Soccer fans and GameCube owners rejoice – Virtua Striker 3 (Aptly subtitled “Version 2002”) is fast approaching for a March 26 release. Sega’s persistent soccer franchise has always boasted stunning visuals, but hasn’t ever received much notable critical acclaim due to its decidedly flawed gameplay mechanics. However, if Amusement Vision has anything to say about it, this is all set to change come the release of Virtua Striker 3 for GameCube.

The game will feature an extensive lineup of teams and players: 64 selectable teams the world over with 22 players apiece makes for a hefty amount of fútbol to go ‘round. The game flexes its graphical muscle throughout 13 highly detailed stadiums, with the Adidas Japan license providing real soccer equipment designs and realistic-looking soccer balls and jerseys.

Shown at Space World 2001, the unfinished build of the GameCube version of Virtua Striker 3 indicated Amusement Vision’s attention to the implementation of a tighter control scheme and an overall better look and feel than its arcade counterpart. Though the game wasn’t leaps and bounds ahead of the previous version, press reports did suggest moderate improvement in the realm of gameplay mechanics and interface. Hopefully Amusement Vision has since continued to successfully smooth out the wrinkles in the control scheme.

Aside from beautiful graphics and improved controls, however, Virtua Striker 3 for the GameCube will also include new and improved play modes and options, some of which are explained below:

Versus Match: Two teams play each other in a friendly head-to-head game of soccer.

Tournament: Four, eight, or sixteen teams compete in a single-elimination tournament.

Road to the International Cup: Exclusive to the GameCube version of the game, this mode allows players to choose a team and play through a four-year career to strengthen their team’s abilities. The enhanced team can also be used to play other games modes, including Versus Match, against a friend’s team!

International Cup: Thirty-two teams are divided into four groups where they compete to reach the final tournament.

League Mode: Sixteen or Thirty-two teams compete for play points, distributed according to a team’s playing style.

Ranking Mode: Compete against four computer-controlled teams to receive a ranking based on your performance.

Create-A-Player and Create-A-Team Modes: Create your very own soccer team, right down to the uniforms and names!

One or two players can indulge in the soccer experience, as opposed to FIFA 2002’s four players. Which game is for you? Well, I can’t suggest one or the other just yet, but if gameplay and graphics quality are held constant, I suppose it’s simply a matter of preference: More game modes (Virtua Striker 3), or greater depth and four-player support (FIFA 2002)?

Famitsu of Japan recently scored Virtua Striker 3 29/40, which isn’t a bad score, but leaves a bit to be desired. Click here for that story.

Planet GameCube will have an in-depth review of Virtua Striker 3 as soon as we’re able to get our hands on it.