Atari Jaguar - Reviews - Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=Video Games|issue=50|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=January 1996|page=46|lang=de|access-date=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015002939/http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=11215|archive-date=15 October 2018|url-status=live}}

|rev1=MAN!AC

|rev1_SMD=80%{{cite magazine|last=Gaksch|first=Martin|url=https://archive.org/details/MANIAC.N022.1995.08/page/n57|title=Spiele-Tests - SN/MD - Mario Basler presents Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=MAN!AC|issue=22|publisher=Cybermedia|date=August 1995|page=58|lang=de}}

|rev1_SNES=72%

|rev1_JAG=72%{{cite magazine|last=Gaksch|first=Martin|url=https://archive.org/details/MANIAC.N027.1996.01/page/n69|title=Spiele-Tests - Jaguar - Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=MAN!AC|issue=27|publisher=Cybermedia|date=January 1996|page=71|lang=de}}

}}

Reviewing the Super NES version, Next Generation said that the game has more strategy than the average soccer sim and is decently fun, especially when using a multitap. GamePro gave both the Genesis/Mega Drive and Super NES versions positive reviews. They commented that the unrealistic gameplay makes it more fast-paced and potentially more fun than other soccer simulations and were especially pleased with the exaggerated soccer moves which would not be possible in real life. They also remarked that the graphics and sounds of the Genesis/Mega Drive version, while not as good as those of the Super NES version, were more than good enough.{{cite magazine|author=Tommy Glide, Greasy Gus |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_074_September_1995/page/n77|title=The Sports Page - Head-On Soccer Speeds past Slower 16-Bit Sims |magazine=GamePro|issue=74 |publisher=IDG|date=September 1995|page=76}} Their review of the later Jaguar version said that though it is a port of the Super NES version with no enhancements to make use of the next-generation hardware, "it's still fun".{{cite magazine|author=Greasy Gus |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_081_April_1996/page/n94|title=Sport Pages - Jaguar - Fever Pitch Soccer|magazine=GamePro|issue=81|publisher=IDG|date=April 1996|page=93}} Next Generation also found the Jaguar version retained the fun of the game. The reviewer summarized, "Not exactly the game for soccer idealists, Fever Pitch Soccer is fun, but it's a little on the frivolous side." Next Generation reviewed the Genesis/Mega Drive version of the game, and stated that "Ultimately, Head On Soccer is easy to play and, unfortunately, it's just as easy to stop playing." In 1995, Total! ranked Fever Pitch Soccer 98th on their Top 100 SNES Games summarizing: "Not that accomplished as a full-on footy sim, but the comedy makes it that little bit different."{{Cite journal|date=July 1995|title=Top 100 SNES Games|url=https://archive.org/details/total-43/page/n47/mode/2up|journal=Total!|issue=43|pages=48 |access-date=February 20, 2022}}

{{clear}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/genesis/586231-head-on-soccer Fever Pitch Soccer] at GameFAQs
• [https://www.giantbomb.com/head-on-soccer/3030-12463/ Fever Pitch Soccer] at Giant Bomb
• [https://www.mobygames.com/game/head-on-soccer Fever Pitch Soccer] at MobyGames
• [https://atariage.com/software_page.php?SoftwareID=2552 Fever Pitch Soccer] at AtariAge

{{Portal bar|1990s|Video games|United Kingdom}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fever Pitch Soccer}}

Category:1995 video games

Category:Association football video games

Category:Atari games

Category:Atari Jaguar games

Category:Cancelled Sega 32X games

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

Category:Sega Genesis games

Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games

Category:Tectoy games

Category:U.S. Gold games

Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom