"Acclaim Sports scores a touchdown in 99!"

Acclaim scores a touchdown in 99!

Graphics: 10/10
Amazing, to put it simply. Following the trademark of high-resolution graphics in their (Acclaim) other sports titles (All-Star Baseball, NBA Jam), the graphics are some of the best a Nintendo 64 sports title can have. Players are extremely detailed, down to the little labels on their uniforms. The stadiums look great too. Every player is detailed this high and the framerate stays high, as many different animations run smoothly. Acclaim did really good in this area.

Gameplay: 9/10
NFL QB Club 99 features a multitude of gameplay modes and customization features. There are the typical exhibition, season, tournament and playoff modes. There is an interesting historical simulation mode, placing you in the middle of any of the previous Super Bowl games. Even better is a mode to create your own scenarios. You can't save them though.

Customization options are great also. You can create teams, players, playbooks and the previously mentioned scenarios. When you create a player, its name appears on the back of the uniform. When you create a team, its name appears in the end zone of the stadium that you play in. The playbooks you create can be used with any team.

On the field, QBC is quite solid. Control is spot on, with equal balance between running and passing. Also, there is very little lag in the controls, which are optimally setup. While complaints have been voiced on the ease of running plays, I found it difficult sometimes and easy sometimes, making it balanced.

Audio: 8/10
Mike Patrick handles play-by-play, with color commentary from Randy Cross. Starting with the introduction, QBC 99 is top-notch. The intro commentary lasts over 45 seconds, and audio quality is not reduced on the cart. However, there is the unfortunate fact that the commentators get quieter when the game plays. But, when they do talk, they are amusing and accurate. If only they talked as much as the excellent commentator on Genesis Sportstalk series :) Overall though, the two-man commentary team is superb.

Miscellaneous
QBC '99 supports the RAM expansion pack and the rumble pack. Also, the game takes up an entire controller pack. The game is also rated E for everyone.

Overall: 9
Combining top-notch graphics, excellent, if limited, play-by-play and solid gameplay, this game shows that Madden isn't the only player on the field of American football.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/00, Updated 11/01/00