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Conference rusure::nintendo

Title:Nintendo Game Systems
Notice:Please enter Super NES notes in Yuppy::Super_NES.
Moderator:RUSURE::EDP
Created:Tue Oct 20 1987
Last Modified:Mon Feb 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:847
Total number of notes:11602

239.0. "TECMO BOWL" by SAHQ::SCHULTZ (Craig Schultz) Wed Mar 22 1989 15:39

    Nintendo must be ramping up production because slowly new games
    are begining to trickle out.  Just bought TECMO BOWL.  It is an
    excellent football game.  It has 12 or 14 teams (not NFL teams)
    with NFL players (confused...don't be...they licensed the names
    of the players from the NFL players association, but not the NFL
    teams - ie: Walter Payton and Mike Singletary play for the Chicago
    team but the team is not the Bears).  Anyway...the action is fast,
    the graphics and sound is excellent, and it puts you into the
    quarterback position.
    
    The only nit is that there are only four offensive plays per team.
    The defense chooses which offensive play it will defend against.
    If you guess right, you will stuff the play in your opponnents face!
    Guess wrong and well, the play could go all the way...
    
    On a scale of one to ten I give a conservitive rating of 8.  A must
    have for football fanatics!
    
    Craig
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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239.1CSC32::J_WARDLESHU..final four looks fine in '89Wed Mar 22 1989 17:478
    At last....we've been waiting for this game.
    
    Sounds good. Can you play a season or is it just  a one game at
    a time game. That is, is it a password game?
    
    I thought in the review it said it was a password game...
    
    Jim
239.2RE: 239.1SAHQ::SCHULTZCraig SchultzThu Mar 23 1989 15:2827
    Reply to 239.1
    
    You play a season where the computer will randomly pick your opponnet.
    I you win 7 games without a loss you get into the playoffs.  If
    you win your 3 playoff games, you go to the TEMCO Bowl for the
    championship!  (if you lose a game along the way, it will as if
    you want to continue.  If you continue, you play the same team again.)
    
    You play every team the system has and have to beat each one in
    order to claim the title.  There is a password feature which allows
    you to resume your season during another session.
    
    There is also a 'coach' feature which levels the playing field between
    people who are good with the controller and people that are not.
    The coach feature allows each play to pick a play and the computer
    will control the movement of key players in the game.  I much prefer
    being in total control but I suppose the feature has its uses.
    
    Each quarter is 1:30 long (1 minute, 30 seconds).  It is real time
    in that it is really 90 seconds.  The clock stops at the end of
    each play so no time outs or need to run out of bounds to stop the
    clock.  There is also no time limit (at least that I have found)
    for selecting your plays.
    
    Let me know if you need more info -
    
    Craig 
239.3CSC32::J_WARDLESHU..final four looks fine in '89Thu Mar 23 1989 16:176
    Craig, how much control do you really have. My problem with some
    of the sports games is that you don't have alot of control. Also,
    have you found any bugs that give you a TD or interception every
    time?
    
    Jim
239.4Pretty good gameIOENG::PARADISOHey Porcupine, give'em the anesthetic. Give!Fri Mar 24 1989 10:0728
   re:-.1
 
    Jim,
       You can control any of the men on your team by pressing B and the down
    arrow before each snap.  A number "1" on defense and numbers "1" and "2"
    appear on offense to signify which players are in control.  So I could
    control the middle linebacker on my team or the right cornerback, etc.
    You can control how far you kickoff goes and how much "leg" you give
    to your punts and fiekd goals.
       The only bug I've seen while playing is that I received a kickoff
    in the endzone and waited for the kicking to come and get me (I 
    wanted a touchback), but the computer got a safety instead. Boy,
    was I ripped!
       Overall, it's a pretty good game.  I especially like the fact
    that the players are real.  Every tackle,TD,Punt,Kick,Run,Pass,
    etc. is done by someone on the real team.  For ex: I had Eric
    Dickerson and the Colts last night and Jack Trudeau was the QB,
    Albert Bently was a KO and punt returner, Bouza, Brooks, etc.
    were receivers, Biasucci the kicker and Rohn Stark was the 
    punter.  It's very realistic too.  Dickerson is FAST which
    allows him to break long gainers while if Trudeau tries to
    scramble he runs like a whale.  Miami is a great passing team,
    but awful defensively.  Denver has Elway at QB, but he is 
    pretty much their whole offense.
        The don't have every team, like the Pats 8^(, and I'm
    not sure if the have the JETS.

						Dave
239.5TecmoBowlSALEM::LEWISFri Mar 24 1989 15:2911
    The game sounds pretty good. A couple of questions on the game.
    Being that you have limited offensive & defensive plays does this
    affect the overall play? What I mean does the game become boring
    since you have limited selection of plays? There is another game
    coming out (John Elway Quarterback) how does Tecmo bowl stack up
    to it. The last two questions are where did you get it and how much
    did it cost? 
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jim who_was_waiting_for_something_better_than_10_yard_fight!!
239.6TECMOBOWL49ER::EDWARDSMon Mar 27 1989 11:2313
    
    No I don't think it hinder's the play at all,because you have
    three men to pass to or the Q B can run it himself.  It's not
    like the game has only four plays.  Each team has a different
    set of plays. Denver has three pass plays,one run.  L.A Raiders
    have two pass plays,two runs.  This is a great game. You'll
    like the feeling of running a punt or kickoff back all the way
    for a T.D.  Each team has it's strong points.  Just won Tecmo
    Bowl with the now World champs,the L.A. raiders.  I think you 
    will find that you like tecmo better than JLQ.
    
    
    The long road to be a CHAMPION.
239.7They're HereNEXUS::MARZULLAWed Mar 29 1989 18:177
    
    	For those in Colorado Springs that are interested, Kay Bee Toys
    in Chapel Hills has this game for $53.49 (including tax). Now if
    only the rain holds up and softball gets canceled.......Right Jim??
    
    Steve
    
239.8CSC32::J_WARDLEWhateverhappenedto Chet KincaidThu Mar 30 1989 10:2813
    Well, it rained and softball got cancelled...so I got to play 4
    games of Tecmo Bowl last night. I'm officially 1-3. The Bears are
    awesome. I had Miami against SF and I don't think I stopped them
    once. They scored 40+ pts...
    
    I like the game. The graphics are ok, not great. You have lots of
    control though. So far, so good. I'm gonna play a season.
    
    BTW - what I like best is the speed at which the game is played.
    There are also no long delays between plays and quarters. Even the
    half time show is short.
    
    Jim
239.9Review of Tecmo BowlCOORS::J_WARDLEPJ=COTYMon Apr 10 1989 12:1833
    Here's my review of Tecmo Bowl...
    
    I've had it about 2 weeks and have won the Championship with Chicago
    and Miami. Now I'm using LA (raiders). I have yet to lose a game
    with them. I'm starting to find it easy to win. Now I'm trying to
    shut teams out (haven't succeeded just yet) and/or score 50 points.
    
    Likes:
    
    Speed of play
    Different Characteristics of each team
    Real player names/char's
    Winning a championship
    Ability to choose recievers
    Password feature
    Pretty good control over selected player
    
    Dislikes:
    
    Lack of plays
    Computer is stupid (goes for FG on 4th and 3 with 10 seconds left
    			and down by 4 points)
    Lack of ability to switch defensive players once play has started
    Computers player run faster than yours
    No onsides kicks, fumbles, fair catches, voluntary touchbacks
    Clock starts on the kick, not when it's caught. 
    

    Overall, I'm not as excited about it as I was when I first got it.
    I do like it. I just wish it had a few more features and that the
    computer was a little smarter....
    
    Jim
239.10My .02 worthSALEM::ALIZIOMon Apr 10 1989 14:0828
    
    I bought this game last week and have won the Tecmo Bowl twice.
    I used the LA (Raiders) and Chicago (Bears) teams. They are both
    such strong running teams that you can win without passing once!
    
    The only things I don't particularly care for are:
    
    	You get charged with a safety if you intercept a pass in the
    end zone and don't run it out! I learned this the hard way. 
    	As someone else noted, you can't take a touchback on a kickoff.
    	I find it difficult to spot "open" receivers, particularly on
    long passes. It seems that they're off the screen sometimes, and
    9 times out of 10 you get intercepted. Also, against teams with
    strong secondaries, it seems very difficult to pass without being
    intercepted.
    
    	I think that the challenge in this game is to win the Tecmo
    Bowl using ALL the teams. Since their performance varies according
    to the actual team's performance, winning with a mediocre team calls
    for much more skill than using a powerhouse.
    
    	I also like the "coach" feature. It lets you play against people
    who don't have a great deal of finger dexterity, and gives them
    a chance to win. It's also easier on the thumb and fingers.
    
    
                                                    Paul
    
239.11CSC32::J_WARDLEPJ=COTYTue Apr 11 1989 10:518
    I did manage to lose a couple games yesterday. I was in the
    championship game. I had the Raiders, and I drew the Bears.
    They intercepted alot of my passes and were effective at stopping
    the run.
    
    I literally destroyed all the other teams tho'.
    
    Jim
239.12Bug?NEXUS::MARZULLAWed Apr 12 1989 17:589
    	Saw an interesting bug the other day. After I got a first down
    rushing, I was tackled but the whistle never blew. I was being mobbed
    by the whole defensive team while the clock ticked down to the end
    of the quarter. I could do nothing but watch. I was pressing the
    A button like a madman with no luck. I let the game sit this way
    for over 10 mins. (hopeing for a whistle) before finally resetting
    the game and starting over..Has anybody else seen this "bug"? That
    was the only time I had seen it...
    
239.13CSC32::J_WARDLEsurrounded by 10K'sWed Apr 12 1989 18:077
    Steve, was this before or after your party?
    
    haw haw haw haw....
    
    Haven't seen that bug yet.
    
    Jim
239.14trick to skip the halftime showCSC32::J_WARDLEsurrounded by 10K'sMon Apr 24 1989 10:307
    I found an interesting little trick...
    
    If you have the Advantage controller, and you push the "slow" button
    at the end of the first half, you don't have to watch the half time
    show. It just blinks on and then off and the third quarter starts.
    
    Jim
239.15Pressing START on any controller does it, tooHOCUS::OHARABob 352-2968Wed Apr 26 1989 08:491
    
239.16Questions about the seasonDELNI::S_DOWMANSteveThu Apr 27 1989 13:2112
       I have some questions about the "season" play using the password
       feature. 

       If you lose a game do you continue to play the same team until
       you beat them? What happens if you don't choose "continue" after
       a loss? It seems that you should only get so many chances to
       beat a team to make the playoffs. Is it possible to get to the
       playoffs no matter what your win-loss record is as long as you
       beat seven teams with as many chances as you need? 

       Thanks for any help! 
239.17CSC32::J_WARDLESomebody unplug Walton, pleaseThu Apr 27 1989 14:119
    You continue to replay the same team until you quit. I think they
    should have put in a requirement for a certain number of wins to
    make the playoffs...at this point, it wouldn't matter for me because
    I rarely lose before the playoffs.
    
    In fact, I've just gone without a loss to TECMO Bowl using the Giants.
    I have to play the Browns for the championship.
    
    Jim
239.18all the team names?TOOK::RASPUZZIMichael RaspuzziThu Apr 27 1989 17:094
Can someone list all the teams supplied with this game please?

Thanks,
Mike
239.19Teams and no-names.SKYE::MURRAYDictator of MoronicaThu Apr 27 1989 17:578
    
    Chicago,Miami,Denver,L.A.(Raiders),N.Y.(Giants),Seattle,San Fran,
    Cleveland,Indy,Dallas,Washington and Minnesota.  For the Team
    Names, check the game. The Teams use the players names but have
    different team names. The (Raiders) and (Giants) are only used
    in this note only to show different players than the (Rams) and
    (Jets).
    		Dave.
239.20Where's the bug?MTHOOD::JOYNERGLMon Jul 10 1989 15:209
    Hi all-
         I have a little problem with my new techmo bowl game and I
    was wondering if anyone else is having it.  Every now and then,
    the sound goes out and all I here is static.  After a while, the
    sound comes back.  I just bought my system so I don't know if it
    is the system or the game.  I also live in an apartment so I wonder
    if I'm getting interference from some other apartment.  Any answers
    would be greatly appreciated!
                                           Glen Joyner.
239.21CSC32::J_WARDLENY,Paris,London,PaiaTue Jul 11 1989 19:006
    I don't think it's a bug in the game. I've played more games than I
    care to remember and I don't ever recall it doing that. In fact, the
    only bug I know of is the one Steve mentioned a few notes back, but I
    haven't even seen that one yet.
    
    
239.22Defending Against LAAKOV13::DUPLAKTue Nov 07 1989 12:2335
     I've won the Tecmo Bowl twice, with Chicago and Los Angeles.
     I'm now alternating my play between San Francisco, New York,
     and Miami.  I'm curious to see which one I can win Tecmo Bowl
     with first.  So far, NY & SF are easy teams to win with, but 
     I'm having real trouble with Miami against strong offensive 
     teams.  Miami needs to score each time (even a FG) because 
     their defense is really not strong enough to hold off the better 
     teams.  But I like Miami's passing! It's great fun to throw a 40+ 
     yard bomb! 

     Overall, Los Angeles seems to be -by far- the best team.  Very
     balanced attack.  I've devised a defensive strategy for playing
     against them that seems to work pretty well.  It's hardly fool-
     proof, but I'll put it behind a <FF> anyway.....


     ALthough LA's running attack is formidable, I defend against the
     pass 90% of the time.  I usually defend against a pass to one
     of the backs, as it puts my defense in a decent position in case
     it is a run.  I usually choose to control the right-side (top of 
     screen) cornerback.  This allows me to: (a) guard against a big
     gain by WR (b) set me up for a INT where I only have the
     reciever to beat for a good return, and (c) allow me to rush 
     forward if it's a running play.

     Also, choosing a pass defense can get you a few sacks.  I've 
     pushed LA out of field goal range a few times.  The down side
     to this defense is that the man you control becomes key to 
     stopping runs.  If you blow the tackle, it's a big gainer.
     If you are in the lead, this method also helps to run the
     clock down.  All in all, I have had more success by shutting 
     the LA pass game down than any other method.
     
     
239.23San Fran is my pickCREKE::GEORGEa great team finds a way to winTue Nov 07 1989 15:1820
    -.1
    
    I agree that L.A. is good, but I wouldn't say that they are by far
    the best.  The best overall teams and matchups are LA, Chicago,
    and San Fran.  NY doesn't qualify because, though they have L.T.,
    the offense is lacking.  My personal favorite is S.F.  On defense,
    play Lott in the backfield and pick against the run 3 out of four
    times and it demoralizes opponents.  Lott is too fast for any team
    to get a good pass in except for Chicago's Gentry and LA.  And their
    offense is one of the best.  Out of the shotgun, the guy who slants
    always catches an eight yard gainer and the only one in all of techmo
    bowl who can intercept is Singletary of Chicago.  
    
    LA is tough because you have Bo Jackson.  If your opponent gives
    him the ball and you didn't pick it, he'll gain at least fifteen
    yards or more!  I usually take him out of the game early by picking
    his play almost always.  Then that play won't be picked for some
    time.
    
    ...more later
239.24Still Like LA..AKOV13::DUPLAKMon Nov 13 1989 13:3014


     RE: -1


     No argument here...SF is definitly  a powerhouse to play 
     against.  It must be the difference in our defensive/offensive
     style, because I find it easier (relatively) to shut down SF
     than LA in a 1p vs. computer game.  I can win with either SF
     or LA when I choose to play with them.  Gotta stick to my 
     guns...still think LA's the better team!

     Frank
239.25Password question/requestSALEM::RUSSOSat Nov 24 1990 18:117
    
      There has been numerous mention of passwords. My son played this
     game today with a friend (they rented it) nad were asking if I knew
     any passwords. I told them no but I'd check with the experts.. Well
     experts are they passwords standard for the game and if so can someone
     pass one on?
                  Thanks  Robin
239.26Any more tips???????TURRIS::WLDWST::BADILLONINERS: A state of mind.Sun Dec 09 1990 00:2920
    
    	Does anybody know of any secret tips that they give for Tecmo
    Bowl?  A friend mentioned a few the other day that worked, but I was
    wondering if there were any others.
    
    <<<Press return for tips>>>>>>
    
    	If you are Chicago or San Francisco, you are almost guaranteed to
    block every PAT or FG if your defensive player is the second from the
    top of the screen.  NY is the player(linebacker?)behind the defensive
    line(second from bottom of screen).
    
    
    	When playing a Linebacker position, if the offensive player makes a
    break past your defense.  You can press `A' and `B' together and your 
    player's speed is doubled. It makes it easier to catch those `greater'
    running backs.
    
    
    Fabe