- Release Date: September 10, 1998
- Genre: Sports
- Style: Football (American)
- Similar Games: NBA Jam (Game Boy), NBA Jam (Sega Game Gear), NBA Jam (Sega Genesis), NBA Jam (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), NBA Jam (Sega CD), NBA Jam (Arcade), Open Ice (Arcade), NFL Xtreme (PlayStation)
Game Description
From the creators of NBA Jam, NFL Blitz provides football fans with a new way to play their favorite sport. Tired of a measly 10 yards needed for a first down? This game requires 30. Think 11 men per side is too many? Try a seven-on-seven match-up. Hate yelling at the stupid referees? They're gone. In fact, such unsportsmanlike acts as late hits and pass interference are actually encouraged in this game -- anything to keep the other team from scoring. Along with the bone-crunching hits comes an accelerated pace as your real NFL players on their 1998 teams turn on their Turbo meters and play with superhuman abilities.There are three different play modes in NFL Blitz. In "Arcade" mode, your objective is to defeat all of the NFL's 30 teams as you take on either the computer or a friend. "Season Play" mode allows you to guide your favorite team through an NFL season on its way to the Super Bowl. Besides the standings, stats are also featured in this mode. Finally, "Tournament Play" mode involves three to eight players in a single elimination tournament to see who is best.
~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
Just when football games were starting to bore me, along came NFL Blitz. Throw out strategy. Throw out realism. This game just lets you have some flat-out fun.But what else is to be expected from the makers of NBA Jam? In fact, NFL Blitz is very much the NBA Jam of football. Like its basketball counterpart, NFL Blitz features fewer players, fast-paced action, superhuman abilities and -- perhaps most interestingly -- no rules.
Without a doubt, the most fun element of this game is the way that you can absolutely pummel anyone. Such a variety of tackles exist that you'll see something new even after playing several games. They range everywhere from a suplex to simply throwing a good knock-out punch. Better still, you can do this even after the play is over -- without getting a late hit penalty! Nothing like hitting a man when he's down, huh?
The game has some other nice touches that make it unique. For example, "1st and 30" sounds like a lot to ask, but with these players' abilities it's really not that bad. Also, the short games can make playing an entire season possible for those of us that don't have the time (or possibly the patience) to do so with other more "realistic" football games, such as those from EA Sports. And, of course, there is the Turbo feature. When a player uses his Turbo he is very likely to mow over a defender or cause a fumble with a bone-crunching hit.
The faults of this game are few, and to point them out can seem rather picky. For instance, if the computer is going to show you your statistics for a game, it would be nice if they actually left them on the screen long enough for you to look at them.
Also, some might frown upon only eight defensive plays and 16 offensive ones (which can actually be "flipped" for 32). Not me, though. This game isn't going for simulation, so a plethora of plays isn't really necessary. (Besides, don't you usually just find yourself using the same plays over and over again in other football games anyway?)
NFL Blitz should satisfy just about anyone looking for a different type of football game. If you're getting tired of the yearly rehashes that most other football games are these days, then give it a try. Besides, who need realism when you can just have lots of fun?
~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
You've gotta love a football game that actually encourages unnecessary roughness.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
The players look great, but there's an obvious difference from the arcade version.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
Madness! Lots of bass and pounding hits. If you've got some stereo speakers, you're in for a real treat.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
I can see that the shortage of plays and late hits could get old. (But they haven't for me yet, after playing for a good 20 hours.)~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
Lots of info here . . . except how to kick a field goal! You'll have to figure that move out for yourself.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Production Credits
MIDWAY PLAYSTATION TEAM Project Manager: David Schwartz ; Programming: David Schwartz, James Justin, Byron, Warner, Tod Frye, J. Hobbs ; Art: Juan Galceran, Francisco Gracia, Roel Jovellanous, Franz Borowitz, Bert Huntsinger ; Software Development Manager: Brian Johnson ; Sound and Music/Video & Audio Editing: Aubrey Hodges ; Print Design & Production: Debra Austin, Gary Gonzales, Jon Mongelluzzo, Chris Mowry, Erin Shems, Chris Vine, Dave Young ; Test Manager: Rob Sablan ; Lead Tester: Dan Wagner ; Testers: Sheila Julaton, Nico Bihary, Armando Cortez, Vinh Du, Jeff Greenhut, Scott Lanigan, Steve Montano, Alex Salcedo, Jason Thayne ; MIDWAY ARCADE DESIGN TEAM Game Designers: Mark Turmell, Sal Divita ; Programming: Jason Skiles, Mike Lynch, Mark Turmell, Jeff Johnson, Dan Thompson, Mark Guidarelli ; Art: Sal Divita, Luis Mangubat, Jennifer Hedrick, John Root, Jim Gentile ; Sound & Music: Dan Forden ; Play Testers: Eddie Ferrier, Paulo Garcia, Brian Lebaron, Mike Venikour; Dedicated to the Memory of: Frank DiVita, Art Tianis
~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
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