Tecmo Bowl – Long before Madden there was Tecmo Bowl – the pioneering sports game from 1987 that introduced football fans to the joys of arcade-style pigskin on NES and arcades! While featuring the licenses of actual NFL teams and stars, Tecmo Bowl’s claim to fame was over the top, unrealistic fun. With just 4 playable plays and pixelated sprites, it succeeded through addictive gameplay that reduced football to its essence: calling big pass plays and breaking huge runs for glory!
The beauty of Tecmo Bowl was its simplicity paired with big exciting moments. As coach, players pick simple plays then control individual athletes during the action. On defense, choose when to blitz, sit back or dive for INTs. On offense, search for holes, stiff arm would-be tacklers, then flick a turbo boost breaking loose for extraordinary touchdowns worthy of legends! Signature players like Bo Jackson proved literally unstoppable beasts once in the open field!
Beyond nailing the basics, Tecmo Bowl focused fun through exaggerated spectacle. Quarterbacks launch 60-yard bombs pinpoint to sprinting receivers. Linebackers blast ball carriers with bone crushing (and totally illegal) tackles. The madness culminates in equally over-the-top cutscenes capturing game highs. We’re treated to pixelated re-enactments of diving catches, goal line stands and iconic high steps into the end zone!
By modern sim standards, Tecmo is obviously simplistic. But therein lies the genius – capturing football euphoria through stripped-down controls and Hollywood-sized moments amping excitement levels through the roof! For delivering the origins of arcade gridiron glory, we salute you Tecmo Bowl!
Controls Tecmo Bowl:
- Select plays by tapping one of the 4 offensive plays or 3 defensive formations.
- Use the D-Pad to maneuver your selected player once the play starts.
- Flick up on the D-Pad during a run to activate turbo speed.
- Press A to dive for extra yards at the end of runs.
Offensive Strategy:
- Cycle through running plays and exploit weaknesses in the defense, using turbo to break big runs.
- Occasionally throw long bombs to catch the defense off guard for quick scores.
- Mix up runs left, right and middle – repeat successful plays until stopped.
Defensive Strategy:
- Guess when runs or passes are coming based on down and distance.
- Blitz linebackers through gaps or safety’s on likely passing downs.
- Switch control to defensive backs and go for interceptions.
Mastering the basics is simple but knowing when to blitz, turbo boost, and throw deep takes Tecmo Bowl mastery! Good luck scoring iconic touchdowns with your favorite NFL legends!
