Madden Who? Tecmo Bowl Returns

As the press release proudly proclaims, "Tecmo Bowl fans no longer have to reminisce about the old days as players can return to the first video game that emulated real football with new generation consoles, twenty years after its release. As a game that still holds a strong community following, online community tournaments can now be held nationwide at the comfort of home. TECMO BOWL THROWBACK brings back the gameplay you loved, and stays true to the Tecmo Super Bowl legacy!"

Tecmo Bowl

The use of all caps suggest that Tecmo is deadly serious about the amount of fun crammed into this title. Features of the game include:

  • Online Multiplayer: Find your old buddies online and challenge them to matches just like back in the day
  • 2D + 3D Graphics: Experience all new 3D graphics with the ability to switch to the classic 2D style!
  • Customizable Teams and Rosters: Play as any of the 32 teams with customizable team names and rosters in full seasons
  • Online Leaderboards: Compare your stats in a wide array of online leaderboards
  • Classic Game Modes: Battle it out with your friends and kick off a game in Preseason, Season or Pro Bowl modes

I, personally, would enjoy a "Throwback Blow-back" Achievement: simulating the cartridge becoming dirty and the game freezing and then initializing a quick button pressing sequence to restore the game. Additionally, the possibility to create team names could certainly lend itself to some obscene football championship teams, so there's a bonus. For the time being however, Tecmo Bowl Throwback is rated E for Everyone with Mild Suggestive Themes. One does wonder if some random Dead or Alive characters will make an appearance... and the accompanying, er, physics for the cheerleaders.