Actua Soccer 3
Actua Soccer 3 is a PlayStation sports game released in 1998 developed by Gremlin Interactive. It centers on competitive sport controls, sport controls, and shifts between attack and defense, with controls and information arranged around the directional pad, shoulder and face buttons, plus DualShock twin analog sticks and vibration where supported.
- AI score · out of 10
- 6.8 / 10
About this game
Actua Soccer 3 is a PlayStation sports game centered on competitive sport controls, sport controls, and shifts between attack and defense. Matches, challenges, and tournament goals give sessions clear boundaries, with progress divided into stages, tasks, matches, or growth milestones that make immediate goals understandable. Its value depends on whether these rules continue to create judgment and room for mastery rather than on length, sales, or series recognition. Short campaigns are judged by repeat-challenge value, while longer ones are judged by variety, pacing, and recovery after failure. Players, venues, animation, and score feedback establish the match atmosphere, while early 3D graphics, pre-rendered backgrounds, CD audio, and full-motion video need to preserve targets and interface readability on a television. The genre-specific limitation is that opponent ai, control precision, multiplayer accessories, and period-specific rosters can affect consistency. Platform conditions also include disc loading, Memory Card saves, regional video standards, digital or analog control support, vibration, and dedicated peripherals affect original-hardware use. This description covers only this platform release and does not import features or conveniences from remasters, emulators, or other console editions.
Collected in series
Actua Sports is Gremlin’s family of sports games, known for bringing players and venues into early 3D. Football asks you to pass and shoot, golf rewards a carefully timed swing, and tennis turns on shot placement. Broadcast-style cameras and commentary help frame the action across its sporting branches.
Recommended games
Related game recommendations on this platform
PlayStation
AI review
AI reviews are subjective assessments, not player ratings. See each review for its evidence and limitations.Published date:
A huge club roster gives the finale breadth, but players differ on its match rhythm.
Actua Soccer 3 addresses the predecessors’ most obvious content limit on PlayStation. Hundreds of club sides can enter leagues or knockout cups, and players can assemble teams of their own rather than relying only on national squads. Better lighting, more detailed footballers and fuller commentary give the presentation greater ceremony. Straightforward passing and shooting also make multiplayer approachable. The firsthand accounts diverge on the feel of the match: one enjoys the easy controls and smoother animation, while another, comparing all three games, finds this entry much less snappy than Actua Soccer 2. That disagreement does not establish objective frame-rate loss or a single universal input verdict. The latter account also notes a persistent hazy look, and flat crowds have not advanced with the player models. Club and tournament breadth can sustain many sessions, but players who prize the sequel’s quick pace may want to try the third game first. PC high-resolution graphics or localized commentary are outside this PS1 assessment.
Strengths
- Extensive club and custom-team options.
- More elaborate lighting and match atmosphere.
Weaknesses
- Hazy pitch and flat crowd visuals.
- Conflicting firsthand reports on pace.
Who it is for: Older football fans who value roster breadth.
Play notes: Original PS1 release; PC resolution and commentary are excluded, and input feel is disputed.
View scoring basis
| Dimension | Review state | Score | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension Clubs, cups and created teams materially broaden replay options. | Reviewed | 7.6 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Simple controls help, though relative responsiveness divides players. | Reviewed | 6.4 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Improved lighting and sound meet haze and flat crowds. | Reviewed | 6.9 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension PS1 image looks hazy; response reports conflict, so slowdown is not asserted. | Reviewed | 6.1 / 10 | Not provided |
Review sources
Not provided
Core information
- Developer
- Gremlin
- Publisher
- Funbox MediaKISS
- Release date
- 1998
- Platforms
- PlayStation
- Content kind
- Game
- Release state
- Released
- Region
- Worldwide
- Official website
- Not provided
- Offline minimum players
- Not provided
- Offline maximum players
- Not provided
- Online minimum players
- Not provided
- Online maximum players
- Not provided
- Categories
- Sports · Primary genre
- Tags
- ReplayablePick-up and PlaySolo-friendlyPlayer versus PlayerMain Story Under 10 HoursSports-based PlayFast-pacedLow Entry Barrier3D GraphicsShort Sessions
- Supported game languages
- Not provided
- Requires base game
- Not provided
- Standalone
- Not provided
- Age ratings
- Not provided
- Play modes
- MultiplayerSingle player
- Perspectives
- Third personTop-down
Release editions
- PlayStationWorldwide1998
Game gallery
Sources
Not provided