Super Sidekicks

Introduction:

With all the 2D beat ‘em ups and shooters, the Neo Geo is a heaven for action fans. It’s nice to have some variation with a sports title. We literally kick off with Super Side Kicks (SSK), the first soccer title released for the AES.

As a gaming soccer fan it’s a double celebration when you have the chance to play a game like SSK. It unites two worlds which you love. It’s great to play on your favorite console, especially when it delivers a thrilling soccer experience.

There are twelve teams present in the Exhibition, Cup or Versus Mode: Germany, Italy, Spain, England, Mexico, Japan, Argentina, Holland, Brazil, France, the United States and South Korea. Although being a pure arcade footie, it doesn’t mean all the teams are the same. There are certainly some subtle differences between formations and (key) players. In Cup Mode, where single players will spend most of their time, you have to eliminate five opponents of your own group. After surviving the group stage, the (semi)final takes place to decide who will win the Neo Geo Cup. Actually every match is a final, because after every loss, the Game Over screen pops up without mercy. A draw continues with over-time or a penalty shoot-out. Luckily you can always try again or save your progress via Memory Card.

Ace 🕹️

SSK brings the beautiful game to your living room. The action is fast and the spectacle is mainly concentrated in the goalmouth. Before arriving there, first you have to win the battle in midfield. Tackling your opponents with a slide gives great opportunities to take over possession. Failed attempts result in field loss and gives the CPU more possibilities to attack your goal. No, the body check is generally more effective. This way the opponent gets kicked down, leaving him vulnerable for a few seconds. It’s more likely the referee whistles but luckily he doesn’t bring any yellow or red cards with him!

After arriving at the penalty area, the shooting fun starts. It’s wise to deliver the ball to your “Ace”. The star player on your team is faster, more athletic and so far better than the rest of the team. When “Shoot!” appears on screen, he is capable of firing fierce shots, giving goal keepers more trouble than anyone else on your team. SSK uses only two buttons (A & B) but isn’t a simplistic soccer game.

Sharp tackles, unfair body checks, frightful pike dives, spectacular bicycle kicks, hard-hitting volleys and plays that put opponents on the wrong foot; it’s all in the game. With each goal, the commentator goes completely crazy screaming GOAL! the South-American way. The celebration scenes of cheering players are very nice and add to the atmosphere, just like it has to be in a Neo-Geo game!

Crazy Japanese Programmer 👾

There is something about the difficulty level. I played all matches on Easy, because the CPU became already tough at the 3rd match. Every time the final had been reached, the superior Germans did beat my Argentina. After 1 draw and 15 (!) losses, it was time to use Germany. If you can’t beat them, join them. After a fresh advance the finals were reached and fate was ironic with Argentina as opposition. Two close losses did not falter confidence, it was only rising. The cup was within grasp! Playing the third final with Germany, I decided to change tactics and changed the difficulty to Normal. You guessed it, the cup was, after a 2-1 victory, finally in the right hands. A replay of the match with the same difficulty level did end with a draw. So it’s relative fair to say that Easy doesn’t live up to its name. Maybe a doubtful joke of a crazy Japanese programmer.

SSK has more (funny) flaws. After half-time the teams don’t change sides and Spain plays their matches in a Portuguese outfit. Especially the latter is more laughable than annoying. Some spelling errors or strange words in the English manual, more common back in the day, are funny leftovers from the translation. Despite these “flaws”, SNK has made a spectacular, decent soccer game. Not only for hardcore soccer fans, but it’s also suitable for people who want to try a soccer title. The few rules and the accessible design are responsible for this. If it were only until the third game in Cup Mode, where the game quickly shows its true nature.

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