Tecmo Bowl Game Boy box art

Game Boy · Sports / Action

Tecmo Bowl

Deep cut

SystemGame Boy
Released1991 (originally 1987)
GenreSports, Action
DeveloperTecmo
PublisherTecmo
Players1 player
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 3

Released for the Game Boy in 1991, Tecmo Bowl is a sports game developed by Tecmo. This Game Boy release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987. It blends sports and action elements.

It landed about 2 years into the Game Boy's life. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1991 include Metroid II: Return of Samus, Final Fantasy Adventure and Yoshi. Among the 92 Game Boy sports games in our database, it ranks #14 by legacy score.

Tecmo also made Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone for the Game Boy.

Tecmo Bowl is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you've played the Game Boy hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you need current teams and rosters
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Tecmo Bowl is like

Sports games bring football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling and more to the console, from simulation-style management to over-the-top arcade action.

Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.

Tecmo Bowl gameplay screenshot on Game Boy
In-game screenshot (Game Boy)

Tecmo Bowl cheats & codes

12 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

Have 49 Downs494-D6B-F7A
Have 5 Downs054-D6B-F7A
8 Minutes 30 Seconds Per Quarter084-EFB-E6E
6 Minutes 30 Seconds Per Quarter064-EFB-E6E
1 Minutes 30 Seconds Per Quarter014-EFB-E6E
Infinite Time00D-C9A-3BE

See all Tecmo Bowl cheats

Tecmo Bowl walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Tecmo Bowl.

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Playing Game Boy games today

Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.

Tecmo Bowl FAQ

When did Tecmo Bowl come out on the Game Boy?

Tecmo Bowl was released for the Game Boy in 1991; the original game dates back to 1987.

Who made Tecmo Bowl?

It was developed by Tecmo.

Is Tecmo Bowl multiplayer?

No. Tecmo Bowl is a single-player game.

How long does Tecmo Bowl take to play?

As a sports game, Tecmo Bowl typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Tecmo Bowl on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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