This Is Football

A series of association football simulation video games developed by Sony Computer Entertainment, starting in 1999.

Sports

Games

1999–2004

Years

Platforms

$5.72

Ø CIB

-0.6%

24M change

About

This Is Football is a franchise of association football video games primarily released for PlayStation platforms. The series began with the release of This is Football in 1999, which was followed by sequels such as This is Football 2, This is Football 5, and This is Football 2002. In North America, the series was published under the title World Tour Soccer.

Developed by Sony's Team Soho, the franchise aimed to compete directly with established simulation giants by offering fast-paced gameplay and localized content. The debut title, This is Football (1999), launched on the original PlayStation, accompanied by specialized releases like the This Is Football [Multi Tap Bundle] (1999) to promote local multiplayer matches, and the rare This Is Football [Press Kit] (1999) distributed to media outlets.

The series quickly expanded with This is Football 2 (2000), which refined the original's arcade-style mechanics. As hardware transitioned, the franchise made its PlayStation 2 debut with This is Football (2000) and the release of This is Football 5 (2000), offering enhanced graphics and larger stadium environments. The transition to the new console generation solidified with This is Football 2002 (2001), which introduced more sophisticated tactical options and licensed FIFPro players, alongside its promotional counterpart, This is football 2002 [Promo Not For Resale] (2001). The franchise distinguished itself in the market through unique gameplay mechanics, such as a dedicated button for executing deliberate fouls and diving, which added a distinct, competitive element to the virtual sport.