Nintendo World Cup
β 71%
π 6.3/10
(GameBoy - PAL, Soccer)
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Complete
$53.50
Loose $4.88
Developed by:
Technos
Published by:
Playtronic
Released On:
26 Apr 1991
Also available on:
The Nintendo World Cup was released in 1991 and was created at a time when Nintendo introduced their four-player adapter, which suggested that the game was designed for multiplayer fun. This is evident when playing with two or more players, as you can choose from various ground layers, such as ice, grass, and stone, adding to the replayability of the game.
When playing a one-player game, you take on the role of one of the top soccer countries of the time, navigating through a predetermined order of matches. The final match is against West Germany, and unfortunately, losing is as simple as drawing - there's no extra time or penalty shootouts. This adds a layer of simplicity to the gameplay.
In the Nintendo World Cup , you control only one character before each match, which can be changed from match to match. You can give basic orders to your teammates, such as pass, tackle, and shoot, but these are the only options available. The game's physics are non-existent, allowing for reckless tackles without consequence - a trait that might have been intended to make the game more enjoyable when played with friends.
UPC-A:
045496730154 (United States)
eBay Product ID:
1193 (United States)
EAN-13:
4968947446038 (Japan)
Nintendo Media PN:
DMG-NCJ-JPN (Japan)
Nintendo Media PN:
DMG-NC-USA (United States)
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GameFAQs
Save Game Methods:
Password
Number of Players Supported:
1-2 Players
Miscellaneous Attributes:
Game Link Cable
Prices as of 09 Oct 2026
Typical $54.51β$55.68 (last 90 days)
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Complete
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Box
Manual
Smoothed
Log Β· Auto
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Market activity: active Β· about 38 sales a year
Activity is a 12-month sales count. Dashed segments rest on two sales a year or fewer.
Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is a sports game where players lead their national soccer team through the Nintendo World Cup finals. You'll compete against other countries, passing and shooting to score goals and win the championship.
Story
Play!
The Nintendo World Cup competition is the greatest sporting event in the world. National teams from 13 different countries have come together with the hopes of taking home the coveted Nintendo World Cup trophy.
While others may dream of just surviving the qualifying matches, your team has made it to the Nintendo World Cup finals. The competition will be tough, but you've prepared well for these upcoming matches. Can you take on the world's best and come out on top?
Carry the excitement of International soccer wherever you go with Nintendo World Cup. Pass... Shoot...SCORE!!! It's portable world class fun!
Controls
SELECT BUTTON
not used
START BUTTON
start the game and to pause the game during play
CONTROL PAD
move players, control the direction of a shot, and to move the cursor on any option screen
A BUTTON
pass the ball or to ask your teammates to pass you the ball when you are on offense. When you are on defense, you can tackle your opponent or tell your teammates to tackle
B BUTTON
shoot the ball or to ask your teammates to shoot the ball when you are on offense. When you are on defense, you can slide into your opponent or tell your teammates to slide
A and B Buttons simultaneously
activate each player's Super Kick!
A and B Buttons simultaneously with the Control Pad
activate each player's Super Kick!
How to Play
Game Selection
Move the cursor to the desired number of players for tournament play or select versus play for a 1P vs. 1P match. Then press the START Button.
Tournament Mode
1P (1 Player vs the Computer)
Compete against the World's best in the Nintendo World Cup Tournament. If you defeat all 12 teams in the Tournament, the Nintendo World Cup trophy is yours!
2P (2 Players vs the Computer)
Team up with a friend and challenge for the Nintendo World Cup trophy!
Versus Mode
Versus (1 Player vs 1 Player)
Set up your own dream matches on various playing surfaces from around the world in this exciting match game.
Note: You cannot select either of the 2 player games (2P or the Versus game) unless there is a game pak inserted into each Game Boy unit and the Game Linkβ’ cable is securely connected to both Game Boy units.
Passwords
In the Tournament matches, you will be given a password at the end of every game. Write this number down for future reference.
Once you have a password, you can begin a match starting from the last game you have won.
β’
To enter a password, press up or down to select a number.
β’
Then press left or right to select the number's position.
β’
Then press the Start Button.
Team and Player Selection
Team Selection
Each team has its own unique characteristics. Some teams are very fast, some are excellent at defense, while others are good passers. Try to find the team that has the best overall skills, or pick an underdog team and see how far you can go!
In the 1P (Player) or 2P Tournament games, you or your teammate will select a country to represent. In the 2P (Player) Versus game, each player will select a country to represent.
β’
Choose Your Team.
β’
U.S.A.
β’
ENGLAND
β’
HOLLAND
β’
SPAIN
β’
JAPAN
β’
BRAZIL
β’
FRANCE
β’
GERMANY
β’
CAMEROON
β’
ARGENTINA
β’
U.S.S.R.
β’
ITALY
β’
MEXICO
Player Position
Just like the team selection, each player has his own unique set of characteristics. Since you only control one player and the computer controls the rest of your team, experiment with different players to find the athlete with the best overall skills.
β’
To change the player's position, move the cursor to "YES" and select with the A Button.
β’
Assign a player to all 6 positions using the cursor and A Button.
β’
The player with the roman numeral I is the player you control (the Roman numeral II will appear next to the second player's name in multiple player games).
β’
Change Positions?
β’
1P Yes No
β’
Tony 48
β’
Mark 6
β’
Dayv 2
β’
Don 1
β’
Brian 3
β’
Phil
β’
Terry 5
β’
Fred
Planning Your Game Strategy
Planning your strategy is very important to winning each game. In order to make it to the Nintendo World Cup finals, you must learn different techniques and make adjustments to your opponent's game plans.
β’
To plan your offensive strategy, move the cursor to the option you want and select with the A Button.
β’
Repeat this step once more to complete your game strategy and to begin play.
Your Offensive Strategy?
Do you want your teammates to pass you the ball or do you want them to dribble the ball up the field? If you choose to have them dribble the ball up the field, you can ask them to pass you the ball by pressing the A Button.
Should Your Teammates Shoot?
Sometimes it's helpful to get the little extra scoring punch from your teammates. You decide if they should shoot the ball frequently, only sometimes, or not at all.
Not every team is the same. Plan your strategy carefully for each team and make any necessary adjustments during halftime. Defeating all the teams and capturing the Nintendo World Cup Trophy will depend on how you prepare for each match!
Choosing Your Playing Surface
In the Versus match after each player has selected a team, use the cursor to select the type of playing surface you want to play your match on. Then press the A Button to select that field.
Grass
Play on the perfectly manicured grass of the world's top stadiums.
Bumpy
Watch out for the rocks on this play field! If you run into a rock, you may have to sit for a few seconds to regain your senses.
Sand
The deep sand of this play field will cause the ball to roll very slowly. Watch out! Your passes will not travel as far once they land.
Ice
On this slippery playing surface, if you get tackled you might slide off the playing field.
By using the + Control pad in conjunction with the A and B Buttons, you can control the offensive and defensive moves of your player and your teammates.
Offense
Dribbling
When you have the ball, you can control your dribble by moving the + Control Pad in any direction.
Passing
If you want to pass the ball to a teammate, press the A Button and the computer will automatically pass the ball to your nearest teammate. If a teammate has the ball and you would like them to pass the ball to you, press the A Button.
Shooting
By pressing the B Button and any direction on the + Control Pad simultaneously, you can shoot the ball to that
Tips & Maps
PASSWORDS MEMO
This section is for recording passwords. It includes fields for DATE, LAST GAME, and PASSWORD.
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