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Thus far, soccer fans have been left high and dry when it comes to quality soccer titles for the Dreamcast. Virtua Striker has some nice features, but the gameplay does not cut it for people looking for a great simulation. Infogrames has released a soccer game, entitled "Striker Pro 2000," that may just be what soccer fans are looking for in a DC soccer game. With respectable graphics and realistic gameplay, this title stays away from receiving a yellow card.

The graphics of Striker Pro 2000 are good. The players animate well, and there is a nice variety of moves. The motion-captured animation is very convincing. The game's graphics really start to shine when the camera zooms in at certain moments, such as after goals and before throw-ins. The fields look incredibly real. Kudos go out to the person who did the textures! The snow-covered field looks very realistic. Instead of a smooth white layer depicting the snow, the effect that is utilized shows more of the grass, with just a frosting of snow. The main problem I have with the graphics is that the camera angles are set too far away from the action. Even setting the zoom to "high," I kept moving my face closer to the TV to get a closer look. The advantage to not zooming in much is that the gamer can see more of the field, but the disadvantage is that they cannot eat up the nice graphics quite as much. This small quibble aside, the graphics of Striker Pro 2000 are very smooth.

While the graphics of Striker Pro 2000 are above average, the sound is mediocre. The crowd does not get very energized during the matches, and the commentary is fairly repetitive. Jonathan Pearce and Ron Atkinson are talented enough, it is just that there is not a wide enough variety in the phrases. On a positive note, the announcers interact well with each other and achieve a nice flow. The sounds associated with the on-field game are fine. Everything in this respect sounds as it should. The menu music and the FMV intro at the beginning of the game are pretty cool. Overall, the sound is not bad, but it is not great.

The gameplay in Striker Pro 2000 is solid. The pacing of the game is perhaps the most realistic of any console soccer game. Unlike other soccer titles, where the game boils down to "quick pass, quick pass, quick pass, shoot," Striker Pro 2000 requires a more patient approach to the game. The developers clearly understand the sport of soccer, and do not sell out to gamers who prefer the pinball-style approach to soccer. Accomplished footballer Glenn Roeder had a role in the development of the AI of Striker Pro 2000. The ball handlers in Striker Pro 2000 look like they are actually dribbling the ball, as opposed to the ball having the appearance of being attached to an invisible piece of elastic strapped around the players' ankles. The game rewards smart passing, strategic adjustments, and a calculated strategy. I had a great time trying to think of proper formations to use against superior teams, and then perfecting my skills in implementing these strategies. The CPU defense generally lays back more than in other soccer titles I have played. At the easier settings, there are a few ways to exploit out-of-position defenders and goalies, but games are still not overly high scoring. However, at the highest difficulty setting, a little slipup here and there can be quite costly, as the CPU will pounce on an opportunity created from a turnover. It is refreshing to tackle a console soccer title that plays like the actual game.

There are several modes of play in Striker Pro 2000. From league play to tournaments, there is something to satisfy the desires of all soccer fans. Gamers can also create their own leagues and competitions. Although the real names of the players are not used in Striker Pro 2000, there is the ability to create custom teams, uniforms, and names. Additionally, there are 130 teams included. The training mode is a nice "extra." There are a variety of skills that can be practiced in areas such as passing and shooting. But wait, there's more! The user can also take UEFA Certificate tests. There are six sections to the test, each section having 10 stages. If you score high enough in this area of the title, you will unlock extra teams and competitions. I highly recommend completing this area of the game before playing at the highest difficulty setting.

Gameplay of a sports title is always enhanced by a cornucopia of options. Striker Pro 2000 does not fail in this category. This game is loaded with options. The gameplay can be adjusted in terms of speed and CPU pressure. Penalties, game length, rules, and weather are also open to adjustment. As mentioned before, there are a wide range of game modes, including four modes that can be unlocked. On a side note, the VMU is actually utilized effectively in Striker Pro 2000. The gamer can use it to change strategy on the fly, and the VMU will display relevant information from time to time.

In the end, Striker Pro 2000 is not the absolute best soccer title I have played, but it is one of the better soccer games on the market. The gameplay is much more realistic than that of EA's FIFA series, but it does not quite have the incredible feel of Konami's soccer games. For now, Infogrames has the best football title for the Dreamcast. Striker Pro 2000 looks nice, offers realistic gameplay, and is loaded with lots of options. It is one of the better sports titles for the Dreamcast. I recommend giving this game a try.