Speedball 2100 - PlayStation

There was a time in the early 1990’s when the Bitmap Brothers rocked a large number of gamers’ worlds with the Amiga and Megadrive versions of Speedball 2. A tribute of sorts to films such as ‘Rollerball’ and oft-overlooked ice hockey bruise-fest ‘Slap Shot’, the game was a riot of clanging metal, shuddering impacts and seriously tough body blows. Oh, and trying to put the steel ball in the opposing team’s goal was an option too. Those who fall into the bracket of PSX owner/nostalgia freak can get excited once more as Speedball makes its return.

Speedball 2100 is pretty much the same deal as the older versions, but for those too young to remember, or maybe those who’ve taken too many head punches, here’s a summary of what goes on. You take charge of a team of bottom division losers, Brutal Deluxe, and with sheer bloody-mindedness, dirty tactics and plain old brute force, attempt to take them to the top of the tree. Scoring points is not limited to putting the ball past the keeper. Take out the keeper himself, or any of the opposing team for that matter, and extra points are yours. You can also add to your tally by hitting targets on the sides of the playing area. There are cash pick-ups in the arena too, and collecting these as you sever the limbs and spill the blood of the opposition allows you to invest in meaner players, making your passage to the higher division just a mite easier.

Not for the faint-hearted, Speedball 2100 starts out tough and gets harder and harder as you progress. This game really does throw down the gauntlet right from the off, and after just one match you’ll feel as if you’ve been through the mangle. Get used to it, ‘cos Speedball 2100 does not let up. Unless you’re something of a super-human, there’s a lot of game-play in Speedball 2100 simply because it will take a while to master. Perseverance will eventually reap its rewards and you’ll be busting skulls with alarming regularity. Do try this at home!
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