Elsewhere on the pitch, the passing system proves to be quick and simple, although not as accurate as ISS98. It's much better than FIFA 99 though, because unlike EA's flawed giant, the ball actually rolls over the grass like a real ball should, and not like a speeding air hockey puck. This is a pretty fundamental thing in a football game, you might think, but one that few developers ever manage to get right.

So WLS2000 plays a decent game then, superior in most respects to any of the FIFA games and not that far behind ISS98. It has more rough edges than either of its rival titles, though, not least in the graphics department. It looks great in the still screenshots, thanks to its use of the N64's 640x480 mode, but it's a real pig to look at when it's on the move. The animation is basic, despite using Les Ferdinand and Michael Owen himself for some of the motion capture. Compared with the silky ISS98, the players move like constipated OAPs. The lack of incidental animation makes the game look rather dated and there's some nasty slowdown when the penalty area gets busy.

But don't be deceived by the dodgy graphics and the evil menu system (the work of Satan himself) - WLS2000 is a superb football game. It's better than the crowd of dull pretenders on the PlayStation, better than FIFA on any platform and second only to ISS98 on the N64. Give it a chance.