Nintendo Pocket Football Club

 3DS
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: 07/12/2012 (Japan)
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. Eurogamer Portugal
    Apr 30, 2014
    70
    NPFC gives all the drama and anticipation of football matches, with the player being responsible of the most difficult task of all: to putt a whole team playing good football and achieve the individual goals and expectations of fans.
  2. DarkZero
    Apr 28, 2014
    70
    This is a series that has potential to grow and get better with each sequel, but right now, as Nintendo Pocket Football Club stands, it’s a lovely bite size entry into football management that makes the genre feel more like a charming game with personality, rather than a set of overcomplicated calculations and stats.
  3. 3DJuegos
    Apr 22, 2014
    70
    A singular football manager designed especially for newcomers. Limited options and gameplay with an 8 bit graphical touch.
  5. Eurogamer Spain
    Apr 21, 2014
    70
    This is the kind of game that's better played in small doses, always installed in our memory card as a secondary option. Although it manages to surprise with some little details, it's too simple to be considered as a football simulator and will be more appealing to RPG fans.
  6. Metro GameCentral
    Apr 14, 2014
    70
    Not quite premiere league but Nintendo’s unexpected foray into football management dares to do things differently, and in some cases better, than its rivals.
  7. FNintendo
    Apr 13, 2014
    70
    One doesn't require a fully-accurate (and serious) football management game to have a fun, involving and addictive experience, this is the overall message of Nintendo Pocket Football Club. Its own bright, inviting charisma and enthusiasm are certain to charm a great amount of players, and not for a short time given its long lifespan.
  8. Eurogamer
    Apr 11, 2014
    70
    Its old-fashioned mentality won me over: while other sims can seem to favour a rather coldly analytical approach to management, here you feel as much a fan as a manager, cheering your team on from the sidelines. It might take away much of what makes a truly authentic sim, but in doing so it gives back plenty besides.
  9. Eurogamer Italy
    Apr 11, 2014
    70
    Nintendo Pocket Football Club doesn’t have the depth of games such as Football Manager, but grants players with a light-hearted and engaging experience.
  10. God is a Geek
    Apr 11, 2014
    70
    With four leagues and three cup competitions to win there is a lot of playtime on offer and most of it will be enjoyable, providing you can put up with watching every single game your team ever plays.
  11. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    Jun 2, 2014
    67
    Lack of tactical options makes you feel powerless. [June 2014, p.76]
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  12. Multiplayer.it
    Apr 11, 2014
    65
    Nintendo Pocket Football Club is a charming, interesting but ultimately deeply flawed experience.
  13. The Digital Fix
    Jun 20, 2014
    60
    A solid, charming, cute little football management game just don’t expect a deep strategic simulator.
  14. JeuxActu
    May 12, 2014
    60
    When you know a bit about soccer you can't help but notice Nintendo Pocket Football Club is littered with flaws, making that game unappealing to soccer fans. The game is way too easy to enjoy your team boss role. ParityBit's game still offers an easy approach to the sport making it a good choice for newbies to the sport.
  15. Pocket Gamer UK
    May 9, 2014
    60
    This footie sim's quirks and grind will ensure it remains a downloadable curio, but the presentation and humour is something to see.
  16. Gameblog.fr
    Apr 28, 2014
    60
    Nintendo Pocket Football Club is too tiny to be very interesting, despite a funny environment.
  17. Vandal
    Apr 19, 2014
    60
    It works as a football manager, since it is engaging and deeper than it looks, but watching the AI play gets way too boring.
  18. Games Master UK
    Jun 7, 2014
    58
    Mindlessly distracting. [July 2014, p.78]
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  19. Everyeye.it
    Apr 15, 2014
    55
    Two years after the Japanese release, the only thing that stands out is the pixel-art style.
  20. games(TM)
    Jun 3, 2014
    50
    It doesn't justify the time investment. [Issue#148, p.127]
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  21. Cubed3
    Apr 27, 2014
    50
    It holds amusement for a brief period, but the novelty factor phases out hastily.
  22. Edge Magazine
    Apr 23, 2014
    50
    It’s a cheap thrill, a shallow way to connect input with outcome that doesn’t, in the end, compensate for Pocket Football Club’s lack of responsiveness elsewhere.

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Best 3DS Game of 2012
34
#34 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2012
30
#30 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2012

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 3 out of 31
  1. Zentriefugal
    Apr 25, 2014
    7
    A football manager on a Nintendo system!? Maybe not for everyone but exactly for me!!!

    I don’t like today’s football managing games cause    A football manager on a Nintendo system!? Maybe not for everyone but exactly for me!!!

    I don’t like today’s football managing games cause of their complexity and this game is exactly the opposite. Unfortunately it is a little to puristic and there could be e few more financial options but for me it’s enough to fell in love with it.

    I’m already hoping, that this game series will be continued…    … Full Review »
  2. BIGBenX
    Apr 21, 2014
    10
    Usually, I don't play football managers. But this one got my attention.
    I think it is really great and it's a nice introduction to the    Usually, I don't play football managers. But this one got my attention.
    I think it is really great and it's a nice introduction to the football manager genre. Plus, I didn't want to play a game with too much depth. I wanted something which I could play every now and then without too much thought. It's nice to watch the games and to see the results change with your tactics.
    You can train your individual players with training cards and their skills will rise rpg-like. I actually think there is a big system with many variables at work behind the smooth interface. Like in real life you can't see the mechanics and definite numbers behind the "ecosystem" of the players and their team interaction. But you can change many things which affects your team in many different ways.
    Shortly: It's a really good game and a somehow different approach to a football manager.    … Full Review »
  3. ZaaPOne
    Apr 17, 2014
    9
    Ayant pu toucher au jeu 10 minutes sur une 3DS japonaise je n'ai pas pu voir la vrai qualité de ce jeu qui est un jeu de gestion, jeu quiAyant pu toucher au jeu 10 minutes sur une 3DS japonaise je n'ai pas pu voir la vrai qualité de ce jeu qui est un jeu de gestion, jeu qui demande donc de la patience et de l'investissement au quotidien !
    Mais les graphismes sont splendides, l'effet 3D est tout simplement magnifique et les animations des joueurs sont bien gérées. Et puis c'est un jeu de gestion, ce qui est très rare sur la 3DS !
    Le jeu sort chez moi, en France, dans quelques heures et je voulais être le premier à écrire un avis, mais ma note ne changera pas de par le fait que le jeu ne me décevra pas, c'est sûr !
    Que vous aimiez le foot ou pas, achetez ce jeu, faisons en sortes que ce jeu possède une vraie communauté et qu'il y ait du monde avec qui jouer !
    Il ne coûte que 12 euros en France alors n'hésitez pas une seule seconde !

    [Sorry for americans who tried to read my review but I'm french and it was normal that I wrote it in french]    … Full Review »
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