Anyone else still think Tecmo Superbowl is the best Football game ever?

To me anything is better than Madden. Even though I haven't played this game I will agree :P

BTW Kasz, how much does the game cost new?

New?  Probably a couple hundred dollars.  It's an NES game afterall.

I think just regular "Tecmo Bowl" is on the virtual console.

Tecmo Superbowl probably will never be because Madden holds the exclusive NFL rights now.

I just know that the time I spent playing in my friend's unfinished basement was among my best in gaming.

Whoops! Thought you were talking about the DS one lol.

I agree that Tecmo Bowl was and still is the Shyt and best football game!

I also like NFL 2k5 alot as well.

NFL Blitz was my favorite. NFL 2K after that. Madden following that. Then Tecmo Bowl.

Nothing beats Blitz and the thirty yard first downs performed via hail mary passes. Who can forget the greatest play in videogame football history...Da Bomb!

Can somebody explain to me exactly what is wrong with Madden? I don't get it. What about the game is so god awful to explain the backlash it receives on internet forums?

I think it's partially the minimal improvements made on a year to year.  (Which most people could tolerate).   Then it is also the complete removal of features that were in previous generations of the games.  (For example,  Franchise mode in 2009 finally ALMOST got as in-depth as the Franchise mode for Madden 2007 for the PS2 was).  Then it is the consistent $60 (Or full price) tag that always runs along side it.   

So add it up,  minimal changes on a yearly basis, flucuation of features, full priced, new edition each passing year.  This results in a lot of frustration out of loyal fans who need their football fix yearly. 

Additional things to consider is the fact that Madden is an EA sports game.  (Which is a whole other ball of wax)   And last but not least combine the above factors and then see that Madden has the exclusive rights to the football genre? Meaning you are absolutely forced to buy Madden and only Madden? 

One more gripe that I personally have with Madden is that compared to almost any other football game, it feels like often times you aren't **playing** or playing a lot less than other games.  I'm a good Madden player too, so this isn't an issue of not knowing the controls or various coverages or ways to move your team.  I think Madden is a little too 'simulation' and not enough game.

Most of your points have nothing to do with it being a bad football game though. Limited innovations are a problem with every single sports game on this planet that is on a yearly basis. There are limited amounts of innovations that can be done given only 12 months of dev time. Why does Madden need to be the single sports game to get called out on it? I didn't see monster revelations going from MLB 08 the Show to MLB 09 the Show, but they are both fantastic games.

The only valid points brought up are the Franchise mode, which I agree with even though it doesn't affect me personally and the complaint of the game playing itself too much, which I don't understand at all. To counter the first point, Madden 09 introduced online leagues, which is a huge addition. For the second point, what about Madden is different from other football games to make it feel like you aren't playing? On offense, you pick plays, run hot routes, throw the ball or give it to an RB and then you take control of the individual with the ball until you get tackled or you score. You punt and hit field goals just like other football games. You return kickoffs like all other football games. On defense, you swap defensive players with the press of a button just like other football games. I'm not saying you are necessarily wrong, but I don't see it.

For me it's just never been as much fun... and it's not really close enough to simulation accurate for me to mitigate that.

The fact that the NFL2k series was always better than Madden (not as big of difference as NBA2k vs NBA Live (Live is complete shit in my opinion)). Also, I have an EA boycott due to them not releasing another General Chaos.

On Topic: I loved Tecmo Super Bowl. I still have found memories of my cousin choosing probably the worse team on that game (Cleveland Browns) and running all over of my ass (I would even pick the Bear which were badass in that game with Payton and Singletary) with his up and down tackle dodging tactics (usually any one else that tried this I could always tackle but for some reason he dodge better). I was pretty damn good at the game but he was far superior. He would scream Mack attack!! when he would hand it off to the Cleveland RB Kevin Mack (must have been the scare tactics that allowed him to run all over me).