Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff

 DS
  • Publisher: Tecmo
  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2008
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. ZTGD
    85
    With arcade-like, simplistic game play and easy controls, Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff gives a nice little alternative to the realism found in that other football title. Now if we could only get an Xbox Live Arcade or PSN version with online leagues life would be grand.
  2. G4 TV
    80
    It’s never going to be the next Madden in terms of sales or simulation, but what Tecmo Bowl Kickoff does offer is fast, fun football action on the go and you owe it to yourself to pick it up, especially if you grew up with the series and want to bring a little nostalgia back into your life.
  3. GameZone
    80
    Tecmo’s gridiron throwback is as addictive and fun as it was in 1989.
  5. IGN
    77
    One solid, well-designed retro football experience. It's a great "remember when" piece; the football experience definitely has a hard time holding up to today’s sports experiences, but Tecmo does everything it can to make sure Tecmo Bowl fans have something to cherish in a current generation product on the Nintendo DS.
  6. Nintendojo
    77
    Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff is a faithful reinterpretation of the classic pigskin game that everyone knows and loves.
  7. Game Chronicles
    75
    Except for those hardest of the hardcore old school Tecmo Bowl fans, there are few gamers who would say that Tecmo Bowl’s antiquated gameplay in any way holds a candle against today’s immersive 3D football offerings. But for those looking for a nostalgic trip down memory lane, Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff fits the bill perfectly.

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Best DS Game of 2008
52
#52 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
67
#67 Most Shared DS Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
  1. JustinD.
    Jun 12, 2009
    7
    An old classic brought back to life, the Tecmo Bowl series was insanely popular, back when there was no Madden or 2K Sports to rule the An old classic brought back to life, the Tecmo Bowl series was insanely popular, back when there was no Madden or 2K Sports to rule the market. And what you got in those Tecmo Bowl games back then, are a spitting image of what you get here, for better or worse. A graphic and engine style that could run on an NES, it's simple gameplay is easy to pick up, but difficult to master. Or, in other words, for a Madden generation, confusing to master. Passing can be done in two ways. First with buttons, where tapping a button will go through your recievers until you land upon one which you want to throw to, and then you'd press the button to throw, which is quite different than having a reciever assigned to a button you could simply press, but for retro sake, the old style remains. Secondly, and slightly easier is to use the DS touch screen. With the touch screen, you can tap your reciever twice to select and throw the ball. This seems like the better of the two, but the touch pad can have some sensitivty and placement issues, many times which resorts in the user tapping directly on the reciever, but it never registering, which leads to a nice sack in your confusion. The running game is simple enough, pick the play and move with the D-Pad. Another option is leading your back by dragging the stylus over the touch pad, but here, D-Pad is easier. One of the huge draws about this game is it's INCREDIBLY in-depth game editor. Obviously this game has no NFL license, and it's players are randomly generated names and teams which on start-up have vague associations with pro teams. But with the editor, you can change absolutely everything about a team, from name, city, colors, uniforms, logo, and playbook. Which goes without saying, players are fully editable as well, along with stats, and with a bit of effort, you can have a replica of the NFL in no time. The replayability comes with the addition of a Season mode, where you simply pick a team and play out a season. It has a simplistic trading mode between teams that can keep things interesting, but for game mode depth, that's the only option. Overall, the game is very easy to find yourself picking up and playing many times throughout a day, and being hard to put down.… Full Review »
  2. wowboywowboy
    Dec 5, 2008
    10
    Finally! I've been waiting and I'm glued like I was back in the day. The stylus control is sweet and the gameplay is the way I Finally! I've been waiting and I'm glued like I was back in the day. The stylus control is sweet and the gameplay is the way I remember it. Worth the cost of my DS!… Full Review »
  3. PaulC
    Nov 20, 2008
    10
    Don't listen to reviewers. This is a GREAT football game and a history lesson to all youngsters that Tecmo Bowl was the building Don't listen to reviewers. This is a GREAT football game and a history lesson to all youngsters that Tecmo Bowl was the building foundation for all of video game football today. Tecmo Bowl Kickoff does not mess with the old formula. It plays exactly like it did 17 years ago with some new improvements. HUT, HUT, HUT this game is FUN, FUN, FUN. See you online!!!… Full Review »
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