Virtua Striker 2002 has been designed exclusively for the GameCube, and features 10 unique modes packed with all-new simulation elements. Choose one of 64 national teams, set up your rosters and formations, and hit the field running. Flex your coaching skills and train your players in a four-year quest for the ultimate glory--the International Cup. And, of course, the trademark fast and furious Virtua Striker gameplay is back and better than ever.

Review
Sega has unleashed the latest version of its arcade soccer game Virtua Striker onto the GameCube masses. Arcade really is the keyword here--the game features no officially sanctioned player names and little in the way of tactics, and ball control consists of a couple of button taps. Thats not to say its not fun--we hadnt laughed so much in ages as when our Tongan side beat Germany 6-0 in an oddly disjointed game featuring poor animation, no commentary, and sparse sound effects that are totally inappropriate within the context of the game.

Its hard not to feel that this is an opportunity missed. Virtua Striker 2002 has oodles of play modes for single and multiplayer action, but theres something unsatisfying about the playing experience. The lack of proper challenges makes tackling an awkward affair, and team members either slide dramatically across the turf or produce some kind of nervous tic that throws the opponent away from the ball. And matters dont improve when the other side gains possession. Time after time a computer-controlled friendly player will dash perilously close to a loose ball only to snatch himself away and run off in a random direction--its frustrating to say the least.

If you can bear its inadequacies, Virtua Striker 2002 can be fun--its certainly the most hilarious soccer game for the Cube to date--but those looking for a more realistic representation of the sport should stick with the FIFA series. --Chris Russell -- Amazon.co.uk