Rugby World Cup '95

Last updated
Rugby World Cup '95
Rugbyworldcup95 easports boxarteumd.jpg
Developer(s) EA Sports
Creative Assembly (DOS)
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s) Sega Genesis, DOS
ReleaseGenesis
December 1994
DOS
1995
Genre(s) Sports (Rugby)
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Rugby World Cup '95 is a sports video game developed by EA Sports and published by Electronic Arts for the Sega Genesis in 1994. It is based on the sporting event of the same name. A DOS port was developed by Creative Assembly and released in 1995.

Contents

Gameplay

Rugby World Cup '95 is developer Electronic Arts' first attempt at a rugby union simulation and is graphically adapted from the company's previous association football title FIFA International Soccer . [1] The game utilizes an isometric viewpoint where the player controls one of the fifteen rugby players on their team at a time with the ability to switch players on command. It features multiplayer for up to four people simultaneously, each controlling a different rugby player. The human competitors can choose to control a rugby player on the same team or on opposing teams with the remainder controlled by the computer.

Four modes are available: Friendly, World Cup, World Cup 95 and League. Friendly engages the player in a single match between two teams of their choice. World Cup mode resembles the format of the Rugby World Cup, with the player controlling a team of their choice through a tournament with a knockout format. World Cup 95 mode features the same format, but with the teams taking part and the order of the matches at the group stage being the same as the 1995 edition of the event. League consists of eight teams who contest a double round-robin tournament.

Playable nations

The game features all twenty national teams that participated in the 1995 Rugby World Cup, a further ten countries that participated in the qualifying stages, plus two fictional teams: the EA Barbarians and the EA Maulers. The players on each of the teams have fictional names.

Development and release

Rugby World Cup '95 for the Sega Genesis was developed internally at the Slough branch of EA Sports, a division of the larger Electronic Arts. [1] Leads Jules Burt and Jon Law were assigned to the project after work on 1993's FIFA International Soccer for Genesis was moved to the company's Canadian studio. [2] Rugby World Cup '95 uses the same game engine as its predecessor, borrowing its isometric viewpoint and drastically increasing the number of on-screen sprites and amount of animation. [1] It contained over 2,000 unique sprites and over 100 animated moves. [3] Billy Cain, a designer at EA subsidiary Origin Systems, was brought to assist in during the final months of production because it was running behind schedule. [4] [5] The game was released on console in December 1994. [1] [6] [7]

A DOS CD-ROM version was handled by Creative Assembly, a small UK team which got its start converting Amiga titles to PC. They had established a connection with EA by doing the same with FIFA International Soccer earlier in 1994 and had pioneered the use of live, reaction commentary within the game, a feature that would become an industry standard. [8] [9] Rugby World Cup '95, now fully-titled Rugby World Cup 1995 on PC, would also be upgraded with commentary. [10] The 1995 Genesis EA Sports title Australian Rugby League used the same engine as Rugby World Cup '95. [11] [12]

Reception

Next Generation reviewed the Genesis version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "Rugby World Cup '95 is a quality sports game serving as a great welcome to the sport of rugby, oh, and not to mention the game is damn fun." [21] Mean Machines Sega magazine rated the Genesis version 90% and described it as "a spot-on conversion" of the sport. They described the player animation as "superb", noted that there was no evident slowdown when all thirty players appeared on screen at once, and noted that "absolute control is offered over the players" [1]

Stuart Campbell reviewed the DOS version in the UK's PC Gamer , criticising the isometric perspective by stating it was difficult to work out where on the pitch the action was taking place from the markings and where other players on the team were located. He also noted that possession of the ball after a tackle appears to be decided at random, and the kicking controls take too long for the player to carry out and usually get interrupted by a tackle as a result. Awarding the game a score of 52%, Campbell's overall verdict was that it "concentrates on realism at the expense of gameplay, but doesn't make a very good job of either". [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">32X</span> Video game console add-on

The 32X is an add-on for the Sega Genesis video game console. Codenamed "Project Mars", it was designed to expand the power of the Genesis and serve as a transitional console into the 32-bit era until the release of the Sega Saturn. The 32X uses its own ROM cartridges and has its own library of games. It was distributed under the name Super 32X in Japan and South Korea, Genesis 32X in North America, Mega 32X in Brazil, and Mega Drive 32X in all other regions.

<i>Sonic 3D Blast</i> 1996 video game

Sonic 3D Blast, known in PAL regions as Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island, is a 1996 platform game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Genesis and Sega Saturn. As Sonic the Hedgehog, the player embarks on a journey to save the Flickies, birds enslaved by Doctor Robotnik. The player must guide Sonic through a series of themed levels to collect Flickies and defeat Robotnik. Though it retains game mechanics from prior Sonic games, Sonic 3D Blast is differentiated by its 2D isometric perspective, with pre-rendered 3D models converted into sprites.

<i>FIFA International Soccer</i> 1993 video game

FIFA International Soccer is a 1993 association football video game developed by EA Canada's Extended Play Productions team and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis console in December 1993 and ported to numerous other systems in 1994. It is the first game in the FIFA series.

<i>Madden NFL 98</i> 1997 American football video game

Madden NFL 98 is a 1997 football video game. It was the last edition of the Madden series to be released for the Super NES, Genesis and Sega Saturn platforms, as well as the last Madden game to utilize 2D sprites for the players and referee, on 3D playing fields.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sega Genesis</span> Home video game console

The Sega Genesis, known as the Mega Drive outside North America, is a 16-bit fourth generation home video game console developed and sold by Sega. It was Sega's third console and the successor to the Master System. Sega released it in 1988 in Japan as the Mega Drive, and in 1989 in North America as the Genesis. In 1990, it was distributed as the Mega Drive by Virgin Mastertronic in Europe, Ozisoft in Australasia, and Tectoy in Brazil. In South Korea, it was distributed by Samsung Electronics as the Super Gam*Boy and later the Super Aladdin Boy.

<i>Rings of Power</i> (video game) 1992 video game

Rings of Power is a 1992 role-playing video game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Electronic Arts (EA) for the Sega Genesis. The player takes on the role of an apprentice sorcerer named Buc, whose quest is to assemble a team of adventurers and collect eleven rings to defeat the evil god Void.

<i>NHL 96</i> 1995 ice hockey video game

NHL 96 is a 1995 sports video game developed by EA Tiburon for the SNES, High Score Productions for the Sega Genesis, EA Canada for DOS, and Probe Entertainment for the Game Boy. EA Sports published all versions of the game except the Game Boy version, which was published by THQ. The game is based on the sport of ice hockey and puts the player in control of a hockey team in modes of play such as exhibitions, seasons and playoffs. It is the fifth installment in the NHL game series.

<i>NHL 97</i> 1996 video game

NHL 97 is an ice hockey video game by EA Sports. It was released in 1996 and was the successor to NHL 96. It is the sixth installment of the NHL series and the first to be released on both PlayStation and Saturn. A Panasonic M2 version was in development and slated to be one of the launch titles for it, but never happened due to the cancellation of the system.

<i>Spot Goes To Hollywood</i> 1995 video game

Spot Goes to Hollywood is a platform game developed by Eurocom and published by Acclaim Entertainment in North America and Virgin Interactive Entertainment in Europe for the Mega Drive/Genesis as the sequel to Cool Spot. Saturn and PlayStation versions were later released with full-motion video clips and isometric graphics. The player controls Spot, the mascot of the 7 Up soft drink, as he travels to various places trying to free his friends.

<i>NHL 94</i> 1993 video game

NHL '94 is an ice hockey game by EA Sports for the Sega Genesis, Super NES, and Sega CD, as well as the first release for the PC (DOS), simply titled NHL Hockey, without the "'94" in the title. The third game in the NHL series media franchise, it was released in September 1993 for the Sega Genesis and November 1993 for the Super Nintendo. The game was the first in the series to be officially licensed by both the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA). NHL '94 launched to critical acclaim, and it has since been referred to as one of the greatest sports video games of all time.

<i>Fever Pitch Soccer</i> 1995 video game

Fever Pitch Soccer, known as Head-On Soccer in North America, is a soccer video game originally developed and published by U.S. Gold for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive in 1995.

<i>FIFA Soccer 96</i> 1995 video game

FIFA Soccer 96 is a football video game developed by Extended Play Productions and released by Electronic Arts in 1995. It was released for the Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Saturn, Sega 32X, Game Gear, PlayStation, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and MS-DOS compatible operating systems.

<i>FIFA Soccer 95</i> 1994 video game

FIFA Soccer 95 is a 1994 football video game developed and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released for the Sega Mega Drive in November 1994. It is a sequel to FIFA International Soccer and the second game in the FIFA series.

<i>PGA Tour Golf III</i> 1994 video game

PGA Tour Golf III is a sports video game developed by American studio Hitmen Productions and published by EA Sports for Sega Genesis in 1994 as the third mainline entry in the PGA Tour series. A Macintosh version co-developed by Manley & Associates was released in 1995. Ports were also announced for the Super NES, Game Boy, and Game Gear as part of 1995 publishing deal between Electronic Arts and THQ. None were released under the title PGA Tour Golf III. However, the next game in the series, PGA Tour 96, did show up on those consoles that year.

<i>Road Rash</i> (1991 video game) 1991 racing video game

Road Rash is a 1991 racing and vehicular combat video game originally developed and published by Electronic Arts (EA) for the Sega Genesis. It was subsequently ported to a variety of contemporary systems by differing companies. The game is centered around a series of motorcycle races throughout California that the player must win to advance to higher-difficulty races, while engaging in unarmed and armed combat to hinder the other racers.

<i>Midnight Raiders</i> 1994 video game

Midnight Raiders is a live-action, full-motion video game developed by American studio Stargate Productions and published by Sega for the Sega CD in North America in 1994 and PAL regions in 1995.

<i>NHL All-Star Hockey 95</i> 1995 video game

NHL All-Star Hockey '95 is a sports video game developed by Sega Midwest Studio and published by Sega for the Genesis in February 1995. Separate versions, both titled NHL All-Star Hockey, were released for the Game Gear and Sega Saturn also in 1995. Versions for the 32X and Sega CD were reported but never released.

<i>John Madden Football</i> (1994 video game) 1994 American football video game

John Madden Football is a sports video game developed by High Score Productions and published by EA Sports exclusively for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. It is part of the Madden NFL series of games.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Swan, Gus; Merrett, Steve (December 1994). "MegaDrive Review: Rugby World Cup '95". Mean Machines Sega . No. 26. EMAP. pp. 92–4. ISSN   0960-4952.
  2. ↑ Yarwood, Jack (December 26, 2023). "The Making of FIFA International Soccer, The Game That Launched A Billion Dollar Series". Time Extension. Archived from the original on December 31, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  3. ↑ Marke, Chris (December 1995). "MegaDrive Preview: Rugby World Cup 1995". Sega Pro . No. 39. Paragon Publishing. pp. 24–5. ISSN   0964-2641.
  4. ↑ Moore, Michael E.; Novak, Jeannie (2010). Game Development Essentials: Game Industry Career Guide. Delmar, Cengage Learning. p. 65. ISBN   978-1-4283-7647-2.
  5. ↑ Lesnick, Ben (September 21, 2007). "WC2 SNES Revisited". Wing Commander Combat Information Center. Archived from the original on September 20, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Patterson, Mark; Lord, Gary (December 1994). "CVG Review: Rugby World Cup" (PDF). Computer and Video Games . No. 157. Future plc. pp. 90–1. ISSN   0261-3697.
  7. ↑ EGM staff (December 1994). "Team EGM: Rugby World Cup 1995". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 65. Sendai Publishing. p. 248. ISSN   1058-918X.
  8. ↑ PC Gamer staff (November 2011). "The Making of... Shogun: Total War". PC Gamer . No. 232. Future plc. p. 186. ISSN   1080-4471.
  9. ↑ Dean, Paul (September 17, 2012). "Creation Legend: The history of The Creative Assembly". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  10. ↑ Gollan, Stuart (April 6, 2016). "One game at a time: Video games of the rugby codes (Part VI)". Stevivor. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  11. ↑ Andreadis, Kosta (November 16, 2017). "Celebrating 30 Years of Creative Assembly". AusGamers . Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  12. ↑ Stretch Armstrong (December 1995). "ARL Rugby League: Review Mega Drive". Hyper . No. 25. nextmedia. p. 47. ISSN   1320-7458.
  13. ↑ Jones, George (November 1995). "Review: Sophisticated Violence". Computer Gaming World . No. 136. Ziff Davis. pp. 212, 214. ISSN   0744-6667.
  14. ↑ Iceman; Video Cowboy. "Team EGM: Rugby World Cup 1995 by Electronic Arts". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 66. Sendai Publishing. p. 210. ISSN   1058-918X.
  15. ↑ Game Informer staff (January 1995). "At a Glance: Rugby World Cup – EA Sports". Game Informer . No. 21. Sunrise Publications. p. 17. ISSN   1067-6392.
  16. ↑ Game Players (April 1995). "GP Sports Review: Rugby World Cup '95". Game Players . No. 70. Imagine Media. p. 58. ISSN   1087-2779.
  17. ↑ Greasy Gus (February 1995). "The Sports Page: No Pads or Helmets, But Good Rugby Fun – Rugby World Cup '95" (PDF). GamePro . No. 67. IDG. p. 114. ISSN   1042-8658.
  18. ↑ Stretch Armstrong (February 1995). "Review: Rugby World Cup 95". Hyper . No. 15. nextmedia. pp. 46–7. ISSN   1320-7458.
  19. ↑ Wheeler, Chris (September 1995). "bytesize: Rugby World Cup 1995". Hyper . No. 22. nextmedia. p. 68. ISSN   1320-7458.
  20. ↑ Bonnet, Jérôme (July 1995). "Rugby World Cup 1995: Une lacune de comblée!" [Rugby World Cup 1995: A gap filled!]. Joystick (in French). No. 62. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. p. 85. ISSN   1145-4806.
  21. 1 2 Next Generation staff (March 1995). "Finals". Next Generation . No. 3. Imagine Media. p. 101. ISSN   1078-9693.
  22. 1 2 Campbell, Stuart (August 1995). "Rugby World Cup 95 Review". PC Gamer (21). Future plc. ISSN   1080-4471.
  23. ↑ Webster, Garrick (September 1995). "Rugby World Cup 1995". CD-ROM Today . No. 17. Imagine Publishing. p. 83. ISSN   1069-4099.
  24. ↑ Sariban, Mark (March 1995). "Mega Drive Review: Rugby World Cup 1995". MegaZone . No. 49. Mason Stewart Publishing. pp. 34–5. ISSN   1321-8131.
  25. ↑ Stangl, Florian (September 1995). "Spiele-test: Rugby World Cup 1995". PC Player (in German). Future Verlag. pp. 124–5. ISSN   0943-6693.
  26. ↑ Leadbetter, Richard; Laurence, Edward (January 1995). "Mega Drive Review: Rugby World Cup 1995". Sega Magazine . No. 13. EMAP. pp. 106–7. ISSN   1360-9424.
  27. ↑ Hill, Mark (January 1995). "Review: Rugby World Cup 1995". Sega Pro . No. 40. Paragon Publishing. pp. 38–9. ISSN   0964-2641.
  28. ↑ Tschiltsch, Jeffrey (February 1995). "Genesis: Rugby World Cup 1995". VideoGames . No. 73. Larry Flynt Publications. p. 85. ISSN   1059-2938.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.