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Tecmo Bowl Throwback huddles up on XBL, PSN this spring

Sweden-based Southend Interactive tapped for retro remake of America's Game; title to feature online multiplayer, optional overhauled graphics.

Tecmo Koei is reaching deep into the old playbook for its next downloadable console game, as the publisher today announced Tecmo Bowl Throwback for Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network. And although the NFL doesn't kick off again until the fall, the unlicensed Tecmo Bowl Throwback will arrive in time for spring. (Currently, Electronic Arts holds the exclusive NFL license.)

7-6 as time runs out in the fourth quarter? Sounds like a real humdinger of a game.

7-6 as time runs out in the fourth quarter? Sounds like a real humdinger of a game.

Like other retro revamps, Tecmo Bowl: Throwback will include options aimed at purists, as well as those desiring a modern update. The game will let players switch from classic-style 2D graphics to new 3D visuals, customize their teams and rosters, and hit the global gridiron with an online multiplayer mode.

Throwback is currently in development at Sweden-based Southend Interactive. The developer is no stranger to retro remakes, having created the Xbox Live Arcade versions of Lode Runner and R-Type Dimensions. In the previous generation of consoles, it also worked on retail titles like the original Xbox editions of Ubisoft's cel-shaded first-person shooter XIII and the futuristic sports title Deathrow.

An 8-bit and 16-bit staple for sports gamers, Tecmo Bowl's original run ended with a single appearance on the PlayStation in 1996. Tecmo returned to the brand in 2008 with Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff for the DS, which managed a lukewarm critical reception. Tecmo Bowl: Throwback will be the company's first downloadable sports title since last year's NBA Unrivaled, which fouled out with critics.

34 Comments

  • RocSeanD

    Posted Mar 11, 2010 5:50 am GMT

    @SavoyPrime, and flo007

    Thanks :-) Welcome to church!!!!!

  • flo007

    Posted Mar 10, 2010 10:03 pm GMT

    Amen RocSeanD, amen!!!

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 10:32 pm GMT

    @RocSeanD - Preach brotha!!!

  • RocSeanD

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 11:16 am GMT

    I hope this game brings those good feelings back from the days of yester yore. You know when you could tell if the team against you was going to run a flea-flicker just because you noticed the position of WR was in close and placed in the back ever so slightly, and so you would run in with your OLB, and dive at the runner, because you knew the computer was cheap, and it would double team you if you didn't, and bowl you over. I also hope ( I will pray for this), that they will have a good Tecmo Bowl soundtrack like in Tecmo Suberbowl(NES), and the the first Super Tecmo Bowl(SNES).

    Prayer:
    Dear Lord, Please guide Southend Interactive hands, minds and hearts as they come to recraft a game that has lovingly held the hearts of old school NFL playmaking gamers, such as ourselves. Please give them insight to do what is right of this game, and help them reflect not upon the PS, or DS versions of the game, but instead lead them to the path of righteousness through the good deeds of Tecmo SuperBowl(NES), and the 1st Super Tecmobowl(SNES). Amen

    WOOOOOHOOO GO STB!!!!!!!!! Hut Hut Hut Hut Hut Hut Hut Hut Hut Hut Hut Hut!!!!

  • alixkid

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 2:26 pm GMT

    WooHoo i still have the Version on my Sega Genesis

  • SLjimbolian

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 1:49 pm GMT

    A Swedish game developer making a football game when there's virtually no trace of football in the country? Something ain't right...

  • Kleeyook

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 10:54 am GMT

    From 8-bit to 16-bit? Why not 32-bit?

  • nonfanboy

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 9:40 am GMT

    I still have Tecmo Super Bowl, but my snes ripped a few yrs ago

  • zMd113

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 7:28 am GMT

    i hate EA....a lot.

  • ThaGrateOne

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 6:24 am GMT

    Can only hope that they don't screw this up like NBA UNRIVALED. If this a true "throwback" this will be a very special and very important game to football fans everywhere. I am ready for this one.

  • PixelAddict

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 5:34 am GMT

    Wait, so will this have throwback rosters as well? I know the NFL sold their soul to EA the same way they did to DirecTV, but does that include rosters a decade (or more) back?

    I hope not. That was part of the fun. I still want this either way, but the rosters add to the experience.

  • Witchsight

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 5:33 am GMT

    Can i still throw 110 yard hail marys?

  • swatpup102

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 3:45 am GMT

    I want to see Joe Montana Sports Talk Football 2 remade. Best. Football. Evar. When you could run the halfback pass and score every time, knowing that Montana wasn't even throwing the ball in his own game was great.

  • monson21502

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 11:01 pm GMT

    i`ll have this on both, ill buy it from xboxlive and my friend will buy it off psn and he will share it with me

  • wagstar

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 9:59 pm GMT

    Anyone else ever get over 200 sacks with one guy in one season in Tecmo Super Bowl? I could sack the cpu 100% of pass plays from under centre, didnt matter what team I was. You just had to play as the NT (the guy lined up across from the centre) move diagonally down and forward when the ball was snapped, and then as soon as you hit the gap you dive diagonally up and forward. Playing as the NT became banned in 2P games for this reason.

    I think most people overlook one key aspect towards the games success. I eluded to it above and that key was full stat tracking. I would spend so much time poring over my players stats and seeing how I'm doing compared to the league. Few, if any sports games had full stat tracking back then, it was amazing to have that feature in there. I remember some games from that even came out after TSB didnt have stat tracking included. Others have mentioned what a shame the exclusive EA deal is for quality of game. I couldnt agree more, many people forget that Madden was the second class citizen in football games for a long time. Even Sony's Gamebreaker series had a few years where they made a better Playstation title (PSOne era, before 989 Studios, or as I call it; "The thing that ruined first party Sony games") than Madden that year. This deal just means that EA gets to charge 60 bucks for a roster update every year.

  • stziggy

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 8:58 pm GMT

    Thanks NFL for letting EA hold the exclusive license. You've successfully stifled creativity to line your own pockets.

    It's sad when we turn to the Tecmo of the 90s as an alternative.

  • DrKill09

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 8:45 pm GMT

    Tecmo Bowl's alright, but I want a new Super High Impact or Blitz game.

  • raahsnavj

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 7:58 pm GMT

    Just make sure you fix the invincible "TE slant to the middle" play. Even when the computer picks your play you will gain 15+ yards... I was hoping Kickoff fixed it, but it didn't.

    It does look nice, and with customizable rosters, who needs a NFL license... I'll make my own NFL. This is going to be great... I hope.

  • SupaMarioPlumma

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 5:49 pm GMT

    I used Tecmo Super Bowl to sim the Saints vs Colts and it predicted the outcome correctly! The game is awesome.

  • zyxomma100

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 4:57 pm GMT

    Never played the original, but heard good things. Will demo.

  • TongLong

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 4:44 pm GMT

    Cool! These guys should put together an XBLA update of Super Dodge Ball, too!

  • Ed_The_Great

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 4:35 pm GMT

    Bo Jackson,Barry Sanders,Montana to Rice,Marino to Clayton...Yep,I used to play this til about 2 in the morning back in my childhood days.It's about time they bring this to XBLA.

  • Sycros

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 4:34 pm GMT

    This game will bring back the FUN to football games.

  • Ronricofsu

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 4:16 pm GMT

    Long overdue! this is the greatest game of all time !!!

    HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT, HUT,

  • gellis1981

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 4:16 pm GMT

    the best thing about the orignal was the real players names and teams. Like Montana 49ers, Bo Jackson Raiders and Rice. Bo Jackson was hella fast and Montana/Rice connection was something that you could relate too. The new Tecmo bowl will flop because of this. EA needs to release the rights 4 atleast this arcade game...show some goodwill for christ sakes!

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 4:13 pm GMT

    cant wait to start throwing touchdowns from one inzone into the other .... just keep running that QB backwards ahahah

  • chevro1et

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 4:06 pm GMT

    Heh, this is gonna be fun!

  • hunter8man

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 3:21 pm GMT

    Oh hell yes. The most fun football series of all time is back.

  • mjpatrick

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 3:10 pm GMT

    More fun than Madden any day! Can't wait. I spent way too many hours in college playing this and Sega's NHL '94.

  • theexperience13

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 3:00 pm GMT

    @daabulls23

    Someone obviously knows that the Bulls rule and that Bo Jackson + Tecmo Super Bowl = WIN

  • ohjtbehaaave

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 2:09 pm GMT

    I'm Officially Sport Woo.... Um... I'm very excited for this one! Oh Baby... Online Play! Bring it!

  • daabulls23

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 2:08 pm GMT

    All I ask is that Bo Jackson is available.

  • 2pac_makaveli

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 2:08 pm GMT

    awesome

  • monson21502

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 1:39 pm GMT

    nice. ill be buying this

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