California Games Deep cut
Nintendo Entertainment System · Sports
John Elway's Quarterback
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 (originally 1987) |
| Genre | Sports |
| Developer | Rareware |
| Publisher | Tradewest |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 2 |
John Elway's Quarterback is a sports game released in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Rareware and published by Tradewest. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987.
It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and DuckTales.
Rareware also made Battletoads, Battletoads & Double Dragon and Cobra Triangle for the NES.
John Elway's Quarterback supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to race and compete
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you need current teams and rosters
What playing John Elway's Quarterback 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Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.
John Elway's Quarterback cheats & codes
2 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:
| P1's Total Score Modifier | 072F:00 |
|---|---|
| P2/CPU's Total Score Modifier | 0730:00 |
John Elway's Quarterback walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for John Elway's Quarterback.
If you like John Elway's Quarterback, the Matrix also picks…
Nintendo World Cup Classic
NES Open Tournament Golf Classic
Ice Hockey Classic
Tennis Classic
Baseball Classic
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
John Elway's Quarterback FAQ
When did John Elway's Quarterback come out on the NES?
John Elway's Quarterback was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1987.
Who made John Elway's Quarterback?
It was developed by Rareware and published by Tradewest.
Is John Elway's Quarterback multiplayer?
Yes. John Elway's Quarterback supports up to 2 players.
How long does John Elway's Quarterback take to play?
As a sports game, John Elway's Quarterback 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 John Elway's Quarterback 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.