Description

"FIFA 97: Gold Edition" is a classic installment in the long-standing FIFA video game series, designed specifically to captivate soccer enthusiasts on the iconic Nintendo Super NES console. This edition, released by Electronic Arts in 1996, built upon the foundations set by its predecessors by offering both indoor and outdoor soccer modes, a feature that differentiated it from many other football titles of the time. The game boasted enhanced graphics and animations courtesy of the Super NES capabilities, immersing players in a more fluid and realistic soccer experience. Players could choose from over 4,000 real players and 237 teams, spanning 12 international leagues, each carefully crafted to reflect the real-world abilities and styles of the teams and players during the mid-90s.

"FIFA 97: Gold Edition" introduced several gameplay innovations, including the “Virtual Stadium” technology and the inclusion of realistic audio commentary, provided by well-known British commentators John Motson and Andy Gray, which significantly added to the match-day atmosphere typical of a bustling soccer stadium. This edition also featured a refined control system that allowed players more precise handling of the football, including the ability to perform lob passes, through balls, and controlled shots. A variety of game modes such as League, Short Season, and Custom Tournament were available, allowing for lengthy and engaging gameplay. The game is remembered not only as a milestone in sports gaming due to its significant technical and aesthetic improvements over earlier versions but also as a nostalgic piece for many veteran gamers of the Super NES era.