Subbuteo Mobile
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| Subbuteo Mobile

The world is falling in on itself. Now, not only are there games that replicate games, but there are games that replicate those games that replicate other games. It's as if we're trapped in some kind of vortex; in years gone by, those who had a love of football but were useless with their pins turned to Subbuteo and flicked their way to glory. Now there's an option for those of us who are useless at flicking, too – yes, now we can tap buttons instead.

Joining the scores of plain old footie titles that have marched onto the mobile, we now have a version of Subbuteo that attempts to replicate its finger flicking fun on a handset near you. The only problem is, it has about as much life in it as a burst football. In terms of authenticity, aficionados will note that it's all here, but games don't feel much more by the numbers than this – this is Subbuteo without soul.

Fans of the franchise will feel immediately at home; like Subbuteo itself, Subbuteo Mobile plays around with the rules of football to accommodate its flick-based nature. As only one player can play at a time, possession passes from one person to the next should the ball hit a player on the opposing team, or you fail to touch the ball during your turn. The only addition is a timer that gives you 20 seconds to make your four moves each turn, helping move play along swiftly.

Subbuteo Mobile also keeps you informed as to just what is required at all times. There are two information bars on the screen – one that appears at the bottom, informing you of who is in possession and whose move it is, and one at the top that acts as a tutorial, giving you general play tips, although this one can be switched off if you so wish.

Choosing who to play is equally clear-cut, with the screen moving left and right from player to player by tapping '4' or '6'. It then becomes a matter of choosing the power you want to flick your player with, the direction and the curve – though getting the combination right so you don't accidentally hit a rival, giving away a free kick in the process, is easier said than done. There is plenty of room here for the dedicated to sharpen up on their skills and almost make an art form of the game's slow and stagnant play, if they have the will to do so.

But that's Subbuteo Mobile's fundamental flaw – it's a quick-fix attempt at bringing a game that has a massive and loyal fanbase to the mobile. For starters, one of the big draws of Subbuteo is its dedication to the sport it replicates. It's almost like a form of trainspotting; every team, every strip and every player is replicated in the real game, but in Subbuteo Mobile only 16 national squads are available. When you consider that they're populated by the likes of 'Rodney' and 'Krooch', it's painfully obvious that licensing issues have hit the game rather hard.

For those who want something to grab hold of there is a full championship mode to keep you entertained. But without any music, graphical flair or even a sense of fun, Subbuteo Mobile is a severe let down for anyone looking to recapture the passion they have for the physical versions on their phone. It works, but it also doesn't quite work. I did warn you that we were trapped in a vortex.

Subbuteo Mobile

An entirely conservative, functional and ever-so-slightly boring interpretation of Subbuteo, without any licensed teams or players
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Keith Andrew
Keith Andrew
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font. He's also Pocket Gamer's resident football gaming expert and, thanks to his work on PG.biz, monitors the market share of all mobile OSes on a daily basis.