FIFA: Road to World Cup 98

If nostalgia had a soundtrack, it might be Blur’s “Song 2,” forever tied to FIFA: Road to World Cup 98. This was the entry where the series suddenly felt cool, complete with proper qualifiers and a slick presentation that made you believe you were managing destiny itself. The gameplay balances arcade speed with a growing sense of realism, and sliding tackles feel satisfyingly dramatic. Players still move with a slight robotic stiffness, but the ambition is undeniable. It’s the kind of game where you start a quick match and somehow end up guiding San Marino to improbable glory. Ridiculous? Absolutely. Glorious? Even more so.