Here's a game that's about as exhilarating as watching a kangaroo hop through a scrum: it's Jonah Lomu Rugby! Released in 1997 on the PlayStation, this classic not only flaunts a legendary sportsman's name but also delivers some mildly entertaining rugby action that might just make you put down your controller long enough to Google how to actually play the game. Let's find out if it's more of a try or just another way of conducting a fashionably late tackle.
The gameplay experience is kind of like rugby itself; it's chaotic, occasionally confusing, but overall, delightfully engaging! Players can control various national teams from the 1995 Rugby World Cup, including some of the most iconic squads like New Zealand, which boasts our main man, Jonah Lomu - the Hulk of the rugby world, minus the green! There are five modes to explore: Friendly, World Cup, Tournament, Territories Cup, and Classic Matches. You can indulge in single-player or gather your mates for some multiplayer madness up to four players, because nothing says friendship like smashing into each other over an animated rugby ball. In the World Cup mode, you'll experience the glory of leading your favorite team through the same tortuous pools and knockout stages that they faced in an actual tournament. It's kind of like a historical reenactment of sporting events, with much less sweat and a lot more button mashing. The controls are intuitive, making it easy for a newcomer to figure out how to kick, tackle, and pass without calling a timeout like a confused coach. There's also a Classic Matches mode where you can attempt to rewrite history by playing out scenarios of famous clashes. Can you better your team's real-life performance? Or will you just end up being the butt of modern-day rugby banter? The AI can occasionally throw unexpected curveballs, like an actual rugby player giving you advice on the field. So, if you're looking for a widespread challenge or just want to relive some major rugby moments, this game has lots of replay value.
Now, let's talk visuals. Back in '97, the graphics were groundbreaking. Well, maybe if you were playing on 8-bit potato graphics. Jonah Lomu Rugby balls its way in with charmingly blocky character models and slightly pixelated ambience that would have looked dated even in the Jurassic era of gaming. The animations, designed using sprites instead of polygons (thank you, Rage Software), still manage to convey the intensity of a rugby match despite looking like your granddad running alongside a car. Yep, they'll be like 'what even is that attire?' while you cringe in nostalgia. The sound design? Let's just say it's like rugby commentary on caffeine - thrilling yet oddly repetitive, thanks to the legendary duo Bill McLaren and Bill Beaumont guiding you through matches. And the crowd? Just picture a digital stadium of crowds that sound suspiciously like they rehearsed for a British tenors' concert in a bar.
In summary, Jonah Lomu Rugby is a delightful romp into the world of rugby for the PlayStation. It can't compete with the massively polished sports titles of today, and it's not going to win any Oscars for graphics, but it's a piece of nostalgia that tackles with heart. It knows its quirks and flaws, and in a world of all too serious simulations, it wears its flaws like a badge of honor. It's not for the hyper-realistic sports game aficionado, but if you're looking for a game that allows you to recreate legendary matches with a dash of silliness, or simply enjoy an outing with friends, Jonah Lomu Rugby will make you feel like a champion - even if your game-winning try looks more like a toddler's art project. Rugby on the PlayStation? Now that's a tackle worth making.
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