International Superstar Soccer 64 FAQ by Simon Pulman ---------------------------------------------------- SPulman@axalon.globalnet.co.uk Version 1.00 6/3/99 Size: 10KB This is not intended to infringe Konami/Nintendo/anyone else. It is MY OWN WORK, using my own skills and experiences, so if you want to reproduce it please ask me. I am however going to put the latest version up on www.gamefaqs.com. Thanks. Since nobody has written an FAQ for Konami's superlative soccer game, I thought I'd give it a shot. Feel free to contact me at the above address if you have any questions, or anything to contribute. CONTENTS ------- 1) Background 2) Control Summary 3) Formations and Strategies 4) Preventing Goals 5) Scoring Goals 6) Notes 1) Background: ------------ ISS 64 is the follow-up to the 16-bit console soccer games, ISS and ISS Deluxe. Critically acclaimed, it is an arcade style game rather than a simulation. This FAQ is aimed at mastering the hardest 'level 5' difficulty setting, since it provides the greatest challenge to all but the casual gamer. I will outline the basic moves and strategies before moving on to the techniques that will help ensure victory. 2)Control Summary: --------------- Basic Movement: Control stick Run: Bottom C Switch Player: Right Shoulder Button Defensive Moves: Block Tackle: A Slide Tackle: Left C Push/Elbow: A and B together. Attacking Moves: Shoot: B Pass: A Chip: Left C One-Two (Wall Pass): Right C Through Ball: Top C 3)Formations And Strategies: ------------------------ In ISS64, the players are divided into three main areas: Defence, Midfield and Attack. Although tactics do not play a massive part in success, the right formation and team layout can help. Defence: On level 5, the greatest threat is the computer dissecting your defenders with a through ball, from which it has a good chance of scoring. Therefore a sweeper is essential. He should be backed up with two centre backs. The Computer is generally less of a threat down the flanks, so I find it best to have any wide players functioning in a 'wing-back' position, or with 'JOIN ATTACK' turned on. This way they can deal with the limited wing threat, whilst still helping in attack. Whilst player selection is limited, ideally defenders should be quick and be good in the air. Unless you plan on going on long runs frequently, stamina is least important in centre backs, though is certainly useful in wing- backs. Midfield: The primary job of the midfield is to win the ball and create chances for the strikers. The best option is to play three centre midfielders, along with the wing backs mentioned above. Of these 3 midfielders, one should be played in a withdrawn role between the midfield and defence. The other two midfielders should be used to thread through balls to the attackers or wing-backs, or to go on solo runs (having the Defensive midfielder covers any counter attack resulting from this). Attackers: Obviously, the main job of the attackers is to score goals. If two are playing up front, they should both be central so they can link up and play one-twos. There is little to say about the attackers tactically- the methods of scoring are below. Techniques: ----------- 4)PREVENTING GOALS: ---------------- In order to win in ISS, the first objective is to prevent goals. The main step in doing this is by learning the two tackling techniques: Block Tackle: This is used when very near another player, usually when head-on. The timing is easier than a slide tackle, and often you will come away in possession. If one of your players is robbed of the ball, the you should immediately tap A as it is quite likely you will win the ball back straight away. Slide Tackle: This should be performed against a sprinting opponent who is either side-on or a bit away from your player. The timing of the tackle really needs to be practiced, but after a while you should get the ball 95% of the time. The perfection of the ISS slide tackle is what sets it aparts, IMO, from inferior games. There are a few more general points about defending. Firstly, heading. When the computer opponent tries to knock the ball in the air, a well timed press of left C (for a looping header) or A (to knock it down to a nearby teammate) will suffice. Under no circumstances, shoudld the computer ever beat you in the air :-) The second thing to remember is that when a CPU opponent is clear through on the goalkeeper, he will often save it, leaving it rebounding back towards the striker. YOU MUST GET TO IT FIRST- this can either be by simply picking it up and running to safety, or by sliding towards it and just knocking it out for a corner. It is SO infuriating when the computer scores from a rebound. Thirdly, never let the computer cut across the edge of the box. He will usually unleash a screamer of a shot into the corner of the net, so get to him first. 5)SCORING GOALS: ---------------- This is divided into two sections: creating chances, and putting the ball in the net. Getting to the goal: ------------------- Dribbling: With skill and a bit of luck, it is frequently possible to beat the entire opposition defence to create a chance. The technique is to use the analogue stick to weave between opponents, while NOT sprinting. This is how to do it when running right: Approach the opponent straight on (-->) then as as you get near, gradually, move the stick 90 degrees in either direction. It is not a sharp turn, but a slight movement which should leave the defender floundering. You can then apply a touch of pace to accelerate away. It is hard to describe, but trust me, it works! Just remember that it is usually better not to sprint when trying to beat opponents. Through Ball: Obviously, it won't work every time, but it can provide great chances. The best thing to do is to unleash the through ball when your midfielder is about a quarter of the way into the opposition's half. NB: Sometimes a wide through ball will encourage the GK to come out and retrieve it. Often by tapping shoot as you approach you will be able to squeeze the ball through the narrow angle and into the net. Crossing: Scoring with headers and volleys is difficult on level 5. The best way to do so is to get to the byline at about six yards away from the near post. By lightly chipping it back to the man at the far post, you should avoid the GK and defenders, allowing the striking to volley into the far corner. One-Two: This is a bit hit and miss but can produce spectacular results. A tap of right C does a normal one two, while holding it flicks the ball into the air for the receiver. I find the one-two best used by a winger who wants to evade a marker, but it can also be used to produce good chances in the box. Tackling: Often the opposition defence will mess about with the ball, dribbling and passing even in their own six yard box. I have scored hundreds of goals by tackling slack defenders, so use the tackling skills you have practised to devestating effectiveness. It is also worth noting that if you tackle a defender in the six yard box the goalkeeper will be quickly out, so you often have to shoot quickly. SCORING GOALS: ------------------ The level 5 goalkeepers are stupidly difficult to beat. Luckily though, they can also be plain stupid, so use this to your advantage. Shooting: The first skill to learn is shooting. Basically, Pressing up or down puts the ball in the respective corner, centring the stick puts it in the middle of the goal and holding away from the goal lobs the ball. Holding B for different times controls height. I have found scoring goals on level 5 frustrating, particulary against the good teams (such is my experience with the game, I find anything easier boring). It IS possible however for South Korea to score 10+ goals against the World Stars by the following sneaky methods: Cheesy Goal One: Receive the ball on the side edge of the box. Sprint down the wing, then suddenly release bottom C and turn inside, using the dribbling method detailed above. Use this to beat the defenders in front of you, and then sprint along a line level with the penalty spot. When you are roughly level with the far post, hold the stick in the direction you are running and shoot using B. This will produce a goal 90% of the time, even against the best goalkeepers, and if the shot hits a defender, or you are tackled, it is easy for another striker to finish the task. Cheesy Goal Two: This is more hit and miss, due to the fact that it is easier to close you down. Approach the GK until you reach the penalty spot. At this point the Gk should come out. Quickly move backwards with the ball until almost at the edge of the box. Now turn and lob the ball, holding B for around 1/2 a second. The ball should go over the keeper and drop into the empty net. This method is more difficult since the lob requires precision and you can be tackled, but it should work at least a 1/3 of the time. NB. It is particularly amusing when a computer defender, trying to save the ball knocks it into his own net for an OG. Obviously there are more legitimate tactics, but these the above should help bale you out when necessary. 6)Notices To Come: More in depth strategy. Multiplayer Tactics. Team Selection. Set Piece/Penalty Tactics. Scenario Guide. Thankyou.