Yesterday’s announcement of the return of “Tecmo Super Bowl” in the form of “Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff” for the DS was a long time coming. And it sparked several questions that a Tecmo spokesperson answered for me overnight.
First of all, I’m told that this game isn’t a new 3D re-invention. It’s a classic 2D game.
I’ve also learned that the game won’t include any NFL teams or players, due to EA having the licenses locked up. It won’t include retired players either, and that includes “Tecmo Super Bowl” icon Bo Jackson.
The teams in the new DS game will be aligned with the cities from the original “Tecmo Bowl,” with a few added to bring the team count to 32. “Although the team names are not NFL, we picked names that fit with the original spirit of ‘Tecmo Bowl,’” the company rep told me. Customization features will let players change the team names.
So what should gamers make of this new game? Is it a port? A sequel? Something else?
Take it away, Tecmo rep:
“‘Kickoff’ is based on the most popular (and everyone’s favorite) ‘Tecmo Super Bowl’ and is not a completely original, new game. However, there are a host of new features in this upcoming version that were not included or were not possible in the earlier versions of ‘Tecmo Bowl,’ such as customization, stylus control, super-abilities, Wi-Fi and wireless multiplayer. For those who remember and have been itching to play ‘Tecmo Super Bowl,’ there is no need to bring out the old home consoles – this game is the one you want to play with friends and with your kids.”
***
I never even played “Tecmo Super Bowl.” (Sorry James!) So tell me, long-time fans, do you like what you’re reading here?
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:42 pm
2D? Check. Fully customizable? Check. Nintendo Wi-Fi connection multiplayer? Check.
Yup, I can already say that I’ll be buying this on day one.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Thanks for chasing this down, Stephen. This will be the greatest game ever made.
May 4th, 2008 at 11:33 am
I’m pretty sure the teams didn’t have names, but the colors were approximately right, and when you played as philadelphia, you knew it was the Eagles. Since they had no license, obviously the players were not drawn from real people. Tecmo’s team made up creative names such as quarterback for Miami, Marino. New York was the team to play, because fictional defenseman Taylor could block ANY kick attempt. They probably won’t be able to use those names this time around, because EA will probably defend their license, but I’m sure they could still use cities and colors.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
No NFL license = another pointless rendition
June 10th, 2008 at 7:56 am
HADOUKEN!!!!
July 15th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Sounds like customization previously only available via emulation now actually invites users to do the same. This would circumvent NFL licensing and give 3rd parties (Tecmo Nerds or Tecmo Gods, whichever way you want to look at it) ability to re-create entire rosters for multiple eras and share them.
Sounds like you could even recreate rosters from the original Tecmo Bowl if you so desired.
Sounds perfect, but I’ll probably wait for the Wii version unless they are compatible.