"The first in the legendary series!!"

There is not a person I know who hasn't played at least one of the famous Tecmo Football games. They're incredibly fun, addictive, and easy to play unlike most football games, which makes it instantly accessible even to people who can't tell a field goal from Barry Sanders.

Gameplay/9/
-- The thing that stood this game out from the rest in the beginning was it's use of REAL NFL players and teams. Some teams are missing, and they don't even really use the team names (just the states), but it's okay. The game is very easy to grasp, with very simple controls (see below), and some of the more realistic aspects of football are not included. It's totally and completely impossible to get an incomplete pass (I've never done it), and there are very, VERY few fumbles. Also, it's super easy to get interceptions. Being anywhere near the reciever will give you the ball, which makes any games versus anyone even slightly competent a turn-over fest. Running plays are hardly ever successful, so you'll be chucking the pigskin much more then dashing the opponent. This makes defense difficult, and you can assume a touchdown if you have the ball. Also, you can make a field goal every time because wind doesn't affect the ball. All you have to do is press A when the power bar is above half. Hell, you can make the goal post if you just make sure the bar is filled up 1/4.
While it may seem like I'm bashing the game balance this game is so fun that it doesn't really matter, playing your friends is a very intense experience.
Playing a 1 player game pits you against the teams in random order until all are defeated and you take home the glory in the Super Bowl.

Graphics/5/
--The players are hugely overproportioned in this game. The Giants truly are so! Also, the top and bottoms of the field are just black, no cheering fans or anything. The end of the field has fans, though. Also, the touchdown and half time animations really suck.

Sound 'n Music/8/
--Some really, REALLY catchy music. When I'm playing Super Tecmo bowl and I hear the Interception tune, I start thinking of the Tecmo bowl music, even though the game has totally different songs. It's that catchy.
The QB still goes ''hut,hut,hut,hut,hut,hut.....'' for all time, but it's minor.

Control/10/
--The most intuitive controls I've ever seen in a sports game. The A button controls tackling, and when passing, it's just B to choose who's reciever and A to pass. It's that simple.

Overall/9/
Sure, the series has gotten much better over the years, and some people are so accustomed to the rest of the games that they can't even play this game, but I think that this is still one of the most fantastic sports games ever.
Enough Said.

-Deeto

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/14/00, Updated 07/14/00