NFL Blitz (1997 video game)

NFL Blitz

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	1997
Founder	Midway
Products	NFL Blitz (video game)

NFL Blitz is a football video game centered on American football, created and released by Midway in arcades in 1997, marking the beginning of the NFL Blitz franchise. The development team was headed by Mark Turmell and Sal Divita, known for their work on NBA Jam. They translated the exaggerated arcade approach of NBA Jam into a football context. Following its arcade debut, ports were made available for PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Windows, and Game Boy Color in 1998. The game's cover featured Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart.

Gameplay

In NFL Blitz, teams consist of seven players each, deviating from conventional American football regulations by removing penalties and substitutions. This design permits actions typically considered illegal, such as dropkicks. The title holds an official NFL license, including authentic players and teams from the 1997 season.

Development

The production spanned two years under the guidance of Mark Turmell and Sal Divita, who sought to emulate their previous success with NBA Jam by crafting a fast-paced football experience. Their priority was to minimize time spent navigating play-selection menus to enhance gameplay speed. The arcade iteration operates on the Seattle System hardware, which incorporates a 3Dfx graphics chipset. Multiplayer functionality was confined to two participants, based on the assessment that the quarterback-receiver dynamic in football did not offer the same level of cooperative complexity found in NBA Jam. A marketing budget amounting to $8 million was allocated for promotion.

Reception

The PlayStation and Nintendo 64 editions achieved widespread critical acclaim, while the PC version received generally positive evaluations according to GameRankings. Next Generation commended both arcade and PlayStation versions for their intense gameplay despite limited diversity in plays. Publications such as GameFan and Computer Games Strategy Plus offered favorable reviews, emphasizing the game's entertaining and high-energy nature. The Nintendo 64 version earned an 87% rating from N64 Magazine, and Hyper highlighted its appeal as an offense-focused, fast-paced football title despite lacking the depth found in Madden games.

Reviewers at AllGame awarded strong scores across all platforms, focusing on enjoyment rather than realism. The arcade release was characterized as lively and captivating, while PlayStation and Nintendo 64 versions were noted for providing a unique alternative to traditional football simulations. The PC port was recognized for its straightforwardness coupled with reliable performance.

NFL Blitz garnered multiple industry accolades: it was named "Arcade Game of the Year" by Electronic Gaming Monthly in 1997; won "Best Sports Game of the Year" at IGN's Best of 1998 Awards for its PC version; and received nominations for "Sports Game of the Year" at both GameSpot and AIAS D.I.C.E. Awards. The Nintendo 64 edition was nominated for Best N64 Game at the CNET Gamecenter Awards. The PlayStation release secured the "Most Unrealistic Sports Game" award at the 1998 Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine Editors' Awards and earned further nominations in categories such as best sports title, arcade conversion, and multiplayer experience.