Top 5 NFL Video Games of All-Time! ~ New Geek Protocol

The Top 5 NFL Video Games of All-Time!

And we're back! I hope everyone learned a little somethin' somethin' about the PS Vita last week. I'm still hooked on that little handheld console of awesomeness. Playing through some Batman: Arkham Origins: Blackgate currently. In terms of a handheld Batman game, it's a gooden (and no, I will not define 'gooden').

But, it's a new day. It's a new week. It's a new edition of "The Reset Button". This week, I'm taking it in a different direction. With NFL season fast approaching and my Atlanta Falcons embarking on a season of redemption, I felt it would be appropriate to cover my top 5 NFL games of all-time. I've played a good amount of NFL games in my day and am extremely excited to get my hands on Madden NFL 15 this weekend. But, before that, let's cover the best of the best.

Number 5

NFL GameDay '98

This was my first experience with NFL on a 3D console. Playing this on the PSOne introduced me to new gameplay, at the time awesome graphics, and end zone dances. Running back a kickoff with Jamal Anderson (probably impossible in real life) and seeing him break out the Dirty Bird was awesome. The plays were easy to select and the gameplay was just as you'd expect from the first NFL game with polygonal graphics. Jerome 'The Bus' Bettis graced the cover on this one. And considering it was developed by Sony Interactive Studios, it was a fun NFL game before Madden assumed their position on the throne.

Number 4

NFL Blitz

The Pittsburgh Steelers have seen a lot of video game covers. NFL Blitz featured 'Slash' himself, Kordell Stewart. This wasn't your ordinary NFL game. Brutal tackles, insane passes, and over-the-top gameplay put Blitz on the map. Nothing was more realistic than leg-dropping the running back you just stuffed like you were Hulk Hogan, am I right? Over time, Blitz was toned down and eventually put out to pasture. I guess the NFL didn't want their sport to be deemed "too violent". A little late, if you ask me. But that's why we love the NFL.

Number 3

Madden '96

This is by far my favorite Madden title to date. It still has a fun, nostalgic feeling when you play it. I can recall wowing my friends with my memory skills during the "Coach Rogers" skill-game when creating a player. The longer you repeat the button command Coach Rogers advised you, the smarter your player will be. And he adds on a command after each successful attempt. Getting up to 10 in a row wasn't easy. Needless to say, my QB always had an intelligence of 100. The character models weren't very accurate, but at least there were real player names included in this title. 'Ironhead' Craig Heyward was a fire hydrant with legs in this game. Oh, the memories...

Number 2

ESPN NFL 2K5

This one put all Madden titles to shame. And they did it pretty easily and convincingly, as well. Everything about this game was excellent. The presentation, graphics, audio, controls, options, and difficulty were exactly what you'd want from a NFL game. It's no wonder why people are STILL updating the roster on this game to be current with the NFL season. Fans of ESPN NFL 2K5 are still waiting for the NFL to come to their senses and allow 2K to make another NFL game to compete with Madden. The game launched at $19.99, for cryin' out loud. We haven't seen a 2K Games NFL game since 2005. With us heading into a 10 year anniversary of 2K5, I'm willing to bet you'll see people screaming for a return to the field for 2K football next year louder than ever.

Number 1

Tecmo Super Bowl

THIS was my game. Tecmo friggin' Super Bowl. The masterpiece of simulation NFL football. No clue who the hell is on the cover, as there was no #10 for the Cowboys back when Tecmo Super Bowl launched. It's just some random dude looking all "football-ish" for the buyer. Running with Bo Jackson was a must in Tecmo Super Bowl. Just run in a diagonal line up and down the field with him and you're guaranteed a score. Beating an opponent 70-0 wasn't difficult, but it was just fun to do. I remember breaking the NFL single season rushing record in a single season with Bo Jackson. And I could have easily obliterated it. The 16-bit music was entertaining, there were actual injuries in the game, and the season mode allowed you to pick your favorite team and go for the Lombardi Trophy. I still play this game when Atlanta is eliminated from Super Bowl contention. Unfortunately, that's happen a lot in the past 10 years.

The bottom line is this: Tecmo Super Bowl is the greatest NFL game ever created. Not just because Stone Cold said so, but because it's a scientific fact. Sure, it doesn't have John Madden screaming "BOOM!" or drawing a bunch of stuff on the screen, but it didn't need it. All you needed was a Sega Genesis, some time to kill, and Bo friggin' Jackson.