NFL Quarterback Club Review

Return to the Gridiron...

for Acclaim's newest sports spectacular NFL Quarterback Club. While the format of the game can be compared to most other recent editions, the Saturn's superior sound and graphics open entirely new avenues for the football enthusiast. The introduction to the game itself propels the player into the high drama and emotion of the sport.

As the teams take the field, it becomes obvious where the Saturn system has enabled Acclaim to improve on its earlier versions. With the eight button controllers, NFL Quarterback Club allows the player to perform a myriad of dazzling spins, straight arms, and bursts of speed and power that make the running game more realistic and exciting. Many of the strengths of this game, however, come from the facets of the game that the player cannot control. For example, defenses are much smarter, adjusting to offensive formations and not frustrating the player with the idiocy usually demonstrated by the positions not controlled by the user. Pass coverage is also improved as many defensive line players leap to knock down passes before they even leave the pocket. The three levels of play, Rookie, Pro, and All-Pro, see to it that the user is properly challenged as his/her abilities progress.

Improvements have been made to the offensive passing game as well. With effective pump fakes that draw the defense off the receiver and the ability to reverse formations from one side of the field to the other, the user can select from over 800 plays on each down. With an adapter purchased separately, a staggering 12 players can participate in a game at once, each controlling their own player. As appealing this may be to the athletically impaired, this game player would rather go outside and play a real game with my eleven willing participants. Sure, there is no instant replay from 1000 different angles and distances, but sunshine is good for the soul.

Weaknesses in the new model include the following. The games are too long; even on the shortest time setting, one half of play can take over an hour. Part of what delays the process is the digitized referee that comes out after each play to declare, with long and deliberate hand motions, whether it's a first down, incomplete pass, or a penalty. Equally as frustrating is the fact that when you substitute one player for another, he doesn't seem to remain in the game for more than a couple of plays before the guy you just removed is back on the field. A good addition to NFL Quarterback Club might be a little home crowd enthusiasm when their team plays well. At the present time, the only crowd noise is coming from the people fighting over condiments at the concession stands.

Overall, the game impressively combines the high impact, rock'm sock'm football style that makes these games exciting with the new technology available through the Sega Saturn. Kudos to Acclaim, mission accomplished with NFL Quarterback Club.