World Cup Carnival Zzap Review

• US Gold £9.95 cassette, £14.95 disk, one or two joysticks

The World Cup is happening at this very moment, and if that isn't enough, here'S US Gold's World Cup Carnival so you can play your own footy matches in between watching the real ones. What the program does is allow you to set up your own little world cup tournament starting from the quarter finals. When the program loads you're asked to input the number of players and their choice of teams. Once that's been sorted out the computer takes control of any other teams remaining and the footy matches can begin proper.

WCC plays similarly to International Soccer, being viewed panoramically in 3D with the game played over a three screen long pitch which scrolls with the ball. At the beginning of the match the two teams beetle out of the dressing room and make their way to their various positions on the pitch. When they're all ready the match begins. You're given control over the man nearest the ball and you can move him anywhere on the pitch. If the ball falls to his feet he automatically dribbles it until you press the fire button, which makes him kick it. The opponent's player can steal the ball when it's in your possession by simply running into you, forcing you to have to steal the ball back. If the ball isn't in your possession and the fire button is pressed control is handed to the player nearest the ball (useful if your man currently under control is far away from the ball).

When your opponent gets the ball anywhere near the goal your goalkeeper is automatically under your control, allowing you to make him dive left or right. Set pieces such as corners, throw-ins and goal kicks are automatically taken for you by a helpful team mate, although penalties are taken by the player. The game is played over a simulated 90 minutes with a short break at half time. When the match finishes your score is shown along with the others and you're put through to the next round if you qualify. The game continues in the same way through the semi finals to the finals, the winner of which is shown a representation of the Jules Rimet cup and proclaimed the winner.

Along with WCC comes some impressive and very glossy packaging. First there's a poster informing you of lots of World Cup trivia. There's also a free competition for you can enter with a CD player as first prize, a World Cup wallchart and stickers, poster size instructions and a World Cup sew-on badge.

Scans