Retro Bowl is an enjoyable retro-style American football game for mobile made by indie developer New Star Games. It captures the strategic team-building aspects of football management coupled with exciting playable 8-bit action.
You control a football team starting in the lowly Wild Card division aiming to win multiple championships. Each week you play offense by selecting plays and controlling runners and receivers. Games feature authentic rules like 4 downs and punting.
Between games, manage your roster through trades, drafting, and free agents pickups to strengthen weaknesses. Develop long-term strategies around QB, WR, and RB combo strengths. Upgrade facilities over multiple seasons.
On the field, gameplay is reminiscent of classic Tecmo Bowl on NES. Flip plays, drive downfield through defense, and dive for goal line stands. Numbers and dots show receiver routes – find the open man for six!
While simplified for quick pick-up matches, Retro Bowl still captures strategic depth. Success comes from crafting a balanced, cohesive team built around your playbook and playcalling tactics.
For a rewarding blend of 8-bit football gaming and team management, Retro Bowl nails the casual fun and competitive hooks that make for addictive football experiences worth coming back to season after season.
Tips for playing Retro Bowl:
- Study your playbook and get familiar with the routes for each passing play. Identify go-to bread and butter plays that work.
- Flip plays often before the snap to keep the defense guessing and expose weaknesses.
- Throw bullets for short quick passes. Lob bombs for long shots to sprinters. Lead receivers for yardage after the catch.
- Hand off to mix up the offense and catch the defense off guard sometimes.
- On defense, pick smart counters to opponent tendencies and call run/pass blitzes at key moments.
- Manage the clock wisely when holding leads late in games. Run the ball and make them use time-outs.
- Sign free agents only where you have glaring roster needs. Focus on building through the draft.
- Analyze weekly matchups and bench aging or regressing players to develop young prospects.
- Upgrade Training Facilities over multiple seasons to boost player progression.
- Adjust playcalling, roster moves and strategies until you find the right groove that fits your system.
