Tecmo Super Bowl

"The <b>BEST</b> football game ever. Period."

Tecmo Super Bowl is the best football game I have ever played. To me, its the best game on the NES. The arcade-like, NFL Blitz style play, keeps me going back for more. Its been over 10 years since I bought this game and it hasn't let me down yet. It does not only set the standard for what football games should be like, it also has the most replay value for a game then I have ever seen. Get ready, because I'm about to venture into the aspects of the best football simulation ever, otherwise known as Tecmo Super Bowl.

Tecmo Super Bowl is the second football game made by Tecmo for the NES and it was preceded by Tecmo Bowl. What makes this game so great is the replay value and the game play. It was the first football game to have a full NFL license, which means that you play with the real life counterparts which was ground breaking when this game came out. It is very easy to pick teams and the menus are very simplistic which means that it doesn't take but 30 seconds to get a game going. The graphics are also the best the NES can offer and they do not disappoint. The ONLY problem that I have come across in this game is the random flickering of the screen that sometimes makes you lose track of where your players are. Other that that, this game is top notch. The uniforms are true to their colors and some teams even have a home and away jersey. Overall, there is nothing wrong with the graphical elements of this game. The little cut scenes that play when your score a touchdown, field goal, or extra point, make you feel more into the game and add extra life to it.

Now the sounds of Tecmo football is what most people remember. The little tunes that play when you score or get a first down make you feel a little happy inside and will often get you pumped up. They are just some of those sounds that you'll never forget. They add to the quality of the game so much, you often forget where you are. Also, you can choose coach mode and just pick the plays for your team or play in the Pro Bowl. Panning through simulated games during the season makes you feel like you're watching Sportscenter. If you are a older football fan, and you want to play with some of the retired greats, then this game is for you.

Perhaps the most addicting thing about Tecmo Super Bowl is that anything can happen. You can be up 40 - 0 and lose your lead in a heartbeat, or be down by the same and go on a 40 - 0 scoring run. That is what Tecmo is all about. I mean, lets face it, there's no other feeling then the one you get when there's 10 seconds left on the clock and you're down by a field goal on your 20 yard line. You drop back to pass, feel the rush coming and hurl a 100 yard bomb toward the endzone and.........TOUCHDOWN. I know my fellow Tecmoers can relate to that. That alone, is more then enough reason to buy this game. Your are wasting your NES if you don't have this game to accompany it. This is a must have game. If you don't have it, get it. Words alone can not describe how much fun I have had over the years of playing this game. This game is like a controller, if you don't have it, you might as well quit being a gamer. And don't give me this, ''Well, I never did like sports games'' remark because that is irrelevant. You don't have to be a football fan to enjoy this game. I guess you can call it ''universal''. I have converted many non - sports video game players into hardcore Tecmo Super Bowl junkies. Just give it a chance, that's all I'm asking. You can most likely find it on Ebay for cheap, so do yourself a huge favor, and buy it. You will not regret that decision and that's word to your momma.

The Lowdown

Pros

-- Fast, easy games
-- Endless replay value
-- Good all around graphics and sound
-- Battery backup which means no long, tedious passwords
-- I own it
-- I play it
-- I love it

Cons

-- The flashing screen can get annoying
-- Cart is subject to die or freeze in the middle of a game.
-- Weird glitches happen often. But that could go either way.
-- It takes up too much of my free time.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/13/03, Updated 01/15/03