Retro Bowl

🏈 Tecmo-Style Arcade meets Front Office Sim

Retro Bowl is a hybrid. On the field, it is a simplified 8-bit arcade game reminiscent of Tecmo Bowl. Off the field, it is a rigorous Management Simulation involving salary caps, player morale, and facility upgrades. The core gameplay loop involves balancing the immediate gratification of winning a match with the long-term strategy of roster construction.

The passing mechanic utilizes a parabolic arc prediction. The player drags back to aim (velocity and angle). Success depends on reading the defensive coverage (Cover 2, Blitz) and leading the receiver into open grass.

🧠 Strategic Resource Management

The "Front Office" requires executive function:

• Salary Cap Economics: You cannot keep everyone. A 5-star Quarterback costs $30M. Do you keep him and have a weak defense, or trade him for draft picks? This is an optimization problem.
• Stamina Management: Players fatigue. An exhausted Running Back fumbles more often. Managing their workload (benching them in easy games) is essential for playoff viability.

🎮 Mechanics: The Bullet Pass

Nuances of control:

• Over-the-Shoulder: Aiming slightly past the receiver triggers a lob pass (good for deep routes). Aiming at or slightly behind triggers a bullet pass (good for slants/hooks).
• Juking: Swiping Up/Down performs a sidestep. Swiping Back performs a stutter-step (stop). Timing the stutter-step allows defenders to fly past you.

🏆 Coaching Tips

1. Draft for Speed

Speed is the most broken stat. A Wide Receiver with max Speed can outrun any defensive back, regardless of his Catching stat. Prioritize Speed in the draft.

2. Dive Early

Don't take the hit. Diving forward (Space or Swipe Forward) secures the yards and prevents fumbles. Taking a tackle risks injury and turnover.

🛡️ Aesthetic Design

Style:

• CRT Filter: The scanlines and chromatic aberration effect simulate 1980s TV displays, triggering nostalgia without compromising text readability.

❓ FAQ