Image via Complex Original
Tecmo Bowl debuted at arcades all over America in 1988. A year later, the game really took off when it came out for the Nintendo Entertainment System, otherwise known as NES. Tecmo will always have a special place in the hearts of fans and players a like, mostly because it was the first console game that enabled you to play as actual NFL players. 12 teams, four play selection options, you know the deal. Tecmo has obviously been eclipsed by other franchises like Madden, but the nostalgia remains. In fact, some users have gone as far as to replicate actual plays from the NFL playoffs. Yeah, we weren’t sure at first either. Combine famous calls, some of the most memorable plays in playoff history, and some arcade 80s graphics/music, and you get one of the coolest ways to relive the moment. So, from Dwight Clark’s catch at Candlestick to Tracy Porter’s pick six against Peyton, get hyped for the Conference championships with, The Greatest NFL Playoff Tecmo Bowl Recreations.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
10. Big Vernon Davis Holds on For the Win
Date: 1/14/2012
Game: NFC Divisional round, New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers
Players involved: Alex Smith, Vernon Davis
What happened: With just 14 seconds left on the clock, and the 49ers down 32-29, Alex Smith finds Vernon Davis in the endzone for the score. The big tight end takes a hit, but holds on for the game winner.
Okay, okay, so maybe it wasn't possible to replicate Vernon Davis getting knocked down at the end of this play. Hell if we know how to make these Tecmo recreations, we just know they're awesome. This recreation more than makes up for that with the Vernon Davis, Alex Smith jumping high five at the end. Alex Smith wishes he was half as jacked as the Tecmo Bowl version of himself.
9. Andrew Luck Leads the Most Improbable Comeback
Date: 1/4/2014
Game: AFC Wild Card game, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Indianapolis Colts
Players involved: Andrew Luck, T.Y. Hilton
What happened: Down 28 points in the third quarter, Andrew Luck leads the Colts to the second largest comeback in NFL playoff history. First, he recovers Donald Brown's fumble for a TD. Next, he connects with T.Y. Hilton for a 64-yard bomb to complete the comeback.
First off, how crazy was this game? These types of comebacks rarely happen in professional sports, but that's why it's so awesome when they do. This Tecmo recreation makes that Andrew Luck fumble recovery for a touchdown that much more epic, and we really didn't think that was possible. Watch closely, this dude even got the T.Y. Hilton touchdown celebration dead on. You have to love the flash to the smiling Andrew Luck face after his touchdown, too.
8. Tim Tebow Silences the Critics With One Throw
Date: 1/8/2012
Game: AFC Wild Card game, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos
Players involved: Tim Tebow, Demaryius Thomas
What happened: On the first play of overtime the Broncos O-line stops the Steelers blitz, and leaves Tim Tebow with enough time to find a wide open Demaryius Thomas. Tebow connects with his receiver on a slant that would go 80 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
Despite Peyton Manning doing his best to make us forget about Tim Tebow leading the Broncos in the playoffs, this play brings back Tebowmania instantly. The Pittsburgh Steelers defense couldn't have disrespected Tebow anymore than this, not having a single safety back speaks for itself. Well, Tebow and Co. made 'em pay big time. Let's also take a moment to appreciate the awesomeness that is the American flag graphic on the scoreboard at the end of the clip. We wonder how this postseason meeting of the Broncos and Patriots will go.
7. Tramon Wiliams Seals the Deal in Texas
Date: 2/6/2011
Game: Super Bowl XLV, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers
Players involved: Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Wallace, Tramon Williams
What happened: The Packers were up six with just under a minute to go, trying to stop the Steelers on a fourth and five. Tramon Williams comes in to break up the pass from Big Ben intended for Mike Wallace, and secures the Packers victory.
A hard fought contest until the final play, Super Bowl XLV featured a physical Steelers defense and a potent Packers offense. In short, the game was deserving of a recreation this awesome. Are we the only ones who think Tramon Williams looks like Superman flying in to make this play? No wonder Mike Wallace was put off enough that he didn't make this grab. Congratulations to the 'Super Champions, Green Bay Packers'.
6. Tracy Porter Reads Peyton Like a Book
Date: 2/7/2010
Game: Super Bowl XLIV, New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts
Players involved: Peyton Manning, Tracy Porter
What happened: Down seven with 3:24 remaining, Peyton Manning was marching his Colts down the field for the game-tying drive, when his attempted pass for Reggie Wayne is intercepted and taken to the house by Tracy Porter.
Just add this one to the Peyton Manning playoff disappointment collection. Tracy Porter sees this one from a mile away, and then takes it to the house. Check out the hit on Peyton that leads him to do a double cartwheel towards the sideline, too. he three replays of the pick are absolutely not overdoing it, nope, not even a little. The spike through the legs never gets old, does it? Great recreation.
5. Santonio Holmes' Last Minute Heroics
Date: 2/1/2009
Game: Super Bowl XLIII, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Players involved: Ben Roethlisberger, Santonio Holmes
What happened: With 43 seconds left in the game, and the Steelers down three, Big Ben finds Santonio Holmes in the back corner of the endzone. Holmes taps his feet inbounds, and completes one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history.
We all remember this ridiculous catch by Santonio Holmes, which gave the Steelers an NFL record sixth Super Bowl title. Now let's tackle the Tecmo version of the play. This recreation is about as spot on as one can get trying to recreate a modern play on an outdated video game system. Check out those pythons on Big Ben, too. Old school NES graphics combined with Al Michaels commentary is, well, we're just so glad this exists.
4. Devin Hester Starts Things Off With a Bang
Date: 2/4/2007
Game: Super Bowl XLI, Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears
Players involved: Devin Hester
What happened: Devin Hester returns the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bears the earliest lead in Super Bowl history.
Despite moving the kickoff up to the 35-yard line, Devin Hester remains one of the most dangerous return men in the NFL. Few will forget this opening kickoff from Super Bowl XLI, in which Hester juked the crap out of the Colts kicking team, and took it all the way back 92 yards to open the scoring. The play was awesome, and the Tecmo recreation is right on the money, too. This dude nailed the accuracy of the rainy conditions in Miami, and the music he has going in the background makes this play that much more epic.
3. Joe Montana and Dwight Clark Connect For 'The Catch'
Date: 1/10/1982
Game: NFC Championship game, Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers
Players involved: Joe Montana, Dwight Clark
What happened: Down 27-21 with 58 seconds left, and facing a third and three, Joe Montana connects with Dwight Clark in the back of the endzone for the game winner.
And we thought there was absolutely no way we'd find a recreation of 'The Catch' on Tecmo. Thank you, Lord. One of the most epic plays in playoff history was Joe Montana's scramble and toss to a leaping Dwight Clark. Down six with under a minute to go, these are the types of games players and fans dream about. We love that little graphic that plays in between Montana's throw, and Clark's reception, too.
2. Beast Mode Runs Over the Defending Champions
Date: 1/8/2011
Game: NFC Wild Carl game, New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks
Players involved: Marshawn Lynch
What happened: Although Seattle entered the game as the first NFL playoff team with a losing record (7-9), they got to host the defending champion Saints. Clinging to a four-point lead, The Hawks turned to Beast Mode, who breaks eight tackles for a 67-yard touchdown. The score gave Seattle a two possession lead, and sealed the upset.
The Seahawks may have been gifted a spot in the postseason in 2011, not to mention having home field in round one thanks to the mediocrity of the NFC West, but Marshawn Lynch was certainly in a taking mood on this day. The replication of this play on Tecmo is difficult because, well, you see how sketchy the tackling is in the game, but this is still a pretty damn accurate rendition of what went down. The Beast is alive, and well.
1. Marcus Allen Runs the Redskins Off the Field
Date: 1/22/1984
Game: Super Bowl XVIII, Washington Redskins vs. Los Angeles Raiders
Players involved: Marcus Allen
What happened: Marcus Allen sheds tacklers and completes a 73-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of what would end as a 38-9 upset of the Washington Redskins.
Just in case you thought it was only modern playoff games that get recreated, check out Marcus Allen's ridiculous Super Bowl scramble from 1984. We're not sure which play was more unbelievable, the real thing or this Tecmo recreation. You just don't see running backs reverse field to that degree nowadays, and break off for 80-yard runs. Unfortunately for Raider fans, the closest they'll get to a Super Bowl is a video game recreation.
