Speedball 2 - Brutal Deluxe
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
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Brutal Deluxe doesn't live up to their name - in fact they're the worst team Speedball has ever seen. As their manager, it is your job to transform their fortunes. As well as the league system, which consists of 2 8-team divisions and challenges you to advance to the top, there are also 2 cup tournaments, one of which is played out over 2 'legs' with the aggregate score deciding who progresses.

You can play the matches as well, which is the real meat of the game. They consist of 2 90-second periods, and the gameplay is futuristic, fast and frantic, with heavy tackling encouraged to retrieve the ball. Power-ups and tokens appear on the pitch, including ones to make your players extra-tough or freeze the opponents.

The sides of the pitch each include a score multiplier, which you can run the ball through to increase the value of your scoring - the opposition can sometimes immediately grab the ball and nullify this. There are also 5 stars which are worth 2 points each if you hit them (more if you have the multiplier activated), but these can also be cancelled out by the opposition hitting the same star, and their points values only become set after the half. Next to the stars there are 'portals' which throw the ball out the opposite side of the pitch, in the direction it was going.

You get money for the results, and by collecting the silver tokens which appear on the pitch at random intervals. Between each match you can spend these either on improving your existing players as far as they can go, or on buying better ones and fitting them into the team. Your original players can only be improved to a certain extent, so remembering where your signed players are and making use of them is important.

A variety of tokens also appear during the match, some of which boost your team's power for a short period of time, and one freezes the opposition.

Trivia

The MegaDrive version that went out in Japan had silver and gold teams rather than red and blue. 

This game was voted as the third best Amiga game ever in three of Amiga Power's all-time Top 100 lists - April 1991, May 1992 and May 1994 (coming 4th in 1993)

The Genesis port is a very quiet port, a lot of sound effects have been left out.

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Description from the packaging:

It's not about wins and losses...
It's about life and death.

Speedball: A vicious game of physical dominance, animalistic intimidation and reckless destruction. Strategy is vital to scoring points- but it's brute force that keeps you alive. As the newly assigned player-manager of Brutal Deluxe- perennial cellar-dweller in the 16-team World Speedball League- you alone can direct the greatest team turnaround in League history.
In the front office, you control player trades and roster changes. At the workout gym, you determine how best to develop your team. But your greatest impact will be on the deadly playfield itself. That is...if you dare face the challenge of a real sport.

The sequel to the original, award-winning Speedball- Speedball 2 is now improved and upgraded to include:
16-Team League in two divisions.
Wide variety of player armor and equipment.
Instant replay of all goals.
League, cup, practice and knockout game modes.
Team, group, or individual player attribute upgrades include attack, defense, speed, throwing, stomping, energy and aggression.
Ambulance drones to carry off disabled players.
New larger playfield adds depth and dimension as well as countless new scoring opportunities.

Programmed by the Bitmap Brothers.
A deadly sport that combines the strategy of hockey, the finesse of basketball and the brute force of football.
A wide assortment or armor and equipment can enhance player attributes for any individual or the entire 12-man team.
Move and pass the ball in any of eight directions while evading the defenders' jumps, slides, and tackles.
Create your own team by buying, selling, and trading key players and axing those who don't make the grade.


http://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/speedball-2-brutal-deluxe
