Tecmo Bowl Cheats & Cheat Codes for NES and Game Boy

Tecmo Bowl, developed by Tecmo, is a pioneering American football video game that has left a lasting impression on the sports gaming genre, and American football games in particular. Initially launched as an arcade game in 1987, its real breakthrough came with its port to the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988, which garnered massive popularity. This version also stood out by featuring real NFL teams and players, a novelty at the time, which is nowadays a given. Since its success on both arcade and NES, the game was expanded to various platforms over the years, including mobile phones and modern consoles through re-releases. Here, we’ll take a deep dive into what Tecmo Bowl is all about and what sort of cheats it enables players.

Tecmo Bowl Premise

Tecmo Bowl introduces players to a simplified but engaging and addictive gameplay of American football. The game was instrumental on both arcade and NES platforms with distinct gameplay features, although the latter became far more successful due to the popularity of the console. In the arcade version, the game allows up to four players to choose between two fictional teams: the Wildcats and the Bulldogs. However, the NES version of Tecmo Bowl scales down to two-player gameplay but introduces three game modes: one-player, two-player, and coach mode. This offers more strategic depth by letting players stick with their chosen team throughout the championship or opt for play-calling in coach mode.

The most glaring, and significant, difference between the versions is that the NES gameplay includes real NFL players. Although the game didn’t secure an NFL license for team names, gamers can play with their favorite players from the time of the release. While this has been normal in games like Madden NFL for the longest time, it wasn’t common in the late ’80s. This added authenticity that increased the appeal tremendously. Players could control characters based on actual athletes from the 1987 and 1988 seasons, including legendary players like Bo Jackson and Joe Montana. 

The gameplay focuses on the basic aspects of American football, with the offense aiming to advance the ball and score, while the defense attempts to stop them through tackles or interceptions. The game has a fairly limited amount of play calls, which requires players to use them wisely in the right situations.

Tecmo Bowl Characters

The game features a roster of teams and their players, drawn from twelve of the most popular NFL teams of the era. Each of the players comes with unique strengths, although naturally the technology limits to what degree it affects gameplay and resembles actual players. However, players are able to play their favorite players from some of the most iconic teams in history. These include household names such as Joe Montana, Bo Jackson, Dan Marino, and many others.

Key Players

• Bo Jackson: An exceptionally fast and powerful running back from the Los Angeles Raiders. Jackson is virtually unstoppable in the game, even more so than his dominant real-life athleticism.
• Joe Montana: This iconic quarterback for San Francisco is one of the top team leaders in the game. Montana excels in passing plays, thanks to one of the all-time greatest wide receivers in the NFL, Jerry Rice.
• Walter Payton: Payton is the renowned Chicago Bears running back, a veteran playing his last year in the NFL at the time of the game’s release.
• Dan Marino: One of the all-time greats, and the quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, Dan Marino is a top-tier QB with tremendous passing ability. He’s known as one of the best quarterbacks never to lift the Super Bowl trophy.
• John Elway: The legendary quarterback John Elway of the Denver Broncos leads the team in Tecmo Bowl‘s team Denver. In addition to his amazing passing skill, Elway was a decent rusher as well.
• Jerry Rice: One of the most celebrated wide receivers ever to step on the football field, Jerry Rice plays for the team San Francisco in the game. This three-time Super Bowl champ still holds on to many of his NFL records, including for receptions and receiving yards.
• Lawrence Taylor: Known for his aggressive defense, Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants is considered one of the best defensive players of all time. Thanks to his speed, tackling attackers for loss is much easier with New York.

Games in the Series

Tecmo Bowl set the foundation for a series that has been loved by fans for decades. Following the massive success of the NES version, Tecmo expanded the franchise with several sequels, the most notable being Tecmo Super Bowl in 1991. This sequel built upon the original’s gameplay mechanics and roster, introducing full NFL team and player licenses. It also was released to more modern platforms, including Super NES and PlayStation. 

Even the original Tecmo Bowl has seen multiple re-releases across various platforms, including emulated releases, for Wii, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. Variations of the game include the likes of 2010’s Tecmo Bowl Throwback on PS3.

• Tecmo Bowl (1987)
• Tecmo Super Bowl (1991)
• Tecmo Super Bowl II: Special Edition (1994)
• Tecmo Super Bowl III: Final Edition (1995)
• Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff (2008)
• Tecmo Bowl Throwback (2010)

Tecmo Bowl Cheats

Tecmo Bowl includes a variety of cheats and secrets that players can utilize to enhance their gameplay experience. These cheats range from skipping games in the season to playing special matchups, and more.

Game Passwords on Game Boy and NES

Play Against Same Team on Game Boy

Invisible Team Passwords on NES

Team Chicago Passwords on NES

Team Cleveland Passwords on NES

Team Denver Passwords on NES

Team Los Anageles Passwords on NES

Team San Francisco Passwords on NES

Team Washington Passwords on NES

Tecmo Bowl Cheats FAQ

How do I choose the best team in Tecmo Bowl?

While there’s no one one best team in the game, some players have better stats than others. The best team often depends on your play style. Teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears are popular choices due to their strong passing and running games. However, choosing Los Angeles simply because of the almost unstoppable running game by Bo Jackson might be the best bet.

Are there any differences between the arcade and NES versions of Tecmo Bowl?

Yes, there are various differences between the games. The arcade version supports up to four players that use a two-monitor setup, while the NES version is limited to two players but offers more game modes. Most importantly, the NES version has a selection of authentic NFL players.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Screenshot for Tecmo Bowl.