Sorry for any unpleasant smells during this review but (thanks to a rather dodgy curry, and via a rather crafty extension lead for my Speccy) this round up of Empire's soccer compilation is being brought to you from the comfort of the toilet. (Flush.) Off we go then.
    
Kick Off 2
It would be a crime to mention Kick Off 2 without at least one reference to the 16bit version, which is possibly the best footy game ever, and to Kick Off 1 which, Speccy-wise at least, really was a pile of old jobs. (Flush again.)
    KO2, however, is good stuff. The action is extremely fast, frantic, overhead and, as ever, best enjoyed with a pal. The main differences between this and the original is that you can't get the ball to stick to your feet, but there are a variety of tweakable (if rather ineffective) options to alter everything from team tactics to wind. Ahem. 87°
    
Microprose Soccer
This one's pretty top too. With larger more spritely graphics than Kick Off 2, Microprose Soccer boasts all sorts of matches to choose from, including an international challenge, American rules six-a-side or simple two player games both indoor with walls or outdoors where it may even rain. In fact, for speed, presentation, realism and trick shots (including overhead and banana kicks), you can't get much better than this. 89°
    
Gazza 2
Despite what thoughts the name may call up, Gazza 2 is actually a competent little game. Reasons for this include the smooth left to right scrolling, a simple look and pleasing controls and speed which equals Kick Off 2. More importantly, the game also involves a complete lack of Gazza himself, give or take the picture on the box, from which the eyes can be diverted with ease. There aren't any cups of leagues or competitions to enter, but Microprose Soccer provides enough of these to kind of cover up for it. 79°
    
Emlyn Hughes International Soccer
This one's a complete let down. It foolishly attempts to combine both management and a slightly more advanced arcade game in one. This creates a heap of unfriendly menus and a disappointingly unrealistic and awkward arcade game. Half your time is spent studying the instructions to see how to actually play the thing. Thanks, but no thanks. 35°
    The comp's a bit of an 82er as Emlyn Hughes lowers the mark considerably. None of these games are available as separate budgies, so getting your hands on two of the best and one still highly enjoyable footy games for the asking price is still a bit of a barg.
    
Many thanks to Andrew West for typing this up

Ratings given by other magazines

7/10

Info supplied by the SPOT*ON database

YS Cross-references
		Emlyn Hughes International Soccer/Audiogenic	YS40	5
		Emlyn Hughes International Soccer/Touchdown	YS80	85
		Gazza II/Empire	YS61	PRE
		Gazza II/Empire	YS62	87
		Kick Off II/Anco	YS53	NEWS
		Kick Off II/Anco	YS60	FUT
		Kick Off II/Anco	YS61	80
		Microprose Soccer/MicroProse Software Ltd (UK)	YS41	FUT
		Microprose Soccer/Microprose	YS42	82
		Microprose Soccer (in The YS Complete Guide To Soccer Games)	YS54	89
Some info from Sinclair Infoseek+SPOT*ON