Tecmo Bowl Throwback hits XBLA on April 28th, PSN later

If you have fond memories of playing Tecmo Super Bowl back in the early ’90s, then this might be relevant to your interests. Tecmo is updating the game and putting it out on Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network, and from what I can tell by looking at the screenshots and launch trailer in this post, they’re going about it the right way: doing their best to satisfy old gamers and new gamers alike.

The game will have 32 fictional teams (thanks to EA’s exclusivity contract with the NFL), but you’ll be able to edit the team names and rosters. Throwback includes local and online multiplayer modes along with leaderboards, and you’ll also have the option of going through a full season. But the real draw — at least for old-school gamers — is that the game will allow you to seamlessly switch between 2D and 3D modes at the touch of a button, like R-Type Dimensions (both games were developed by Southend Interactive).

I say “modes” instead of just “visuals” because the entire game changes when you switch. Menus and gameplay revert to a retro look, but what’s more awesome is that the glorious original 8-bit music will accompany the old-school graphics! Listen for the change yourself in the trailer above.

Tecmo Bowl Throwback will be available on Xbox Live Arcade on April 28th for 800 Microsoft Points, and at some point afterward on the PlayStation Store for $9.99. I laughed with glee when I noticed that the person playing the game in the trailer zigged and zagged across the field to avoid defenders, and I can’t wait to try it out myself next week. What about you?