Real Soccer 2009 Review for Nintendo DSi

System: DSi, DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Gameloft	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Gameloft	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: May 11, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-4	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

On an extremely positive note, there are a ton of sport-appropriate game modes that get serious fans into the mood. Other than simple exhibition matches, players can also take on cup and league modes. Cup mode will let you choose from various analogs to the World Cup, Euro, Champions League, a fusion between Gold Cup and Copa America, Asian Cup, and African Nations competitions.

Real Soccer 2009 screenshot

In league mode, players can choose from English, Italian, Spanish, German, French, and international leagues. These are standard home and home scheduling with league standing support. Best of all, trophies can be garnered by becoming the champion in each of the league and cup events. This provides at least some impetus to get through all of the modes and get away from your favorite league and cup competitions.

Topping it off, the single-player options are nicely backed up by a local multiplayer mode that supports up to four-player competitive and cooperative play. However, the multiplayer does require each participant to download the game, as there is no demo version available via Download Play. Nevertheless, at $8, the game is cheap enough for all of your soccer-crazed friends to purchase it. That being said, I was surprised to see there is no Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection support for true multiplayer online play. In fact, this was quite disappointing; the lack of online play brings the game down from a nearly perfect entry to merely a great one. Of course, a great game for less than 10 bucks is certainly in the realm of must-buy, regardless.

I was a bit worried by the first few releases to hit DSiWare, but Real Soccer 2009 has proven to be a true boon to the service. If loads of premium, bargain titles like this continue to drop, the DSi could extend this generation of handhelds for another several years.

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Editor / News Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.3

Graphics
The sprites are typical, pixelated DS fare, but the three stadiums are nicely detailed.

4.0

Control
The standard controls are surprisingly tight, but the touch screen capabilities are too gimmicky for their own good.

3.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The sounds are extremely sparse. At least they don't hinder play with annoying repetition.

4.4

Play Value
This game is nearly as deep as anything the competition has put out, the gameplay is spot on, and the price is amazing! If online play was included, this would be true must-buy.

4.1

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Feel as close as possible to being a real professional soccer player. Real Soccer 2009 is the definitive soccer title designed specifically for the Nintendo DSi and its unique capabilities.

The game offers a never-before-seen soccer experience with revolutionary yet accessible Touch Screen controls (e.g. fake opponents by drawing a circle to perform a roulette).

It includes 198 teams using real players' names, dynamic AI opponents and 3D graphics that push the DSi to the max.

Take photos of anything you want and turn them into your own customized ball, team flag, or make yourself into your favorite player.