Nintendo Entertainment System · Sports
Tecmo Bowl
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 (originally 1987) |
| Genre | Sports |
| Developer | Tecmo |
| Publisher | Tecmo |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 3 |
Tecmo Bowl is a sports game released in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Tecmo. 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.
Tecmo also made Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos and Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom for the NES.
Tecmo Bowl 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 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Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.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 cheats & codes
16 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| More Time For The 1st Quarter | GAOATSPA |
|---|---|
| Only 2 Downs Allowed | ZAXAYIGA
ZAXOTPGA |
| 6 Downs Allowed | TAXAYIGA
TAXOTPGA |
Tecmo Bowl walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Tecmo Bowl.
If you like Tecmo Bowl, the Matrix also picks…
Tecmo NBA Basketball Deep cut
Nintendo World Cup Classic
NES Open Tournament Golf Classic
Ice Hockey 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.
Tecmo Bowl FAQ
When did Tecmo Bowl come out on the NES?
Tecmo Bowl was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1987.
Who made Tecmo Bowl?
It was developed by Tecmo.
Is Tecmo Bowl multiplayer?
Yes. Tecmo Bowl supports up to 2 players.
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.