___ ___ | . / \ | | __ _ | _ __ --|-- _ __ _ |--- \/ \ | / \ | / \ \/ | | / \ \ / | / \ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |___ | | \_/ \___/ \_/| | | \_ \_/ | | \_/| ___ | | | | | | _ _ --|-- | _ | | |--- / \ / \ | |__ / \ | | | | | | | | | \ | | | | | \_/ \_/ \_ |__/ \_/| | | ____ _ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ ___ ____ / __| | | | | / \ | | | | | __| | \ | | / \ | __| | / | |_| | / _ \ | | | | | |__ | \ | | | /\_\ | |__ | | | _ | | /_\ | | | | | | __| | |\ \| | | | ___ | __| | | | | | | | _ | | | | | | | | | \ \ | | ||_ | | | | \__ | | | | | | | | | |__ | |__ | |__ | | \ | | \/ / | |__ \____| |_| |_| |_| |_| |____| |____| |____| |_| |_| \___/ |____| (a.k.a. World Soccer '94: Road to Glory) =============================================================================== Table of Contents =============================================================================== [INTRO] Introduction [CONTR] Controls [MODES] Modes of Play [STRAT] Strategies [QUEST] Frequently Asked Questions [VERSN] Version History [COPYR] Copyright [CONTC] Contact Information Navigation tip: Press Ctrl and F to bring down a search bar. Then type in the name of the section you're looking for - like [VERSN] for the Version History. =============================================================================== Introduction [INTRO] =============================================================================== I haven't been quite as active in FAQ-writing the past few weeks, but that might change if I can convince enough people to join me in starting an organized Super NES Completion Project. What's more, I'm now the world's 15th most prolific FAQ writer (measured by complete guides), and I have to keep writing to stay ahead of the ever-hungry pack of potential challengers! Is Eric Cantona Football Challenge realistic? No. Frustrating? Occasionally. But fun and exciting? Absolutely. This is one of numerous soccer games released for the Super NES in 1993 and 1994, just before the USA World Cup. While FIFA International Soccer is almost universally acknowledged as the best soccer game of its time (and its sequels the best soccer games even today), Cantona provides more of an arcade feel than the FIFA games, and that might be appealing to many players. The most noticeable feature about this game is its speed. All the players are extremely fast, and quick reflexes will usually win out over skill or even real soccer knowledge. The graphics are rather average for a Super NES soccer game. An an amateur programmer, though, I should note that the rotation and scaling effects on the opening screen are pretty cool for 1993. Some teams, like England, include players of two different races. The menu music is bouncy and jubilant, if not downright goofy. I like it and even used it in one of my "fan games." Really. The play control is a little limited, but it's pretty easy to learn. Beating the weaker opponents will pose little difficulty even to inexperienced players, but in later rounds of tournaments, you'll face lightning-quick players that can strike very quickly. If possible, I recommend using the French version of the game (known as Eric Cantona Football Challenge) over the U.S. version, since the European game uses the names of actual players. It doesn't really matter too much, though, since the games are basically the same. Plus, you can change the names of players and even teams, so you can change lineups to those used in the actual 1994 World Cup (teams are based on early 1993) or even club teams or today's national teams. The player ratings don't make much sense, but having 64 teams with 16- man rosters gives you a lot to choose from. One small irritation is there's no button to back up to the previous screen on the menu screens, and there are also aren't any club teams. Overall, I think Eric Cantona Football Challenge succeeds at being a fairly fun game. And even if you don't like the lack of realism, two-player games make it a real winner. =============================================================================== Controls [CONTR] =============================================================================== Control Pad: Move players Y: Very short pass/diving header A: Short pass X: Show team strategy/view kick trajectory on free kicks B: Long ball/shot with ball, or sliding tackle on defense L: Change formation (while holding X) R: Change strategy (while holding X) START: View replay SELECT: Pause the game; press B while paused to quit the game Remember that you can use the Control Pad to "steer" any ball while it's in the air. Also, the longer you hold a button, the harder the shot will be. ---Replays--- X: Slow forward A: Slow rewind L: Frame-by-frame reverse R: Frame-by-frame forward B/Y: Pause ENTER: Resume game Replay control buttons must be held for them to have any effect. If you don't push any buttons, the replay will progress at real speed and loop back to the beginning once it reaches the end. =============================================================================== Modes of Play [MODES] =============================================================================== There are quite a few different ways to play this game. ---Friendly Game--- This lets you play a single game using the teams of your choice. You can play against the computer or a friend, and you have great control over the rules in which the game is played. You can change the condition of the field and the weather, and using the "Abilities" menu (found at the bottom of the Options screen), you can even change the speed and other attributes of the players. ---Super Cup--- This is a World Cup-style tournament. If you keep winning, you'll eventually receive a trophy and have an opportunity to play some very strong hidden teams like Atlus and Rage in a group stage, with the Special Cup at stake. In this and all other series of games, you'll receive a password after each game, which you can use to resume your progress (select "Enter Password" for the corresponding mode). Write down each password when you reach one - and record it carefully! ---World Knockout--- This sets up a straight-elimination tournament using 8, 16, 32, or all 64 teams. On the team selection screen, press B to select the teams participating in the tournament. Teams marked with "C" are computer-controlled, and "P" means a human will take control of those teams. You can also choose the "Randomise" (spelled that way even in the U.S. version) option for a random draw. ---World League--- World League lets you play a round-robin league with anywhere between two and 16 teams. Again, you can decide which teams are human- or computer-controlled. When you're done selecting the teams, select "Play" at the bottom-right corner and let the games begin. ---Indoor Football--- Known as "Indoor Soccer" in the U.S. version, this allows you to play any of the four modes listed above, except you're playing in an indoor stadium. Indoor games include only five players and a goalkeeper on each team, so you won't be able to make substitutions or change team strategies. Also, since the playing field is surrounded by a wall, the ball will never leave play. Otherwise, it's about like regular soccer. ---Practice--- Shoot Out is a penalty kick shootout against the computer. 2-Player Shoot Out is a PK tiebreaker involving two human players (assuming two controllers are connected to the Super NES). Ball Control is a boring mode where you kick the ball around for practice. It's good for the first time you play Eric Cantona Football Challenge, though. ---Edit Squads--- This feature allows you to change the names of any of the players and teams in the game. You can also change a team's uniform design. ---Options--- Hear you can disable or enable the bouncy menu music, change the controller configuration, and see which teams have won championships, both for outdoor and indoor play. =============================================================================== Strategies [STRAT] =============================================================================== Here are some strategies used in various aspects of this game. ---Object of the Game--- In soccer, you win the game by scoring more goals than the opponent. And you score goals by kicking the ball into the net. You probably know that. Remember that you're always aiming for the "north" goal in the first half, and you change sides after halftime. Also, remember that while games are short, they will go a few seconds longer than the specified time due to "injury time," which the referee calls to make up any time lost because the clock was running during a stoppage, such as when a player was wasting time on a free kick or being treated for injury. ---Substitutions--- On the "Abilities" screen, select "Change Squad" and press B to highlight the player who want to take out, and then press B to pick the player you want to bring in. The substitution controls are kind of confusing at first. Be sure to put your best 11 men in the lineup; most teams need a few changes. Also, under the Strategies menu, use Up or Down on the Control Pad to select the system you want to change, and press B to cycle through the various strategies. ---Formations--- 4-4-2 is the most frequently-used system in soccer and features four defenders, four midfielders, and two forwards. This is the default formation, and it's the recommended formation for beginners. However, there's often a big gap between the center and wing backs, and other formations often facilitate better attacking play. 4-2-4 is another good choice, especially when you're behind and need a goal. The four forwards make it much easier to score goals off balls that hit the post or get dropped by the goalkeeper. Years ago, the 4-2-4 was the leading tactical system in soccer. 5-3-2 isn't that different from the 4-4-3, but the extra defender should eliminate any problems with holes in the defense. 1-4-3-2 is similar to the 5-3-2, except there's a "sweeper" who always stays very far back near the center of the defense. The other defenders play a bit farther forward. 4-3-3 is a fairly balanced approach that works well for those who like wide- open play. 2-3-5 should only be used in desperate situations, since it leaves you with just two defenders. 3-5-2 is a good choice if you like long strings of passes in the midfield. 5-4-1 is very defensive and should leave a very solid defense. Having only forward can make it tough to score goals, but it might work if you like chances at breakaways. ---Styles of Play--- Normal: A normal strategy. Breakaway: Not that different from Normal, but I think the central midfielders tend to go forward more. Cautious: The midfielders won't get near the box unless there's a good chance to score. Defensive: Your players rarely get close to the goal, so use this only when you're trying to protect a big lead. And personally, I prefer to keep playing hard even when I'm ahead. Open Play: A very wide-open style, with most of the players spread quite far apart. The only problem is that your teammates might be off the screen. Attack: The midfielders are willing to go quite a bit farther up the field than usual, which is useful against weaker teams or when you need a goal fast. ---Scoring Goals--- Against weaker teams, the best way to play is this: Have your goalkeeper or one of your defenders pass the ball to one of your faster players, and dribble straight up the field. The opponents probably won't try to challenge you, but if they do, pass to one of your strikers. Then approach either side of the goal, and aim diagonally for the opposite post. You should score. In later rounds of tournaments, however, the computer will play much more aggressively. If you use your old strategies, you'll probably get hit by a nasty tackle and lose possession of the ball. Instead, you'll have to keep passing the ball to your teammates in order to advance up the field. You can also hang out in the box and wait for an opponent to tackle you. If you're lucky, the referee will call a foul and you'll get a chance for a penalty kick. That's so Paraguayan. Another effective way to score goals begins with a very hard shot straight at the opposing goalkeeper, which will usually be dropped. If a teammate is nearby, he should be able to dump the ball into the back of the net before the goalkeeper can get back into position. Yet another good way to score is by using a B-button cross to a teammate in the penalty area. Then hold B before the teammate gets the ball. If you aim this quick shot properly, you'll score a spectacular-looking goal. This is especially effective when using a 4-2-4 formation. Long-range goals are nearly impossible in this game. ---Defense--- When you don't have the ball, you have two options: You can approach the opponent with the ball and steal the ball away, or you can press B to attempt a sliding tackle. The latter method is useful against faster players on better teams but can get you called for a foul. The more violent challenges will result in a yellow card. Players who have received yellow cards will have a yellow card icon over their number, and if they get another caution, they'll receive a red card and be ejected from the game. ---The Kickoff--- Press B and move diagonally to get your player in position to take the ball. ---Throw-Ins--- Press B to throw the ball to the nearest player, who can be moved using the Control Pad. ---Free Kicks--- On a free kick, hold A for a short pass, or press B for a long ball. Use Left or Right on Control Pad to rotate the shot's target, and Up or Down to change between a low and high trajectory. Don't forget that you can curl the ball in midair using the Control Pad. Hold the X button to view all of field and see where the ball will land - ideally, near a teammate. The same strategies also apply to goal kicks and corner kicks. ---Penalty Kicks--- To take a penalty kick, press B as the arrow reaches just the right position - approximately two-thirds away from the center of the goal. Press B lightly to keep the ball on the ground; hold it a bit for a higher ball. If you're the goalkeeper, watch the arrow and be prepared to react (and avoid alcohol and other things that hurt your reaction time and judgment!). You can press B to dive (if moving) or jump (if stationary). Don't forget that if the ball hits the post, you may still be able to score off the rebound (except in penalty kick shootouts, of course). =============================================================================== Frequently Asked Questions [QUEST] =============================================================================== Q: What team is best? A: I can't say objectively, but teams like Brazil, Argentina, and Italy are stronger than those that were weak in real life, like Albania, Canada, or Malawi. The best teams, however, are the Rage and Atlus squads, which replace Albania and Algeria in the team listings if you win a championship. These all- star teams have such speed, however, they can be difficult to handle. Q: What do the various options do? A: I'll explain some of the game options, though not all apply to all modes. * Match Length is the number of minutes each game will last. Surprise! * Extra Time determines the length of the extra period played if a game is tied at the end of regulation. * Shoot Out decides if there will be a penalty kick shootout if a friendly game is tied at the end of extra time. * Pitch Surface changes field conditions in outdoor friendlies; wet surfaces are slower than drier ones. * Wind Strength can affect the flight of the ball. * New FIFA Rules affects whether or not extra time will use the "Golden Goal" (sudden death) rules - since abolished. * Auto Keeper will, when turned on, make the goalkeeper kick the ball upfield automatically after saved shots on target. Q: What do those silly messages on the scoreboard mean? A: If one player holds the ball too long, "BORING" appears, and "NICE PLAY" means you've made several successful passes in a row. "GOOD MOVE" appears if you take a shot immediately after a long string of passes. "EASY EASY" is displayed for unassisted goals. "THE REF NEEDS GLASSES" occurs on some (but not all) tackles where a player falls down but the referee doesn't call a foul or a yellow card. Q: What's wrong with the Russian flag? A: The blue and red stripes are reversed. Stupid. The flags of Argentina and El Salvador is oversimplified, and the flag of Ecuador looks like Colombia (Ecuador's yellow stripe should be the same length as the other stripes). Q: Who is Eric Cantona? A: Eric Cantona was a star forward for various French clubs in the 1980's, reaching his peak at Manchester United, where he played from 1992 to 1997. He was a great player, but he could be difficult to get along with and was often out of the French national team because of his problems with coaches, including at the 1998 World Cup. This contributed to his retirement at age 30. Q: Any other random notes? A: Only a few this time: * After saves, the goalie takes control automatically unless "Auto Keeper" is turned OFF. * This game includes every CONMEBOL (South American) team. * Every UEFA (Europe) team of that time appears in the game except for Yugoslavia, which was banned from international competition for being at war with itself. FIFA doesn't like civil war and that sort of thing. * The U.S. version of the game doesn't have a language-select prompt at the opening screen. =============================================================================== Version History [VERSN] =============================================================================== Date | Version | Size | --------|---------|------|----------------------------------------------------- 6- 8-09 | 0.1 | 1KB | Began guide. 6- 9-09 | 0.5 | 12KB | Completed basic guide framework. 6-11-09 | 1.0 | 22KB | Finished the guide. 8- 7-09 | 1.1 | 22KB | Made a few adjustments and clarifications. =============================================================================== Copyright [COPYR] =============================================================================== (c) 2009 Vinny Hamilton. All rights reserved. All copyrights mentioned in this guide are property of their respective holders. * You can print this guide out for your personal use. * You can download this guide to your computer for your personal use. * You can post this guide on your Web site as long as you give proper credit AND you don't change a single letter, number, or symbol (not even an tilde). * Remember that the latest version will always be available at GameFAQs.com, but don't count on there being frequent (if any) updates. * You can translate this guide into a foreign language (British, Southern, Australian, and New Yorker are not considered foreign languages) as long as you ask permission first. * You can't post this guide on your Web site and then say you wrote the guide yourself. * You can't post this guide on Web sites that contain (or have links to sites that contain) explicit depictions of unclothed humans (also known as pornography), racism, gambling, or flattery of totalitarian regimes. * You can't post this guide on your Web site if you're going to change anything in this guide that took me so many hours to write. If you don't comply with these guidelines, your hard drive will be reformatted inexplicably and you will suffer from constipation for the rest of your life. Heed this warning. =============================================================================== Contact Information [CONTC] =============================================================================== If you have any questions or comments about this guide, please send an e-mail to VHamilton002@gmail.com. That's zero-zero-two, by the way. Remember that not all e-mail messages will be read. Please follow these guidelines: * Do include "Eric Cantona" in the subject line. * Do send polite suggestions for ways to make this walkthrough better. * Do tell me about any errors or omissions you find in this guide. * Do send information about any glitches, tricks, or codes you discover in this game. * Do ask any questions you have about Eric Cantona Football Challenge gameplay. I will respond eventually if you follow all of these rules. * Do make a reasonable effort to use decent spelling, grammar, usage, punctuation, and capitalization so I can understand what you're trying to say. * Do use patience. I check my e-mail quite sporadically. * Do not send spam, pornography, chain letters, "flaming," or anything that contains profanity or vulgarity. Again, violating this rule will result in deletion of the message and permanent constipation. And lastly, a public service message: Fight for and affirm the rights of all humans, regardless of race, age, or creed! And... Avoid the influence of drugs and drunkenness, especially when driving. No one's likely going to read this, anyway. For my brother, even when he irks me