RealSports Football

• Release Date: 1983
• Genre: Sports
• Style: Football (American)
• Similar Games: NFL Football (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), Football (Atari Video Computer System), NFL Football (Arcade), NFL Football (Game Boy), NFL Football (Intellivision), NFL Football (Nintendo Entertainment System), NFL Football (Atari Lynx), Super Action Football (ColecoVision)

Game Description

RealSports Football is a six-on-six gridiron match for two players. You can play the game by yourself, but only to practice your offensive skills. There are 18 offensive plays to choose from and three formations. Within the three formations, you can run, pass or kick, according to the play you select.

Unless you are kicking a field goal or punting the ball, you begin each play in control of the quarterback. After you pass the ball to a receiver, control switches to the player that caught the ball. You can also transfer control to a receiver in mid flight. If you hand off the ball, control switches to the running back.

Defensively, there are six plays to choose from. The linemen are assigned to charge the ball carrier and the safeties track the receivers as they run their patterns. You control the middle linebacker and can reposition him anywhere on the field at any time. You can also transfer control to the player closest to the ball.

Unlike real football, RealSports Football lacks two-minute warnings, time outs, injuries, penalties and fumbles. Also, the game clock, which times six- or fifteen-minute quarters (depending on which option is selected), runs twice as fast as real time. However, you will find many of the basic rules and features of traditional football, such as safeties, interceptions, blocked kicks and, of course, tackles and touchdowns.

Roots & Influences

RealSports Football was first available for the Atari 2600 in 1982. It was influenced by the play calling and other realistic features found in NFL Football for the Intellivision.

Production Credits