In addition to new features that set the game apart from competitors, USM 98 boasts one of the most detailed and realistic transfer systems ever devised. Similar to business games such as Hollywood Mogul, the game requires you to negotiate with the club and the player's agent. You can loan, buy, or exchange players – and even offer extra cash if the player plays more than fifteen matches for example. You can have all six European leagues run at the same time, which opens up the possibility of not only player transfers but also management offers from clubs in Serie A. The game offers two play modes: management (running the entire club from advertising to pricing snacks), or coaching (football elements only). There are numerous other nice touches, such as the excellent tactics editor, post-match newspaper reports, and a much-improved interface that is more accessible for beginners than the esoteric one of CM2. Although there are a few shortfalls, such as the limited number of players for transfer, and the apparent softball difficulty – it seems you won't get sacked no matter how badly you are managing the team – USM 98 in all other respects is a game that equals or even *exceeds* CM2. If you are a soccer fan, this is a must-have.

Note: If you like the game but feel it is a bit outdated, I highly recommend the Mega Update pack: the most comprehensive update of the game roster for 2000/2001 season play. The 600KB file contains literally thousands of transfers, newcomers, and more – thumbs up to Lasse Hansen for his hard work :)

If someone knows where to download the Mega Pack, let us know!