The "Best Of Tecmo Bowl" lists can be found here

---Top 10 "Named Games"---

Only a select few games  have earned the right to obtain a moniker.  These games are famous for their historical significance.  Whether its enhanced the Tecmo lexicon, showcased an incredible performance, or flat out amazed us with something we've never seen before...these games were all in the realm of rarefied air.  Without further ado, I present the "Top 10 Tecmo Bowl Named Games".

-10.  "I got you!"  Finger pointing is required.  Season 1 game featured a 5-0 Minnesota squad taking on Dallas.  Late in the game with Minnesota trailing, Kramer dropped back to pass then looked to run, and the defender bit.  Once the window opened just enough, Kramer pulled up and fired a laser to Carter for a key 1st down. 

Completely proud of his efforts, Nate mocked Brad with a loud and resounding "I got you!"  Minnesota eventually won the game thanks to the late drive, and the term gets used frequently when the defender cheats up.

-9.  "The Mecklenburg Interception"  This bottom feeder bowl of sorts from Season 1 saw Denver claw back from a 15-3 deficit to pull within 2 of Miami late in the 4th.  With little time remaining, all Miami needed to do was run off some clock and punt to get the victory. 

However Jeff would have none of it as he threw an inexplicable pass on a play-pick instead of taking a sack.  That pick was registered by Karl Mecklenburg, who proceeded to take it to the house well after time expired.   Eric, the rookie of the league celebrated rather hardily as wins were hard to come by for him.  This was easily one of the most improbable comebacks I have ever seen.

-8. "Defensive trade-offs"  Miami leading New York in the 3rd qtr decides to go for the glory of the TD on a 4th and goal and put the game out of reach.   That attempt is thwarted and NY still has life.  Phil Simms from inside his 5 serves up an INT on the very next play and Miami is now poised to put the dagger in.  But Leonard Marshall has other ideas and on the next play picks off Marino's pass in the endzone. 

3 plays, 3 turnovers.  Cursing and celebrating never coincided together more harmonious than in this game.  Nate came out on the good end of that exchange, but Brad still won the game.

-7.  "Play-picked out of the stadium-on accident"  Big game between Brad and Nate.  Season finale with division title and home field in the playoffs at stake.  NY leads Miami 9-6 in the 4th.  Marino leads the offense down inside the NY 5 with a 1st and goal.  What lie ahead was the greatest goal line ambush of all time. 

Nate decides to try and let Miami score as quickly as possible to conserve clock in an effort to have time for one last NY drive.  However he blindly manages a couple play-picks.  On 3rd down Nate decides he's halfway to winning the dang game and nails the next 2 play-picks.  NY burns up some clock and a long punt later is victorious.  Easily one of the most demoralizing losses Brad had suffered. 
 
6.  "Al Michaels game"  The chants of "You Gotta Believe!" from Nate grew louder and louder each minute starting mid-way in the 2nd qtr.  Dallas had gotten out-scored 58-9 in 2 previous games, and faced an elite Chicago team that was ready to mop the floor with them.  Instead Dallas went out and stifled Chicago's offense.  Ruzek nailed a 2nd FG and Chicago only lead 7-6 early in the 4th.  Nate and Dallas had all the momentum.  Brad was starting to feel the pressure. 

Unfortunately for Dallas, they forgot about kickoff coverage.  Green took it to the house just when things looked rather dicey for Chicago.  The TD sealed the game, in what could have been the biggest upset imaginable in history.  Coincidentally a few weeks later Chicago narrowly escape Dallas again by a 6-3 score.  When it comes to Tecmo, no matter what situation you face...You gotta believe!  

-5. "The Punt Sack game"  NY was handing out a beat down to Seattle leading at halftime 14-0. Seattle mounted a couple scoring drives and pulled it to 14-13 midway in the 4th. The Seahawk defense held NY and would get the ball back to the offense, needing another scoring drive against LT and co.

Then unforeseen terror struck! As Nate let the meter cycle through a few extra times to burn more clock, a Seattle defender broke free and tackled Landeta before he could punt. Overtaken by quick surge in momentum, Nate and NY surrendered a quick TD. 

The game looked to be over as Seattle led 20-14. It was the most insane turn-around we'd ever witnessed in a game of Tecmo!  Coming back from that many points down is one thing, but doing it against Lawrence Taylor's defense is another.  The world was teetering on implosion.

However, Dave Meggett would have none of it and returned the kickoff to the house with only a few seconds remaining to help NY claim victory by a score of 21-20 despite the massive punting gaffe.
Punt Sacks don't equal wins              Yes, Bo Jackson beat me
-4. "The Tim Mckyer phenomenon"  In a back and forth battle, Denver (trailing by 4) drove down to the SF 5 with a 2 seconds remaining in the game. Nate had been exclusively using Lott and Michael Carter on defense all game long. This signalled that a run play to the top if not called by the defense would result in Nate's defender having to make a spectacular diving tackle on Dorsett to prevent the TD. -

However, a moment before snapping the ball, Nate switched to Tim McKyer(bottom DB) who would inevitably not be blocked on this play and stuffed Dorsett at the 2 yard line. Game over. Cat and mouse was previously used to an extent at this point, but this game was the springboard for more complex defensive surprises.

-3.  "Why you livin' in the past?"  Brad was just minutes removed from claiming the 2004 Tecmo title with Seattle when an exhibition game got set up.  Seattle and Minnesota were the teams. Anthony Carter returned a kickoff for a TD late and MIN(controlled by Nate) beat Seattle by 4. Ecstatic over the victory, Nate was adamant about claiming Brad was resting on his laurels of a past championship (some 20 minutes ago).  Repeatedly in a loud and brash tone the question was asked, "Why you livin' in the past? Why you livin' in the past?"

Earlier that day Nate proclaimed if his Minnesota squad and Seattle met in a playoff game Minnesota would surely win. However a playoff loss by Minnesota to Cleveland ended that speculation. After the championship game was concluded, Nate petitioned for the phantom Seattle/Minnesota match-up to take place. Minnesota played strong defense all game but just when it looked like Seattle had the game in hand with a late TD, Carter's kick return antics sealed it.  This game became a testament to Nate’s unrivalled smack-talk ability.

-2. "Bo Jackson will not beat me"  In 2004 the marquee match-up was considered SF/LA. The most prolific offenses facing off in wild and crazy games. SF had won 4 consecutive games in this heated rivalry with Nate’s simple defensive gameplan: Stop Bo Jackson at all costs. Call Bo's run 1 play 99% of the game and use Ronnie Lott to force Schroeder to shoulder the load in the passing game. The scheme was centred on the QB eventually throwing an INT or 2 and SF would use those turnovers to come out on top.

In a playoff meeting during the 4th qtr, LA forced a crucial punt while trailing 7-6.  LA was pinned inside their 10, and used the passing game to gain a couple 1st downs.  Time was enemy and this drive appeared it was taking too long.  Knowing all too well what SF had been calling all game, LA gambled and called Bo's run 1. At the same time with SF in a slight panic and in fear of surrendering the game wining field goal, Nate had switched up his call on that play to stop the pass. Bo Jackson promptly gouged the 49er defense for a long run.

A couple plays later Matt Bahr lined up to attempt a FG  just on the cusp of his range.  The kick barely sailed through the uprights and LA captured a 9-7 win.  Bo Jackson finally beat him.

-1. "The Denver Ref crew game" This signalled the beginnings of what Nate would claim is a lifetime of blatant and shoddy officiating that’s plagued his games since the dawn of Tecmo Bowl. 

This particular game saw Brad and Denver as the beneficiary of a few crucial calls regarding INT's, TD's, and even a highly questionable 1st down spot against SF. This was also the only blatant forfeit in our Tecmo history. To this day, it’s believed by conspiracy theorists that the Tecmo referee crew still holds a grudge against Nate for his mid/post game outbursts on this fateful night.

With Denver leading SF 14-7 thanks to already 1 questionable TD ruling, the final straw was added to the camels back.  Elway fired a pass to the endzone which appeared would easily be intercepted by Ronnie Lott.  Instead it was ruled another Denver TD.  Nate leaped from his chair and kicked the Nintendo across the room and headed to the kitchen.  He emerged 5 minutes later still infuriated and instructed Brad with “You need to get the hell outta my house".
Whenever it appears an injustice is served up on the field, Nate is willing to bet The Denver Ref Crew is behind it.
6. "The Punt Sack game"  NY was handing out a beat down to Seattle leading at halftime 14-0. Seattle mounted a couple scoring drives and pulled it to 14-13 midway in the 4th. The Seahawk defense held NY and appeared to force a 3 to get the ball back one last time.

Then unforeseen terror struck! As Nate let the meter cycle through a few extra times to burn more clock getting ready to punt, a Seattle defender broke free and tackled Landeta before he could punt. Overtaken by the unexpected chain of events and quick surge in momentum, Nate and NYG surrendered a quick TD  The game looked to be over as Seattle led 20-14.

It was the most insane turn-around we'd ever witnessed in a game of Tecmo!  Coming back from that many points down is one thing, doing it against LawrenceTaylor’s defense is another.  The world teetering on implosion,

However, Dave Meggett would have none of it and returned the kickoff to the house to with a few seconds remaining to help NY claim victory by a score of 21-20 despite the massive punting gaffe.

Best of the rest:

-"LT's suicide kamikaze blitz"  -LT forces a huge endzone INT vs Miami with his unexpected blitz.  Normally not a wise strategy, this ploy turns up aces.
-"The Comeback"  -Seattle overcomes a 14 point halftime deficit to beat SF in OT.

-"Key to the city game" -After repeatedly getting clobbered in a SF/CHI match-up, Nate claims to have the key to beating SF.  He does for most of the game, but a late Montana TD pass beats him again.
-"Everything was in the endzone but the ball"  -Washington trails 3-0 and  looks to defeat NY on the last play of the game. Clint Didier is tackled and it appears he crossed the goal line.  Rypien had Art Monk wide open in corner of endzone.

-"Reggie Roby aint white!"  -Reggie Roby catches the snap as a white guy, then magically turned black before punting it.  To quote Vince Lombardi..."What the hell is goin' on out here?"
-"I had one guy open and Ronnie Lott was covering him"  -Magical coverage strikes at the worst time for Nate while facing SF. 

Recent named games:

We like to let any new "named game" stew for a bit before its gets serious considering towards making the list in an effort see its historical impact over time.  However we're not against discussing them.

-"The game no one wanted to win"  Dallas and Washington had trouble moving the ball all game, and when either got in a position to attempt a FG, it meant someone was throwing a stupid INT.  It meant Brett Farve was calling to tell us we threw some dumb INT's.  This was a collection of the worst INT's of all time.  Two in particular stood out.  Troy Aikman had blown the cowboys chance at a 6-0 lead with an INT in FG range.  Mark Rypien squandered a FG opportunity in the 4th with a costly INT as well.  The game went to OT tied at 3, and when Washington got in FG range the offense shut it down and took their damn points for a 6-3 win. 
 
-"The replay game"  A first of sorts saw us stop game play and revert to the tape(since we record all games) to check in on a crucial ruling of whether or not Cleveland should be awarded a safety due to a rules violation.  The play stood as it unfolded and Elways had indeed avoided a safety, however it was the only notable moment for the Broncos as Cleveland prevailed 10-3.         

Top 10 Tecmo Bowl performances of all time

This list is still in the preliminary stages, but I would like to get the information out there in the meantime.  Once these get ranked, a proper list with more detailed information can be made.  Here are some early nominees. 

Dave Meggett in the clutch-  His late game kick return heroics have been an uncanny force for the Giants in some of our most historic games we've ever played.

The 49er win streak- 32 straight games, and 2 consecutive championships.

Washington Redskins defense-  26 points allowed in season 3.  This effort smashed the previous record by 46 points.  

Dennis Gentry's kick return Tsunami- During a 5 game stretch he had  5 kick return TD's.  2 TD's were in one game.  Also took multiple other KR's into field goal range.  

The 49ers own the Giants-  In what should be a back and forth series has Montana and Rice holding an unofficial 8-3 edge all time in the series.  We are in shock by that lopsided record.       
Dolphins vs 49ers:  The Marino and Montana shootout- Marino accounted for 4 touch downs.  Crawford returned 3 kicksoffs for the 49ers past the 50.  Each QB threw a critical INT as well.  Back and forth insanity that ends with Ray Wersching missing a long field goal at the gun.  Dolphins win 26-24.

Fredd Young's domination-  Young dominated the Tecmo Bowl league and took home the season 1 MVP award. 

NY Giants defensive goal line stand-  The division title and home field advantage in the playoffs were about to fade away facing 1st and goal from 2.  Miami gets stopped on 4 straight. 


Dolphins win TecmoBowl II-  Coming in as a huge underdog, Miami converts multiple 4th downs and the defense comes up big.  They defeat the bears 12-10.

Chicago's playoff run-  the Bears dispose of the Cleveland Browns, and 49ers by a combined score of 76-3 en route to Tecmo Bowl II.