Tecmo Super Bowl

"Eleven years later, this game STILL smashes others in the mouth."

Thank you Joe, Paul, and Nick. Many years ago, these three guys invited me to join them in a game of Tecmo Super Bowl. And even though Joe plastered me to the wall with a score of 80-3, the game made a good impression. However, little did I know that 8 years later, this sports genre masterpiece would still be holding its own.

Graphics: 10

Great! Those trademark Tecmo cut-scene closeups still impress me while adding so much to the gameplay. Field goal attempt. Boom!! The screen changes as you witness firsthand a defensive lineman fly in to block the kick and Boom!! the screen changes back to field view so you can see the fruits of his efforts. The football players all look the same, but hey, what do you expect from the NES in 1990. However, the graphics are good enough so that the players look like players instead of blocks of color.

Challenge: 8

Good balance of challenge. The bad teams are easy, the tough teams are tough, and the playoff teams are very tough. For the first time player, getting TO the playoffs is a fairly challenging task. For the average player, getting THROUGH the playoffs is a challenge. But the more time you spend playing this game, the easier it becomes. And this is an easy game to master.

Music/Sound: 9

Ready! Down! Hut, hut, hut!! You can actually hear and understand those words coming from the quarterback before each down. Inteligible words from a Nintendo game?! In 1990?! But that is only one of the great sounds included in TSB, my favorite being the very satisfying smashing sound that comes from bowling over the defensive secondary with your running back! The music is also good, providing adrenaline coaxing in-game tunes, the kind you find yourself whistling at work the next day.

Play Control: 10

Razor sharp play control, even for the big lumbering linemen. But get your directional behind Barry Sanders or Bo Jackson and it's darting and cutting like you've never known.

Story/Idea: 10

Making a game about football is nothing new, and was nothing new in 1990. But this game is unbelievable! The amount of information that the player has access to and control over is what makes this game so fun. The status screen for each player gives you all the info you need to keep your team in prime condition. There is also a wide selection of plays, formations, and substitutions. Emmitt Smith as a tight end? Hmmmm.

Replay: 10

Three words, Tecmo Superbowl Party. Get some friends, some food, draw teams, start a season. It's just like watching real football as you and your friends duke it out. High fives will be given, curses will be issued, and fun will be had.

Overall: 10
Would have been better if...
1.) You could select a more difficult AI.
2.) Multiple seasons could be saved.
3.) The Tecmo Superbowl Party was a national pastime.

It will take a while to master TSB. There is a certain art behind the game. Only the most experienced player will become a TSB Guru; a TSB ninja, if you will. It's just amazing how some of the modern sports games are old after a season, yet this one remains a favorite after 11 years. You can find one for about 10 bucks at most used game stores. So pick a copy up right now. Joe, Paul, and Nick demand that you do so.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/03/01, Updated 08/03/01