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Super Kick Off

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Super Kick Off is a football game for the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear, released exclusively in Europe and Brazil. It is considered by many to be the watered-down version of Kick Off 2, previously released for the Commodore Amiga (and ported to the Amstrad CPC, Atari ST ...

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Developer
Tiertex

Released on
1992

Size
1–2 Players

Version
Game Gear

Requirements
Sega Game Gear

Downloads
Sports

Publisher
U.S. Gold

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Super Kick Off is a football game for the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear, released exclusively in Europe and Brazil. It is considered by many to be the watered-down version of Kick Off 2, previously released for the Commodore Amiga (and ported to the Amstrad CPC, Atari ST and Commodore 64). Kick Off 2 was originally programmed by Dino Dini for Anco Games, with the console adaptions being handled by Tiertex.

From a franchise perspective, Super Kick Off would be followed by the controversial Kick Off 3: European Challenge. However, Dino Dini, who had no involvement in Kick Off 3 would go on to form his own company and produce the Amiga/IBM PC game Goal!, which shares similar gameplay. Goal! also arrived on the Mega Drive, in the updated form of Dino Dini’s Soccer.

Super Kick Off

Overview & History

Released by U.S. Gold in 1991, *Super Kick Off* for the Sega Game Gear stands as a landmark portable football simulation designed by Anco, building upon the massive success of the original *Kick Off* franchise. Transitioning Dino Dini’s critically acclaimed top-down soccer formula onto Sega's color handheld was no small feat. While home console ports focused on flashy presentation, the Game Gear version had to optimize screen real estate and battery life without sacrificing the frantic, highly tactical gameplay loop that fans adored. Unlike standard arcade sports titles of the era, *Super Kick Off* rejected the magnetic ball mechanics seen in competitors like *Tecmo Cup*, instead introducing a revolutionary loose-ball physics system that fundamentally changed how players approached passing, dribbling, and scoring. With international teams, a deep tournament mode, and password save features, it offered a surprisingly robust football management and arcade hybrid experience that kept players glued to their backlit screens long into the night.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

At its core, *Super Kick Off* is defined by its unique camera perspective and physics model. Viewed from a vertical, top-down scroll, the game requires absolute precision because the ball does not stick to your player's feet. Dribbling relies entirely on subtle, rhythmic taps of the directional pad to knock the ball ahead of your runner, meaning a heavy-handed touch results in an immediate turnover to an aggressive AI defender. Passing demands careful calculation of momentum and angle, while shooting requires timing your strike precisely as the ball enters your character's active kick zone. Bending the ball around defensive walls or curling a corner kick directly into the box is achieved by rolling your thumb across the D-Pad right after impact. Referees enforce strict foul limits, handing out yellow and red cards for slide tackles from behind, forcing you to master the art of the shoulder charge to win back possession cleanly.