Bare minimum, symbol based NFL simulation
For the time this game appeared, surely some sprites could have been used instead of the x es and and zero es that make up the players, and the lines that make up the playing field. But rather than a good, graphically busted game, the choice this one makes is to go with the bare minimums, and still deliver a compelling game, one that allows you to sink into it and allows you to enjoy the action, rather puzzle like offering. The mechanics are simply good, offering you enough info to make split second decisions, and the AI too feels rather snappy. So, all things considered, NFL Challenge manages to create what many other later games couldn't: offer a barebones simulation of the game, mathematics based, that can be enjoyed. Yes, many games can dazzle you with better graphics, but let's face it, after that shine wears off, what you re left with is nothing more than a grimy game with little to show for itself. So, if you don't insist on graphically accurate representations for a playing field or players, this game offers you a distinctive minimalistic type of game, one highly playable and rather interesting looking, one that you can't expect to ever see again reemerge.
