Is "Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff" the best "Tecmo Bowl" game yet?

I haven't played the original "Tecmo Bowl" since I was a kid. But Tecmo had the NES, SNES, Genesis and PlayStation incarnations of "Tecmo Bowl" at a recent hands-on event for the new DS version.

No one was really playing the other versions. I decided to play every version of "Tecmo Bowl" for roughly the same amount of time I played the DS one: five minutes.

Which one came out on top? You'll be pleasantly surprised.

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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."

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I never even played "Tecmo Super Bowl." (Sorry James!) So tell me, long-time fans, do you like what you're reading here?

After more than a year of teasing, Tecmo has finally confirmed that "Tecmo Super Bowl" is coming back as "Tecmo Super Bowl: Kickoff" for the Nintendo DS this fall.

[Correction: The game does not include the word "super" in the title. My mistake.]

The announcement of this game has already caused one yell of excitement elsewhere in the MTV News newsroom, which is part of the reason I'm blogging about it now.

Here are some of the official press release details on the game, which is said to be based on "the most popular Tecmo Super Bowl":

"Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff" brings a host of new features that will further enhance the gameplay experience, including:

· Customizable Teams: Choose team colors, emblems, player names, team cities and abilities.

· Super Abilities: Tactically use over-the-top plays to take over a game.

· Wi-Fi and Wireless Multiplayer: Play against friends across the country or across the room.

· Stylus Control: Feel the action by using the stylus to control your player.

· Variety of Teams: Choose from 32 different teams.

· Cut-Scenes: All-new cut-scenes showing off the dramatic presentation of various plays.

· Customizable Playbook: Prepare for gridiron greatness by customizing your playbook.

· Music and Sound Effects: Turn up the heat on your opponent as you play the game to rock ‘n’ roll remixes of the most memorable tunes in football gaming history!

A new "Tecmo Bowl" game is still coming. That's what I learned at GDC as I wrapped up a quick interview with Tomonobu Itagaki.

He and I mostly talked about the Xbox 360's "Ninja Gaiden 2" (and gambling). But here's my exchange with him about the famous football series, which took place right after Microsoft's GDC keynote:

Multiplayer: People back in my office would be upset with me if I didn't ask you for an update about "Tecmo Bowl." About a year ago, there was an announcement that a new game was underway for an unspecified system. What can you update people about about that beloved franchise?

Itagaki: To be honest that was a totally different division that made that announcement, so I have no idea what's going on with that.

Multiplayer: So you're not working on any "Tecmo Bowl," right now?

Itagaki: I'm in a tough position because when I am making "'Dead or Alive," for instance, all the "Ninja Gaiden" fans say quit messing around with Dead or Alive and make a sequel to "Ninja Gaiden". When I'm making a new "Ninja Gaiden," all the "Dead or Alive" fans are like, "You have to quit that and start making "Dead or Alive." And that's tough enough as it is, but I also get letters all the time for the past 10 years from "Tecmo Bowl" fans saying, "When are you going to resurrect that franchise?" So it's tough being in my position.

Somewhere in the company there are people working hard to bring that to you. So I would suggest you wait for further announcements from them.

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That's all I could get about "Tecmo Bowl," but I will have more from my chat with the Itagaki shortly. Stay tuned.