NFL Blitz (2012 video game)

NFL Blitz

Developer(s) EA Tiburon
Publisher(s) EA Sports
Series NFL Blitz
Platform(s) PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade
Release date(s)
  • NA January 4, 2012
Genre(s) Sports
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer
Distribution Download

NFL Blitz is a downloadable video game by EA Sports featuring the teams of the National Football League. It is a reboot of the NFL Blitz series,[1] the first Blitz game officially sponsored by the NFL after a number of releases in the Blitz series which did not bear the NFL's official license. (There is debate among fans as to whether Blitz: The League I and II are canonical). It was released in North American territories on January 4, 2012 on both PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade. Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was selected to be the virtual cover athlete of the game.[2]

Development

Announced in October 2011,[3] Blitz's resurrection came on the heels of EA Sports's successful reboot of the NBA Jam franchise, the other franchise which made up Midway's 1990s dominance of arcade style sports games. The game would to offer a number of online modes, a mode entitled "Blitz Gauntlet" which featured players climbing up a ladder of opponents a la Mortal Kombat, and Elite League, a mode similar to Madden's Franchise Mode or FIFA's Ultimate Team. Conspicuous in their absence would be hits after the conclusion of a play, at the request of the NFL.

Reception

Reception has been mostly positive for Blitz; though some critics have bemoaned the lack of late hits and the capricious interceptions (see: Getting Midwayed), most view the game as a welcome return to the simplicity of early Blitz games.

References

  1. ↑ "EA Sports Makes NFL Blitz Remake Official". pastapadre.com. 2011-10-19. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  2. ↑ Robinson, Jon. "Ray Rice wins 'NFL Blitz' cover vote - ESPN". Espn.go.com. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  3. ↑ Earnest "Nex" Cavalli. "The Escapist : News : NFL Blitz Returns This January". Escapistmagazine.com. Retrieved 2012-09-18.