Tecmo Super Bowl: NES vs SNES

Ah the age old question, "Which is better, Tecmo Super Bowl for the NES or Tecmo Super Bowl for the SNES?" There is no easy answer. The SNES version is almost a direct translation of the NES one, with some improvements made along the way. Therefore it seems logical that the SNES version is the better of the two. But for me and many, this is simply not true. Here is a point-by-point description of the differences, and which case it helps.

You Can Change Quarter Length (SNES) - this is a very nice feature, however its benefits are negated by the ability to do the same with a Game Genie on the NES. Slight Edge - SNES Variable Weather (SNES) - I, personally, really like this. It's nice to play a season and have to go play in the cold snow in Green Bay late in the season. It's a nice touch. Edge - SNES The X Play (SNES) - okay, this is that stupid dive play. What's the point? Even if you defend against it they can still get the first. It's pointless and detracts from the gameplay. Edge - NES Touchbacks (SNES) - this is a pretty significant difference. You now can touchback on kickoffs and don't have to touchback on punts. Of course nobody runs out punts and if you touchback on kickoffs you're a wuss. The kickoff thing also eliminates the whole 'full juice bar' thing, which is always a great thing to rub in your opponents face. No Edge Improved Graphics (SNES) - the SNES eliminates that annoying flashing, which is nice. They also add more color, a little more detail, plus team-specific endzones. Overall, its not a big difference, though. Slight Edge - SNES Ability to Change Playbook During Game (SNES) - I guess technically, this is probably better. Personally, I like the pre-game ritual of making the playbook you have to use for the whole game, it adds to the experience. And the plays are much harder to read in the SNES version. Edge - NES Old School Patriots (NES) - I'm sorry, but this I love. I was pissed when the Pats changed uniforms, those old ones were classic. That helmet always takes me back when I play with the Patsies. Edge - NES Halftime Stats (SNES) - I don't like these. They just add an extra button to press at half-time. I guess to some it's nice to see what you and the other team are doing effectively to change your strategy, but you shouldn't need this. No Edge Diving at Players after TD's (NES) - I have no idea why they removed this feature. After getting smoked for an 80 yard run by Thurmal, there was nothing better than knocking the crap out of him, hoping for that fumble that would take away those stats. Edge - NES Updated Teams (SNES) - The '93 teams suck. I mean no Montana in SF! Ronnie Lott and Boomer on the Jets? Roger Craig in Minnesota? Zolak/Secules - probably the only year they were both in the league. No Ickey, no Bo...come on. Large Edge - NES New Rating Scheme (SNES) - The SNES version seemed to use a new rating scale. It kind of homogenized the players. The speed differences were smaller. The defense gets faster quicker. Big plays are what Tecmo is all about, and this hurts that. Edge - NES Three Year Dynasty Mode (SNES) - In a word, worthless. It was just like playing three separate seasons with the same team. You can do that on the NES version, but most people like to try out different teams. No Edge The New Tecmo for the New System (SNES) - One was the ground-breaking original you couldn't believe a company could actually make. The second was the new version for the SNES that you expected so much more from. Throw in the nostalgia factor, and the sheer fact that the game was on the 8-bit 2 years earler means: Edge - NES Cycling Backwards (SNES) - The ability to cycle forwards or backwards through receivers was one of the few improvements that helped gameplay. It added another skill to work on. Overall, a nice addition. Edge - SNES Return Team Area (SNES) - Instead of being able to select from all of your offensive weapons, your choice for punt/kick returners was limited to 3. On the plus side, you could now use defensive players, like Deion, to return the ball. No Edge Defensive Condition (SNES) - You could now actually check to see what condition your defensive players were in. A kinda nice thing, although, again, you probably should be able to feel if your guy is playing worse. Slight Edge - SNES Punt Blocking, 100 Yd Rushers, etc..(SNES) - This list is long enough. There are any number of other relatively useless features the SNES offers. You can now choose a defenseman to try and block a punt. You were told if you had a 300 yard passer, 150 yard receiver, or a 100 yard rusher. You could pick up fumbles. You could miss extra points more than once a year. Enhanced music. Yadda, yadda, yadda...There's a bunch of these. Together they add little (although I like the yard benchmarks) to the game. But they add something. Slight Edge - SNES

Now I'm not going to add these up, and see who has more edges. I know the important ones all go the way of the NES version. You have teams that are more fun to play with. You have better, more exciting gameplay. The SNES version, basically adds a little eye candy, and a few features to make you think you didn't waste your money, when you already had TSB for the NES. Tecmo Super Bowl for the NES is just a better game.