Tecmo Bowl
Call the play, launch the bomb and pray your receiver doesn't trip.
Coming soon to UsuArcade
Votes to bring it to the arcade: 0
In the meantime, head into the arcade and play the cabinets that are already there
- Year
- 1987
- Manufacturer
- Tecmo
- Players
- 4 players at once
- Genres
- Sports
- Decade
- '80s arcade games
Tecmo Bowl took a sport packed with rules and made it something anyone could pick up in thirty seconds: call a play, run or pass, and race for the end zone. In the arcade it was one of the few sports games that drew a crowd.
It isn't on UsuArcade yet, but it's on the arcade wish list.
History
Tecmo released Tecmo Bowl in arcades in 1987, in a two-screen cabinet built for group play. It later came home to consoles, where it became even more famous.
Its simplicity and quick pace made it a benchmark for arcade-style sports games.
How to play
On offense you choose from a handful of run or pass plays, then control the ball carrier to pick up yards. On defense you try to guess the other team's play and dive for the tackle at just the right moment.
The plays are short and simple, but outguessing your opponent is a mind game all its own. One perfect deep pass or a run that jukes the whole defense can swing the game in seconds.
Fun facts
- The arcade version used a cabinet with two screens side by side.
- Calling the right play matters as much as fast thumbs.
- It kicked off a whole series of Tecmo football games.
In the arcade
Tecmo Bowl is coming soon to UsuArcade. It's on the wish list, and you can vote for it with the “I want to play it” button. Meanwhile, if you're into sports with bragging rights, the arcade has NBA Jam, Super Sidekicks 2 and Track & Field, right in your browser with friends watching the game.
Once Tecmo Bowl lands in the arcade, you'll be able to play it online two-player, each on your own phone or PC, in the same game.
FAQ
Can I play Tecmo Bowl on UsuArcade?
Not yet. It's on the wish list, and you can vote for it with “I want to play it”.
What year did Tecmo Bowl come out?
In 1987, as a Tecmo arcade game.
How do you play Tecmo Bowl?
Pick a run or pass play and control the ball carrier; on defense, guess the play and make the tackle.
What sports games can I play there now?
NBA Jam, Super Sidekicks 2 and Track & Field, among others.
