Nintendo
Tecmo Super Bowl
Graphics: Sound: Gameplay: Overall: |
9.06 9.08 9.07 9.08 |
Votes: | 88 |
Reviews: | 7 |
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Reviewer: T-Clem | Date: Nov 27, 2005 |
When one waxes nostalgic concerning the greatest games on the most fun system of all time -- the NES -- several titles always find their way near the top. These include Super Mario Bros. 3, Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!!, and The Legend of Zelda. A fine collection, no doubt, but it's possible that no game has been more ahead of its time and just flat-out better than Tecmo Super Bowl. The fantasy and adventure games are all good and well, but for a sports fan, nothing beats TSB.
Graphics: 8 Okay, so the graphics aren't going to be perfect... this is the NES. And it's not the best game graphic-wise on NES, but the in-game graphics are more than adequate and the cut scenes are revolutionary. And menu screens, stat sheets, and the "year-in-review"? Timeless. Sound: 10 It was probably 10 years before I found out there was a sound test on this game, and if I had known that before then, I would have never gotten any homework done. This game has music that only Mario and Link can compete with, and it has probably more variety than them. With different music for various game modes, users, and situations (there's even different music for a TD run and a TD pass), there seems to be no end to any of the sounds you will hear in this game. And that doesn't even take into account the sound effects... another story in itself. The sound effects are, like so much more of the game, timeless. The whistle, the firing of the football, and -- everyone's favorite -- "TOUCHDOWN!!!" There can be no other. Gameplay: 10 As good as the sound is, it would not bring me back year after year to play some more. I do not know if I can ever give any other game a 10 in Gameplay because there are no games that can be considered an equal to TSB's gameplay. From changing the line-ups to knowing the vast difference between Steve Grogan and Joe Montana, the genius of the game shines in the fact that nothing gets old. Very often it becomes a game of anticipation -- pick right and you're in the driver's seat; pick wrong and you're watching the other team drive down the field underneath you or past you. So suddenly it also becomes the greatest strategy game of all time. If you're a relatively average player, then the challenges in the game are always there and not hard to find. As you play it over... and over... and over again, winning a normal game isn't always that hard, but there's always a challenge to create for yourself, like seeing if you can go undefeated in a season without throwing one pass or vice versa (it can be done) or seeing what inhumane number of yards you can rack up with a guy like Bo Jackson running, Joe Montana (with the help of unstoppable recievers) or Warren Moon passing, or Randall Cunningham (aka QB Eagles) doing both. While some may argue that playing with certain people makes the game not fair, isn't that how football really is? I mean, who beat the Steelers in the 70's, the Niners in the 80's, or the Cowboys in the 90's? Not as many teams as beat the Cardinals, that's for sure. Play your perfect little Madden game now and see if you don't run roughshod over opponents with the Patriots, or Colts for offensive-minded people. I honestly don't even believe that, though, because in my years and years and years of playing this game, with all but a tiny handful of times as the Philadelphia Eagles, I can only think of about four losses, and the one that sticks out in my mind the most was against the Cincinnati Bengals -- not exactly a perfect team. And while most of the game is realistic (real teams, real players, real plays, injuries -- although the run back from the hospital is less than realistic -- and no power-ups or anything crazy like that), there are a few over-the-top nonsenses that make the game fun, NES-style. These include the good ol' 120-yard Hail Mary (but it's not like there's a special button for it) and the elasticity of Bo Jackson's legs and Ottis Anderson's embarrassing ability to run over your defender and the old "no one in sight for 30 yards, OH WAIT here comes Overall: 10 This review was accidentally cut short. Appologies to the reviewer for losing the end of their review. |
Reviewer: Phoenix Shredds | Date: Nov 20, 2002 |
This game is one of the most timeless games of all time. When I started playing it around 7 or 8 years old, I would sit and play through seasons over and over, as well as simulate them. The sheer fact that in the early 90's, on the NES, you could actually have fully tracked stats on the real players and teams of the NFL was amazing at the time. The addiction this game has held upon me for some 11 years is above any other video game I have ever played. Graphics: 8 Sound: 10 Gameplay: 10 Overall: 10 This game is #1 on my all-time list. Now I wouldn't expect somebody to come along now, play it for the first time and then decide it is their favorite of all time, but those of us who have been around since the early days know, this is what started it all. Not Madden, nothing else. Tecmo, the allmighty. |
Reviewer: Alex | Date: May 12, 2002 |
In my opinion, the greatest game ever. Ask any hardcore football fan whose played it and they will same the same. Its probably the first football game made where you can play a season with any team in the league, all the real players and stats, a full season w/the playoffs and the opportunity to play with all teams if you wanted to. 2 of my brothers and I used to pick 4 teams a piece (2 total in each division so we could have divisional rivalries and take up all the playoff spots) and we'd play that game 24/7 or until the game just wouldnt work again. The only problem with that was the NES would always mess up and you had to blow in it and that never worked that great and of course that would erase our season and then we'd start all over again and again and again. And of course never ever get tired of it. Graphics: 10 Sound: 10 Gameplay: 10 Overall: 10 If you are a football fan and you've played all those new football games like Madden and NCAA football for the new systems but have never played TSB on NES, you are definitely missing out. Play this game just once and if you are not hooked, im sorry, but your just not that big of a football fan because after this game, they should have never made another football game, its been downhill ever since TSB on NES. All I need to fulfill my video gaming needs is a NES that works and TSB and ill never take it out of the Nintendo so it cant get dusty:) |
Reviewer: TSB 2003 GBA 4 EVER | Date: Apr 24, 2002 |
This game was so far ahead of its time, its like, um, a time machine baby! Seriously, this is absolutly, without a doubt, the best playing game on the NES. Think about it- fast-paced gameplay combined with the fun of the NFL? I actually prefer this game to the more arcadey football games of today, such as Blitz. In fact, I think only Madden can touch this game among all sports. Do yourself a favor: stop reading this review and find a cartridge and play! What's that? It's $20 used? Then just download the ROM! Really, go play. Just go. Graphics: 8 Sound: 9 Gameplay: 10 Overall: 10 Well, moron, you read my whole review instead of playing the freaking |
Reviewer: Venom | Date: Oct 7, 2001 |
I can best describe this game in one word, AWESOME! This is by far the greatest football game i've ever played. It's twice as good as anything the SNES or Genesis can offer you. In fact, i order you, right now, run out and find a copy of this game. It has possibly the greatest graphics the nes ever saw, as well as the best sounds available on the 8-bit wonder. the gameplay is nothing short of perfect. It's easy to run, pass, sack, anything you can do in real football. you can even adjust the roster on the pro bowl teams! my main gripe, you cant switch players on the fly, and that sucks on defense. also, the cpu is a cheating bastard, you'll hate him. The teams arent balanced, either. i can guarantee you that you won't go to the super bowl with the dallas cowboys, it just won't happen. but, i that's the way it is in real football so i can't deduct for that. if you're serious about football, pick this one up, settle in, and get hooked, just dont let it's small flaws get to you, eventually, you'll find the right formula, and you'll be in heaven. |
Reviewer: Nick | Date: Oct 3, 2001 |
Wow, that is all ihave got so sayabout tecmo super bowl. I have been playing this game since it first came out. I have alwys been amazed at it. It the first game were you can use real players, play an awesome season, make your playbook, and run with Bo Jackson. I have never seen another football game good or as good as Tecmo Super Bowl. No other system will ever create a game like it. NES is old school but it will always be my favorite. |
Reviewer: Chris Bowen | Date: Jul 7, 2001 |
The sequal to one of the all-time greatest Nintendo games, Tecmo Super Bowl surpasses Tecmo Bowl in almost every way. This was one of the first games to utilize both the NFL and the NFLPA license, meaning that the rosters are accurate as of 1991 (the Giants were defending champs). Plus, the cimema's that got their start in other Tecmo games such as Tecmo Bowl and Ninja Gaiden actually impact gameplay, such as showing wether or not a pass is deflected, or if a field goal is good or not. This is the most innovative football game of it's time, and the best Tecmo Bowl game ever. |