John Elway's Quarterback
This is a football simulation game published by Tradewest, featuring the Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway. The gameplay focuses heavily on passing and quarterback strategies, with a simplified playbook that includes various formations and routes. You control Elway to throw passes, while the running game is also available but less emphasized. A unique feature is the "laser" pass – a pinpoint accurate throw that can be activated by timing the button press perfectly, allowing for clutch completions. The game includes a "season" mode with standings, playoffs, and a Super Bowl simulation. A trivia: Elway personally worked on the game's development, providing input on play design and quarterback mechanics. The graphics are basic, with a bird's-eye view and simple player sprites. The music is stadium-style, with crowd noises and anthems. Critics found it shallow compared to Tecmo Bowl but praised its passing mechanics. It supports two players. The game includes a "scrimmage" mode for quick games. It is a decent football title but not as advanced as other NES football games. The final challenge is the Super Bowl simulation, which requires perfect play to win.