Interviewee(s): Ryan Gilbo, Tecmo Bowl Kickoff's Producer at Tecmo Inc.

The return of the Tecmo Bowl series, with or without an NFL license, has made many long-time Nintendo fans giddy. Our own Evan Campbell even has a personal anecdote of playing the game as one of his earliest gaming experiences, so we were thrilled to have an interview with Ryan Gilbo, Tecmo Bowl Kickoff's Producer at Tecmo Inc., about the game's highlights.

The franchise has not seen a new edition for over a decade. Why was now the right time to bring the Tecmo Bowl franchise back? Did Virtual Console sales of the original or hungry fans play a role in motivating the new installment?

Ryan Gilbo Maintaining the original essence of the game was on the forefront of our minds when recreating Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff. Older players will instantly be taken back to the good ol' days of Tecmo Bowl. Younger players will have the opportunity to play an arcade style of football that was lost many years ago.

Tecmo Bowl has always been about fast-paced games and simple playbooks. Will players choose from four (like the original), eight (latter editions), or more plays? Will choosing the right play on defense still result in completely "owning" the other team? What about custom plays through use of the stylus?

RG: All of the plays in Tecmo Super Bowl are in Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff. There are 4 pass plays and 4 run plays and guessing the right play can cause a sack. You can select which run and pass plays work best for you, or you can use the default plays for each team. The user will be able to customize their playbook but not a play.

Speaking of the stylus, do you feel there's an advantage or benefit to playing with the stylus versus the traditional D-pad and buttons combo?

RG: We tried to make the stylus control as simple as possible. Tapping the screen hikes or passes the ball. Moving the stylus around the touch screen makes the selected player move to that spot. Scribbling over a player make them tackle or break the tackle. The key here is intuitive and easy to use controls. Users are able to use Stylus Control, Button Control, of a combination of both.

What additions to Kickoff's gameplay do you feel best sets Kickoff apart from its predecessors?

RG: The additions to Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff that sets it apart from its predecessors are Super Skills. Super Skills such as Rocket Pass or Vertical Boost are designated to certain positions, and conditions that occur during the game. A ring of fire on the players' feet indicates that the Super Skill is available.

What online features will be available for the title? For local play, will the title contain single-cart download play?

RG: Players are able to play against other players using their own teams, rosters, and playbook in multiplayer mode. Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff allows only multi-card for both online and local multiplayer modes.

Kickoff has to use original teams and rosters since EA owns the NFL license. What customization options are available to players? Can gamer-created teams and characters be taken online?

RG: In Team Editor, players can customize their team's name, logo, player status, uniform and playbook. Users can adjust their individual players' attributes such as Running Speed and Running Power and can also apply Super Skills available to that position. Edited teams and players can be used in online or wireless multiplayer.

If players create their own team, will the custom team's logo be present throughout the field and end zones?

RG: Team logos are not present throughout the field during gameplay. This is for both Single play and Multiplayer modes.

We enjoy how the game that allows players to edit their football players' stats. However, in an early build there seemed to be restriction to this option, creating possibly overpowered teams, particularly in multiplayer. Was that intentional or has this been modified since then?

RG: In the final product, the user will be able to adjust their players' attributes to a maximum and minimum point. At startup, users will not be able to max out a players' attribute bar over the upper limit to avoid being overpowering. There is also a lower limit in which users can't cross to make their opponents too weak in single player mode. The upper limit maximum points available will increase as the user completes every season.

The Tecmo Bowl series is renowned for classic, upbeat music. Will any audio elements be retained from the series' roots or remixed?

RG: The audio in Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff is remixed from the music of its predecessors. In Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff, you will hear background music and gameplay jingles with a modern high energy rock and roll groove. The in-game music will intensify and complement the gameplay experience.

Are there any special unlockable items in the game?

RG: Yes, there are unlockables when the user finishes a season game. Features like background music, attribute points and Tecmo Joe can be unlocked if a goal's required achievement is completed.

We'd like to give a big thanks to Mr. Gilbo for taking the time to answer our questions. Look for our official review of Tecmo Bowl Kickoff soon!