Tecmo Super Bowl
When motivation meets opportunity, amazing feats are possible; today was such a day. After a 4-day vacation to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, the family and I returned to a sweltering 100+ degree house at about 11:00 p.m. We all fell asleep almost immediately as the air conditioning stumbled to life in order to aid our faltering bodies. I awoke at about 8:30 by myself in the basement and found two surprises. The first surprise was "the opportunity" - Sophia (she's 2.5 years old now...holy smokes) was taken to day care by Mom. The second surprise was "the motivation" - a package, sitting on the front stoop; a little brown box from a long lost friend (many adventure/fantasy movies begin much like this); in the box was a shirt; a relatively simple shirt; it was a plain grey/black cotton t-shirt with a picture of the NES controller. This package also contained a note; it said "Play some Tecmo for me". Well, Ryan Carrigan, consider it done. Fourteen hours later, kids and wife put to sleep, '90s alternative music playing in the background, the Super Bowl Champs, the San Fransisco 49ers, 19-0.
There are many ways to play Tecmo; when more time was available, each alternative strategy was tested thoroughly. The strategy used today was to dominate with the 49ers passing game; yes it is common opinion that this is cheating. The first eight games were limited to Joe Montana and Jerry Rice; the only other players to touch the ball were kick/punt/fumble returners. Going in to game eight, the NFL Leaders board developed an apparent glitch; it seemed to error on Montana and on Rice. One more game was needed to test the theory that an error had occurred. Half way through game eight, Joe Montana got hurt and Steve Young got called in for back up duty for the rest of the regular season. Rice caught eleven touchdown passes that game, ten from Montana. After the game, the error was confirmed; Montana's and Rice's statistics had limited out. It appears that neither the yards nor the touchdowns added on to the stats. With this knowledge, the season's strategy was modified. The second half of the season, Steve Young to John Taylor was the only connection. The goal was to get two quarterbacks and two receivers statistics limited out. It did not happen. The second half of the season is much tougher than than the first; however, if Rice's and Montana's statistics were transfered over from that eighth game to Young and Taylor, it would have been achievable. Once the playoffs rolled in, the only goal was a very passive attempt to get everybody into the endzone. It was close, but the tight ends couldn't make it; each got tackled on the one-yard-line.
Some fun statistics mounted up and as the season went along. The top three sackers, each with over 30 were Charles Haley (39), Bill Romanowski (36), and Ronnie Lott(33). The top scorers were 1st place - Rice (63+ at least 10 touchdowns, unofficial because of glitch, 378 points), 2nd place - John Taylor 52 touchdowns, 312 points) and 7th place - Mike Cofer 131 extra points. The total defense was 240 yards allowed. The best game was against the Vikings; the hatred must shine through; Score 88-0, Montana to Rice 808 yards. The first game of the season was a similar one, but just really got the team off to a great start. It was disappointing that the offense couldn't score 1000 points in the season.
The playoff brackets were very nostalgic. It seemed to represent football before it was thoroughly corrupted by Paul Tagliabue and furthermore by Roger Goodell. The playoffs were a breeze as the 49ers and the Raiders dueled it out in the Super Bowl. It was not very much of a duel. Bo Jackson was overhyped. He never busted a run for more than a couple yards. It was rather unfortunate to see the best running back ever stifled in the biggest game of his career. The 49ers defense was as good as advertised and the offense was unstoppable.
Tecmo Super Bowl remains the best football video game of all time. The multiplayer is fantastic, the statistics are organized and simple. The gameplay is challenging and fun. The parity amongst teams keeps all of the teams competitive and games unpredictable.
Thank you again Ryan for getting my priorities straightened out. Teachers shouldn't be this busy in the summer.
Some fun statistics mounted up and as the season went along. The top three sackers, each with over 30 were Charles Haley (39), Bill Romanowski (36), and Ronnie Lott(33). The top scorers were 1st place - Rice (63+ at least 10 touchdowns, unofficial because of glitch, 378 points), 2nd place - John Taylor 52 touchdowns, 312 points) and 7th place - Mike Cofer 131 extra points. The total defense was 240 yards allowed. The best game was against the Vikings; the hatred must shine through; Score 88-0, Montana to Rice 808 yards. The first game of the season was a similar one, but just really got the team off to a great start. It was disappointing that the offense couldn't score 1000 points in the season.
The playoff brackets were very nostalgic. It seemed to represent football before it was thoroughly corrupted by Paul Tagliabue and furthermore by Roger Goodell. The playoffs were a breeze as the 49ers and the Raiders dueled it out in the Super Bowl. It was not very much of a duel. Bo Jackson was overhyped. He never busted a run for more than a couple yards. It was rather unfortunate to see the best running back ever stifled in the biggest game of his career. The 49ers defense was as good as advertised and the offense was unstoppable.
Tecmo Super Bowl remains the best football video game of all time. The multiplayer is fantastic, the statistics are organized and simple. The gameplay is challenging and fun. The parity amongst teams keeps all of the teams competitive and games unpredictable.
Thank you again Ryan for getting my priorities straightened out. Teachers shouldn't be this busy in the summer.
