Retro Bowl

That's the key with this game — it's addictive but most importantly simple, immersive fun. A reminder that getting hooked on a game can be due to its design rather than complexity or realism. There are a few flaws — the game has an obsession with fumbles that give you possession on your opponent's 18-yard line, and opposition coaches never seem to use time outs to help their chances. But as a game to play regularly in short bursts, or occasionally in longer sessions, Retro Bowl is a hoot. It's backyard football disguised as the NFL in 8-bit form... and that's brilliant.

Retro Bowl certainly gets close to scratching that itch for a retro-style football game. The game is addictive, and you can play many games in one sitting. Including scenarios between games requiring you to choose options that affect the players' morale is fun. There is a bit of smoke and mirrors when you start to look under the hood, though. You can only play offense, and the defense is played out via text messages on the screen. Player career stats are only tracked as long as you coach that team. And the scenarios tend to repeat themselves after a while. However, the game is affordable. And with the amount of time I spent playing Retro Bowl, I certainly got my money's worth and then some.

Retro Bowl is pure gaming joy, wrapped with a nostalgic little bow. It's also the best American Football game in years.

Retro Bowl does a fantastic job with what it's trying to do. Being a mobile game ported onto the Switch, it was always going to be a challenge to figure out how to make it work, but New Star Games has come out with another lovely arcade treat.

Rarely does a football game come along that offers the ability to enjoy a franchise, a draft, ability to edit, and package it together in such a fun and approachable way. Retro Bowl does just that and now has made the experience even better on the Nintendo Switch.

Retro Bowl is a fun arcade football experience that features an interesting franchise mode and addicting gameplay.