International Cricket (1992-)

• Developer: Beam Software

• Publisher: Laser Beam

• Genre: Sports

• Designer: Jef Kamenek

• Composer: Marshall Parker, Gavan Anderson

International Cricket for the NES was developed by Beam Software and published by Laser Beam in 1992. The game was released exclusively for the NES and targeted markets such as Australia and Europe, where cricket was already an immensely popular sport. Unlike many other sports games of its era, it was never ported to other platforms, making it a rare and distinctive title in the NES library. Its development represented an effort to capture a sport that had not yet been widely represented in console gaming.

The game offered players the chance to take control of international teams in either test matches or one-day formats. Although it lacked official licensing, meaning no real player names or likenesses were used, the teams were based on recognizable cricketing nations. The design was clearly influenced by the desire to translate cricket’s lengthy and strategic gameplay into a home console experience that could be enjoyed more casually. At the time, few games attempted such a challenge, and this alone made International Cricket notable among NES sports titles.

Gameplay mechanics combined batting, bowling, and fielding into a streamlined system. Batting required well-timed button presses to direct shots around the pitch, while bowling allowed for different speeds and movements, adding variety to each match. Fielding was partially automated but still included moments where players had to react quickly to secure catches or run-outs. Multiplayer support was an important inclusion, as it allowed two players to recreate competitive cricket matches at home, making it one of the more engaging sports titles when played with friends.

The soundtrack was sparse, consisting mainly of short tunes and simple sound effects such as ball impacts and crowd reactions to provide atmosphere. Promotion of the game was limited, with Laser Beam aiming it primarily at cricket-loving regions rather than the broader international market. Reception was mixed: while it was praised for being one of the only cricket titles available on the NES, some critics and players felt that its pacing could be slow and its gameplay somewhat repetitive. No prequel existed, and while there was no sequel on the NES, Beam Software later revisited cricket on other platforms, carrying forward some of the lessons learned from this early effort.

Images from MobyGames