Line #18 VideoGame/TecmoBowl


1	[[quoteright:338:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_11yb1h1us4qzqqefbpq49buitw0hn6e_v4_599.jpg]]
2	''Tecmo Bowl'' is a video game series. It is based on UsefulNotes/AmericanFootball, specifically the UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeague, and was released in arcades in 1987. It was later ported to the Platform/NintendoEntertainmentSystem in 1989 (and ported twice again - once in 1991 for the Platform/GameBoy and again for the Platform/VirtualConsole in 2007; albeit in the VC release, the players' names are removed and represented by their number) The game featured 12 generic teams with real NFL players and a password option, which started a trend. In December 1991, a sequel featuring all 28 (at the time) officially licensed NFL teams as well as their players was released called ''Tecmo UsefulNotes/SuperBowl''. Nearly two years later, Tecmo Super Bowl was brought to the Platform/SegaGenesis and Platform/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem. Despite having a similar name to the NES game, it is not a port. Two years later, Tecmo released two more sequels - ''Tecmo Super Bowl 2: Special Edition'' and ''Tecmo Super Bowl 3: The Final Edition''. Despite the last one implying it was the final edition, another ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' game was released for the Sony Platform/PlayStation in 1996. Nearly ''twelve'' years later, the franchise was reborn with the release of ''Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff'' for the Platform/NintendoDS in November 2008. The most recent release in the series was ''Tecmo Bowl Throwback'' for the Platform/XBox360 and the Platform/PlayStation3 in April 2010.
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4	!!The series in general include:
5	* CutScene: Every once in a while, the game will temporarily cut from the game and show, for example, a short cutscene of a field goal or kick. There's more ways to trigger these cut scenes. The older games also had a short halftime show cutscene.
6
7	!!The Arcade and NES versions include the following tropes:
8	* {{Cap}}: Scores top out at 99 points on the NES version. Even if a team were to score or allow 100+ points in a game, only 99 gets counted toward that team's total.
9	** This cap is removed from the 16-bit versions, as scores of 100 or more points are now displayable on the scoreboard.
10	* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: The NES version in particular has only four plays by team, two minutes per quarter but a clock that stops every time a play ends, unable to edit your roster, no injuries, and more.
11	* FoeTossingCharge: If the defense play matches the offense play that is used, the offensive line will explode and render the quarterback and running back helpless to a sacking.
12	* GameBreakingBug: On the NES version, inputting certain passwords will cause the game to freeze if you call an offensive play.
13	** In Tecmo Super Bowl, controlling the nose tackle and making an inside move on the center will always result in a tackle for loss, no matter what. Many competitive TSB leagues consider controlling the DT cheating because of this.
14	** In Tecmo Bowl, it's possible for a glitch to allow you to play an ultra-powerful team of bugged players with solid grey uniforms and superhuman stats. Sadly, the grey team is too glitchy to play an entire game with.
15	* JackOfAllStats: Washington's team is well-balanced. Doug Williams has two potent weapons to use in players like Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders. They retain that distinction in TSB, only with Mark Rypien replacing Doug Williams.
16	* JokeCharacter: Steve Grogan is typically seen as the worst player in Tecmo Super Bowl.
17	* TheJuggernaut: Many games will feature a running back with such high hitting power that they can basically plow through defenders. The only way to stop them is with a diving tackle, which always works.
18	** In the original Tecmo Bowl, Herschel Walker of Dallas and to a slightly lesser extent Kevin Mack of Cleveland.
19	** In the NES version of Tecmo Super Bowl, there are a few: Reggie Cobb of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Christian Okoye of the Kansas City Chiefs, Michael Haddix of the Green Bay Packers, and Craig "Ironhead" Heyward of the New Orleans Saints (NES version of ''Super Bowl'') and Atlanta Falcons (SNES version of ''Super Bowl'', ''II'' and ''III'').
20	* LightningBruiser: Creator/BoJackson of Los Angeles. If the other player doesn't stop his run, he'll score a touchdown before the other player can react. Same with the barrage Jerry Rice and Joe Montana can prepare on unsuspecting players.
21	** Christian Okoye and Ottis Anderson in TSB.
22	* OldSaveBonus: The Game Boy version used the same password system as the NES game, making it possible to continue your progress from one system on the other.
23	* StoneWall: Lawrence Taylor can block field goal kicks and can shut down any offense plays, if timed right. Fredd Young (Seattle) is almost as good. Chicago has ''two'' stone walls - Steve [=McMichael=] and Mike Singletary.
24	* WritingAroundTrademarks: The original Tecmo Bowl hadn't gotten a license to use the actual NFL team names and logos, only the player names. The teams were referred to only by [=city/state=], and the logos were completely different.[[note]]Indianapolis - narwhal, Miami - werewolf, Cleveland - dinosaur, Denver - elf girl, Seattle - knight helmet, San Francisco - gladiator helmet, Dallas - weird abstract bird and jet design, Chicago - penguin wearing a crown. Los Angeles, Washington, New York and Minnesota - their locations' initials[[/note]] The Virtual Console releases didn't even get the rights to the player names, so each player is identified only by number.
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26	!!Tecmo Super Bowl II and III include the following tropes
27	* GameBreakingBug:
28	** In Tecmo Super Bowl III, if a player fumbles, the word 'FUMBLE' scrolls across the screen. If the ball is recovered before the scrolling word is finished, the game does not recognize change of possession. So, should the defender return the fumble for a touchdown, they score a safety instead. Should the defense recover a fumble after a long pass and fail to return it far, first down for the offense.
29	** In Tecmo Super Bowl III, if the computer is behind and happens to score a touchdown as time runs out, the computer will get caught in an infinite loop of going for the two point conversion, changing its mind, deciding to go for the two point conversion, changing its mind, deciding to go for the two point conversion...
30	* LightningBruiser: Daryl Johnston of the Dallas Cowboys has one of the highest hitting powers in the game, and is pretty fast. Combine that and he's so good that it's common for Cowboys players to switch up their playbook to give him more runs, and sometimes even switch him and Emmitt Smith.

Context VideoGame / TecmoBowl