Summary
Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe took the idea of a friendly sports match, threw it out of an airlock, and replaced it with metal armour and flying elbows. Set in a futuristic arena where goals were optional and violence was encouraged, every match felt like organised chaos. Crowd-triggered score multipliers, brutal tackles, and rapid-fire pacing made it endlessly addictive. Winning felt glorious; losing felt personal.
What it does well
Fast-paced, brutally fun cyber-sport action with tight controls, striking graphics, and a wickedly addictive mix of violence and strategy.
Where it falls short
Can feel overwhelming at first, steep difficulty spikes, and matches rarely give you time to breathe.
Verdict
A timeless masterpiece of the 16-bit era, that perfectly balances accessible arcade action with deep team management.