History VideoGame / TecmoBowl

* 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]]

** 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.

* {{Cap}}: Scores top out at 99 points on the NES version. Even if a team were to score 100 points or more in a game, only 99 gets counted toward that team's total--or, for the losing team, only 99 points are added to their "OPP"[[note]]points scored by opponents[[/note]] column.

* FoeTossingCharge: If the defense play matches the offense play that is used, the offensive line will explode and render the quarterback and runningback helpless to a sacking.

** GoodBadBugs: Certain passwords also allow {{Mirror Match}}es.

* JackOfAllStats: Washington's team is well-balanced. Doug Williams has two potent weapons to use in players like Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders. Washington retains that distinction in TSB, only with Mark Rypien replacing Doug Williams.
* [[JokeCharacter Joke Player]]: Steve Grogan in Tecmo Super Bowl.

* OffModel: Due to sprite color limitations, in the original Tecmo Bowl, Seattle (whose blue-green color scheme was too close to Miami's) was stuck wearing pink uniforms.

* 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.

''Tecmo Bowl'' is a video game series. It is based on American Football and was released in arcades in 1987. It was later ported to the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem in 1989 (and ported twice again - once in 1991 for the UsefulNotes/GameBoy and again for the UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole in 2007; albeit in the VC release, the players' names are removed and represented by their number) You can choose from 12 teams, a password option, and started a trend. In December 1991, a sequel was released called Tecmo SuperBowl. Nearly two years later, Tecmo Super Bowl was brought to the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis and UsefulNotes/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 UsefulNotes/PlayStation in 1996. Nearly ''twelve'' years later, the franchise was reborn with the release of Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS in November 2008. The most recent release in the series was Tecmo Bowl Throwback for the UsefulNotes/XBox360 and the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 in April 2010.

''Tecmo Bowl'' is a video game series. It is based on American Football and was released in arcades in 1987. It was later ported to the NintendoEntertainmentSystem in 1989 (and ported twice again - once in 1991 for the GameBoy and again for the VirtualConsole in 2007; albeit in the VC release, the players' names are removed and represented by their number) You can choose from 12 teams, a password option, and started a trend. In December 1991, a sequel was released called Tecmo SuperBowl. Nearly two years later, Tecmo Super Bowl was brought to the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis and UsefulNotes/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 UsefulNotes/PlayStation in 1996. Nearly ''twelve'' years later, the franchise was reborn with the release of Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS in November 2008. The most recent release in the series was Tecmo Bowl Throwback for the UsefulNotes/XBox360 and the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 in April 2010.

The Arcade and NES versions include the following tropes:

The series in general include:

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: The NES version in particular has only four plays by team, two minutes per quarter, unable to edit your roster, no injuries, and more.

''Tecmo Bowl'' is a video game series. It is based on American Football and was released in arcades in 1987. It was later ported to the NintendoEntertainmentSystem in 1989 (and ported twice again - once in 1991 for the GameBoy and again for the VirtualConsole in 2007; albeit in the VC release, the players' names are removed and represented by their number) You can choose from 12 teams, a password option, and started a trend. In December 1991, a sequel was released called Tecmo SuperBowl. Nearly two years later, Tecmo Super Bowl was brought to the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis and UsefulNotes/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 PlayStation in 1996. Nearly ''twelve'' years later, the franchise was reborn with the release of Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff for the NintendoDS in November 2008. The most recent release in the series was Tecmo Bowl Throwback for the {{XBox 360}} and the {{PlayStation3}} in April 2010.

''Tecmo Bowl'' is a video game series. It is based on American Football and was released in arcades in 1987. It was later ported to the NintendoEntertainmentSystem in 1989 (and ported twice again - once in 1991 for the GameBoy and again for the VirtualConsole in 2007; albeit in the VC release, the players' names are removed and represented by their number) You can choose from 12 teams, a password option, and started a trend. In December 1991, a sequel was released called Tecmo SuperBowl. Nearly two years later, Tecmo Super Bowl was brought to the SegaGenesis and 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 PlayStation in 1996. Nearly ''twelve'' years later, the franchise was reborn with the release of Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff for the NintendoDS in November 2008. The most recent release in the series was Tecmo Bowl Throwback for the {{XBox 360}} and the {{PlayStation3}} in April 2010.

** In Tecmo Super Bowl, controlling the nose tackle and making an inside move on the center will always result in a sack, no matter what. Many competitive TSB leagues consider controlling the DT cheating because of this.

** In the NES version of Tecmo Super Bowl, Michael Haddix of Green Bay is this. His hitting power is so high that most defenders will simply bounce off of him unless they hit him with a diving tackle (which always works on anyone). He can easily plow through defensive linemen on a run play. The Chiefs' Christian Okoye is just as nasty with this, as is Craig "Ironhead" Heyward of the Saints/Falcons and Reggie Cobb of the Buccaneers.

** In the sequel, the Chicago Bears and New York Giants (against certain teams) wear black helmets and to make up for a lack of navy blue.

* JackOfAllStats: Washington's team is well-balanced. Doug Williams has two potent weapons to use in players like Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders.

** In the NES version of Tecmo Super Bowl, Michael Haddix of Green Bay is this. His hitting power is so high that most defenders will simply bounce off of him unless they hit him with a diving tackle (which always works on anyone). He can easily plow through defensive linemen on a run play.
** In any of the SNES Tecmo Super Bowls, Craig Hayward of Atlanta.

* LightningBruiser: Bo Jackson 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.
* 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.

* TheJuggernaut: In the NES version of Tecmo Super Bowl, Michael Haddix of Green Bay is this. His hitting power is so high that most defenders will simply bounce off of him unless they hit him with a diving tackle (which always works on anyone). He can easily plow through defensive linemen on a run play.

* 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.

* 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.

* BeamMeUpScotty: When gamers show videos showing Bo Jackson's infamous invincibility, they usually use footage from Tecmo Super Bowl. Not only is Jackson toned down in that game, there are several players who can do the same things (Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders and Christian Okoye, to name a few). It's the original NES version where Jackson is friggin invincible.

* StoneWall: Lawrence Taylor can block field goal kicks and can shut down any offense plays, if timed right. Chicago has ''two'' stone walls - Steve McMichael and Mike Singletary.

* GameBreaker: There are many videos that show off the improbable skills of 8-bit Bo Jackson. To this day, he's usually the first reference point mentioned when ''Tecmo Bowl'' is brought up.

''Tecmo Bowl'' is a video game series. It is based on American Football and was released in arcades in 1987. It was later ported to the NintendoEntertainmentSystem in 1989 (and ported twice again - once in 1991 for the GameBoy and again for the VirtualConsole in 2007; albeit in the VC release, the players' names are removed and represented by their number) You can choose from 12 teams, a password option, and started a trend. In December 1991, a sequel was released called Tecmo Super Bowl. Nearly two years later, Tecmo Super Bowl was brought to the SegaGenesis and 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 PlayStation in 1996. Nearly ''twelve'' years later, the franchise was reborn with the release of Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff for the NintendoDS in November 2008. The most recent release in the series was Tecmo Bowl Throwback for the {{XBox 360}} and the {{PlayStation3}} in April 2010.

''Tecmo Bowl'' is a video game series. It is based on American Football and was released in arcades in 1987. It was later ported to the {{NES}} in 1989 (and ported twice again - once in 1991 for the GameBoy and again for the VirtualConsole in 2007; albeit in the VC release, the players' names are removed and represented by their number) You can choose from 12 teams, a password option, and started a trend. In December 1991, a sequel was released called Tecmo Super Bowl. Nearly two years later, Tecmo Super Bowl was brought to the MegaDrive and Genesis. 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 PlayStation in 1996. Nearly ''twelve'' years later, the franchise was reborn with the release of Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff for the NintendoDS in November 2008. The most recent release in the series was Tecmo Bowl Throwback for the {{XBox 360}} and the {{PlayStation3}} in April 2010.