Pro Quarterback is one of the many Football attempts for the Super Nintendo. Created back in 1994, it received little recognition despite the fact that the Super Nintendo and it's games were making record sales. The problem is that back then the game market was much too saturated with new games, and the only way a game would receive an ovation was if it was exceptional. Pro Quarterback was mediocre at best. When making sports games, one has to consider that all of the game's competitors are going to be based on the same concept. In order to step forward and be seen, a sports game has to make new footprints in the sand, rather than stepping in the ones already made. Pro Quarterback is too much of a follower, not a leader.
The game play is too boring and droll; It quickly becomes boring. You start off by selecting a team: Almost all the teams which existed in 1994 are there, but if you want to find one of the newer franchises, you're out of luck. I was disappointed to find that Oakland, my favourite team, was not featured. You can also choose from many different types of terrains. Some of which are: Synthetic, rain, snow, mud, and grass. Which terrain you choose has no effect on the game other than the appearance. You can choose the length of the quarters as well, your options are two, five, ten, and twenty. Once you're finished selecting your preferences, you're taken to the game field where the opening kick is made. In order to aim your kick you can place the constantly moving power gauge with the press of a button and the direction with a horizontal scale. The play selection screen is simple and easy to use. On top are the defensive plays, and on the bottom are the offensive. In between them is a virtual screen which displays the score and what just happened in the game (sack, interception, etc.). Once your play is selected your team breaks into formation and you throw the ball. An X then appears on the field and the catcher, which you've now taken control of, has to run there to receive the ball. That's it, you pick your play, then execute it. Over and over and over again, the same damn thing. I can't even get through one half without boredom setting in.
The graphics are just another area which were sub-par at best. You see the field from behind your players and slightly above, which normally requires a 3D effect to show the players properly. Unfortunately the 3D effect was terribly done. The players are very choppy and their movement flows poorly with regular graphical scene skips. One time I could have swore my Quarterback's head slipped onto his shoulder then popped back into place, maybe they're all poltergeists. The colour palette of the game is very poor. The players only have one or two colours on them, which is the team colour on the jersey, and a splash of colour on the helmet. These are the kind of colours you'll get if you turn your PC's settings to ''16 colours''. The crowd is basically a mass of distorted circles with strangely placed colours. I can't tell their heads apart from the drawings my two year old sister makes when she gets a hold on the crayons. The field is probably the best part of the graphics, which doesn't say much. Depending on what setting you chose on the options screen you'll either get a green field, a white field, or a brown one. At least the field uses three or so shades of the colour mixed into different places to show wear on the field.
The sound and music basically consists of three or four poorly composed musical tracks. One for the options screen and the half time stats, one for the play selection screen, and one for the playing field. All three I found to be very distorted at times. I picked up a hint of the sound skipping, and something that sounded like a missed note. When listened to objectively, these pieces sound like they're performed by a sixth grade school band just learning the difference between a B-minor and an A-sharp. The ''bleepy bloopy'' effect we got to know during the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) period also makes it's return here. Yes, I know we all hoped that with the new system new levels of sound would be achieved, but no such luck here, folks.
The control is very basic, with no learning time needed. You use B to throw. Once the ball is thrown, you suddenly appear in front of the catcher in a poorly done, and disorienting jump. Once you have control of the catcher you use the direction pad to get to the big X. If you get right on it you can receive the ball with no effort, but if you don't quite make it you can use B (yes, B again) to jump up. While on defence you make use of some other control aspects though. You now have the ability to tackle with Y. When you hit Y you jump forward, if you hit an opposing player, you both fall with a poorly made grunting sound effect. But if you don't hit anyone, you land on your stomach then with no effort or recovery time you suddenly get back to your feet and keep going. You can also jump with B and intercept the ball while it's flying. In order to pick up fumbles you need to just run into them and tackle.
It's painfully obvious that this game was rushed, and it hurts the enjoyability severely. There is little challenge once you realize you're just running around a sad looking field with choppy characters to the tune of a repetitive song. Oh yeah, loads of fun... The replay value is doesn't exist. I found myself having trouble getting through a game, let alone feeling anxious to play again. Overall a very poor effort. There are loads of other football games on the market, and I strongly suggest checking them out before this one. I really regret trading my Star Fox cartridge for this stunning piece of crap.
