The much improved sequel that makes the road to winning the Super Bowl much more enjoyable.
THE GOOD
-Fast pace gameplay
-Excellent league and multiplayer mode
-Large playbook that is customizable
-Fun music and animations
-Good controls
THE BAD
-Some glitchy stuff with End Zone passing
-Offensive linemen are too easy to get around
OVERVIEW
The road to the NFL Super Bowl has never been so much fun until now. Tecmo Super Bowl is a much improved sequel that lets you play from any of the NFL teams during the 1991 season. All the rosters are completely accurate along with their attributes. In Tecmo Super Bowl anything is possible. You can play through a league as the worst team during this time (Tampa Bay) and make them division champions. Or maybe help the Buffalo Bills win the Super Bowl. This game offers a huge league mode where you and all your friends can pick teams and play a season together. From Preseason exhibitions to Playoff games, you're bound to have an amazing football gaming experience.
GAMEPLAY
First let's talk about the different game modes. The opening menu prompts you to pick a Preseason game, Season Game, Pro Bowl and Team Data. The Preseason and Pro Bowl are both exhibition games where you and/or a friend can play together. The same options from the previous Tecmo Bowl are here like the ability to play as the coach. You could even watch two computer players play against each other. The Team Data menu lets you customize playbooks and starters for each team. For instance, say you wanted Steve Young to start over Joe Montana. Well you can make this happen. Or let's say you completely hate all the passing plays for the Chicago Bears. Again you can make changes and put the plays that fit your style. This customizability is a great new feature and improves the overall fun factor for the game.
Now that those modes are out of the way we can get into the "meat and potatoes" of Tecmo Super Bowl; the Season mode. The Season mode is incredible. You and your friends (yes every team can be controlled by a player) each pick a team to control for the entire season. The schedules are straight from the 1991 NFL football season. Again just like in the exhibition modes, each player can make changes to their playbook and starters. The season consists of a 17 week schedule with playoffs. Stats for all your players are updated after every game and can be easily accessible so that you can show off who has the best Quarterback, Receiver and even overall defense, for example. The Season mode in Tecmo Super Bowl is hours and hours of fun.
Now it's time to get into the actual gameplay. Just like the previous game, the action is fast paced. This makes playing games quick and doesn't drag out a season for weeks, which is nice. Instead of the four plays, which you're use to in the first Tecmo Bowl, you now have four run plays and four pass plays. There are over fifty different plays to choose, from the playbook, so you can pick the plays that work for your style. Another feature that is really cool is the up close animations. Whether it's a jumping catch or the measurement for a first down, they are all exciting to watch. Another couple things that were added to make the game feel more realistic are injuries and player conditions. Just like in real football, players get hurt all the time. In Tecmo Super Bowl your players could end up on the IR for months which can change your entire game plan around. Another cool item that adds to the realism is the player conditioning that could change between games. Your players are ranked from Bad to Excellent and what this does is that it increases or decreases your player's attributes. So, you players can actually have a "bad" day. For the most part, the gameplay is fun and entertaining but there are a few set backs. On passing plays the offensive linemen take a couple steps back and stand there leaving your Quarterback vulnerable to an outside blitz. Also, for some reason there is a glitch when passing the ball to a player in the End Zone. If your receiver is still running in place at the end line (back of the end zone) you'll over throw him every single time. These minor setbacks are noticeable but don't affect the game too much.
The controls are just as solid as ever. Passing, rushing, tackling are all made easy. So, you'll be able to find those holes like Barry Sanders would or "thread the needle" with passing from Dan Marino or even make a blind side sack like Bruce Smith.
GRAPHICS & SOUND
The in-game graphics are decent but the cut scene graphics and menus are superb. The detail in the cut scenes bring an exciting twist to watch every single time you play.
The music fits the game and its rock tone is uplifting. The sound effects from the tackling to amazing catches are fun to listen too.
CONCLUSION
Tecmo Super Bowl is a greatly enhanced sequel that delivers in every way. Whether you play a quick Pro Bowl match against the computer or a full length season with friends you're bound to have a great time. I remember playing a full season with eight friends and it was cut throat up to the last second and so much fun. That road to the Super Bowl might be long and hard but when you do win the Vince Lombardy trophy, you'll know that it was all worth it.