REVIEW
Review: NFL Blitz Serves Up Violence With a Side of Football
(PS3,�XBOX 360)
This downloadable throwback marries classic mechanics with robust multiplayer.
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The basic game is still a fast paced, violently simplified take on the Sunday tradition, and this downloadable entry surprises with an impressive level of polish. The HUD and transition effects -- things too often ignored -- get presented with a certain sheen and flourish that enhances even the simplest menu navigation. Likewise, the announcers have just enough wit to keep me from muting my television -- which is a rarity for sports games. While the core mechanics of the game may be carried over from the late '90s, the presentation makes it clear that this is a Blitz for today's gamer. This fact is further pronounced in the plethora of different modes. The Blitz Gauntlet charges you with climbing a ladder of opponents similar to how you would in a classic Mortal Kombat title. Every few victories against NFL teams rewards you with a Boss Fight: four quarters against a squad comprised of hot dogs, Neanderthals, and other assorted macho warriors. These specific matches take a page from NBA Jam by adorning the field with various power-ups, making the games even more frantic.
If you decide to go online, you'll find an incredibly robust infrastructure -- especially for a downloadable title. The Elite League allows you to create a team via a starter pack of cards. Winning games rewards you with more packs of cards containing extra players, skills, and power-ups that can be used to create the ultimate roster. While the online component is great, a game like this isn't meant to be played by yourself -- a point proven by A.I. that seems to have no idea of the time remaining on the clock or the yardage needed for a first down. That being said, Blitz blossoms when you go up against a human opponent -- whether online or next to you on the couch.
There are silly idiosyncrasies strewn about -- Michael Vick throws right handed, the kickers all weigh 300 pounds, and the Chicago Bears don't continually disappoint me. But if these things really irk you, then you probably shouldn't be playing Blitz in the first place. Sadly, there's a noticeable lack of customization when it comes to the games themselves. Blitz remains unflinchingly rigid on two minute quarters, 7-on-7 games, and only a handful of plays per team. While I don't need the depth of Madden, it would be nice to see the package fleshed out with the option for various game tweaks. Also, as I mentioned in my Trine 2 review, a $15 price tag places it just out of that sweet spot. Granted I paid $60 for NFL Blitz on the Nintendo 64 back in 1998, but the current price makes it hard to choose over other, cheaper fare on PSN and Xbox Live.
With NBA Street being MIA for the past five years, NFL Blitz has solidified itself as the current king of the "over the top sports genre." This package boasts an impressive amount of features for a downloadable title, and provides a slew of nostalgic fun when paired with an eager partner. Blitz is a worthy throwback to the simpler days when you could tackle a man-sized hot dog with reckless abandon.
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HITZ
Posted: userComment.createdDate by� Willso
I only care about NHL HITZ. WHY can't they bring that back?
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Need: Mutant League Hockey Remake
Posted: 01/14/2012 by� Mr_Im_My_Own_Grandpa
Completely agree with both posters, especially since I've bought NBA JAM twice now and been disappointed both times.
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EAdone
Posted: userComment.createdDate by� popcrnshower
Glad that EAsports/NFL deal expired.� Madden got lazy over the past few years, will be interesting to see what the competition has coming up.
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Don't hold your breath
Posted: 01/09/2012 by� milkman_v1
The reason the NFL put the license up for bid was part of a league-wide move to have one manufacturer per item of merchandise, which allows the league an unprecedented amount of control over their items. Expect that deal to renew esp. with Madden having an uptick of sales this year.
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Enjoying it so far
Posted: userComment.createdDate by� Play_Station_3
Bought it the other day�on PS3.� Not sure yet if�it's better than my old copy of Blitz 20-03�on the PS2.��For some reason, this new version has only 2 pages of offensive plays, and 1 page of defensive plays.��Blitz 20-03 had several more pages than that.� However, if you've played Blitz 20-03, you will be immediately familiar with this game, because the�plays�they did include are exactly the same as the old ones.� The QB's release also appears to be slower now, meaning you will get sacked a lot until you learn to throw the ball sooner.
I've also had trouble connecting to the EA servers, which prevented me from playing online today.� But other than these few small issues, the game plays exactly like the old Blitz games, minus the post-play hits.
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Now I'm regretting buying my parents a 4 GB Xbox 360
Posted: userComment.createdDate by� vincentgoodwin
My dad and I used to play NBA Jam & NFL Blitz (along with Griffey Baseball) through the early-to-mid 90s. �He didn't play many games, but he liked the arcade sports titles (he bowed out of Madden and the others when they got too realistic and required too much button skill).
I bought them a 4GB 360 last year because my mom likes the Kinect games and they wanted to play the XBLA board games like Catan and Carcassonne online against me and my sister (who lives a few hours away).
My dad would love to have NFL Blitz on their 360, but I don't think 4GB 360 will hold it (Blitz is 1.81 GB), especially with all the other save data, XBLA games, and random apps they have.
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Old School
Posted: userComment.createdDate by� SonOfArathorn
I just picked up Blitz 2003, as it's the last Blitz game that had both the NFL license AND late hits after the whistle.� It's still a great game, just what I want out of a football title.� Madden is too involved for me and Blitz is perfect for having 2-4 friends over.� I'm stuck in the last generation (PS2), but this downloadable sounds perfect, and I really hope they keep going with it.
