Match Day II
{{Short description|1987 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Matchday II
|image = MatchDay 2 Cover.jpg
|caption = ZX Spectrum cover art
|developer = Jon Ritman
|publisher = Ocean Software
|released = 1987
|genre = Sports
|modes = 1 or 2 players
|platforms = Amstrad CPC, Amstrad PCW, Commodore 64, MSX, ZX Spectrum
}}
Match Day II is a football sports game part of the Match Day series released for the Amstrad CPC, Amstrad PCW, ZX Spectrum, MSX and Commodore 64 platforms. It was created in 1987 by Jon Ritman with graphics by Bernie Drummond and music and sound by Guy Stevens[http://www.jonritman.f2s.com/games/md2/index.htm Comment about authors of the game in Ritman's home page, ritman.co.uk] (except for the Commodore version, which was a line-by-line conversion by John Darnell[http://s64.emuunlim.com/reviews/matchday2.htm Matchday II] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724053455/http://s64.emuunlim.com/reviews/matchday2.htm |date=2008-07-24}} at Stadium64). It is the sequel to 1984's Match Day.
Gameplay
The controls consist of four directions (allowing eight directions including diagonals) and a shot button. Each team has seven players,[http://www.crashonline.org.uk/48/matchday2.htm Match Day II review at crashonline.org] including goalkeeper and there are league and cup options available.
The game is considered highly addictive due to its difficulty level, the complete control over ball direction, power and elevation (using a Diamond Deflection System),[http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/matchdayii.htm Matchday 2 review at Your Sinclair Rock and Roll Years] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221113802/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/matchdayii.htm|date=2008-02-21}} and the importance of tactics and player positioning over the field (barging if necessary[http://www.zxsoftware.co.uk/zxsoftware/SinclairData/M/instructions/MatchDay2.txt Match Day 2 instructions]{{dead link|date=January 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} at zxsoftware.co.uk), which makes it challenging to break strong defences. It was the first game to use a kickometer.[https://web.archive.org/web/20000516151934/http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Heights/5874/footy.htm Football games] at geocities.com/SiliconValley
Some versions of the game play the song "When the Saints Go Marching In" while the players are walking to their initial positions on the field at the beginning of each half.[http://www.pressplaythenanykey.com/reviews/m.php Match Day 2 review] at pressplaythenanykey.com (in Spanish)
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| award1Pub = Crash
| award1 = Crash Smash
| award2Pub = Sinclair User
| award2 = SU Classic
| award3Pub = Your Sinclair
| award3 = Megagame
}}
The ZX Spectrum version of the game went to number 2 in the UK sales charts, behind Out Run.{{Cite web |url=http://ysrnry.co.uk/ys27.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620184654/http://ysrnry.co.uk/ys27.htm |archive-date=2014-06-20 |url-status=dead}}
Related games
The game is similar to a previous unpublished game by Jon Ritman, Soccerama.{{Cite web |url=http://perso.wanadoo.es/amstradcpc/interviews/ritman.html |title=Interview with Ritman at amstradmuseum.com |access-date=2010-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607085726/http://perso.wanadoo.es/amstradcpc/interviews/ritman.html |archive-date=2009-06-07 |url-status=dead}} Later, in 1995, Jon Ritman tried to release Match Day III, but the name of the game was changed to Super Match Soccer to avoid any potential legal issues.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{WoS game|id=0003070}}
- [http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/faq/whereis2.html#R Comment about Ritman, that allows his games to be distributed over the Internet]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-HAotth9Mk Match Day II playing video] at youtube.com
- [http://www.crashonline.org.uk/37/matchday.htm Match Day challenge] Crash - Issue 37
- [http://www.c64.com/interviews/galway.html Martin Galway interview] at c64.com
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080315041521/http://www.thelegacy.de/Museum/game.php3?titel_id=2475&game_id=2502 Match Day II] at thelegacy.de
Category:Association football video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games