How to play Touchdown Football online
- Game options: F2 (Select) or Z on the title screen, then use the arrow keys to choose player vs. player, player vs. computer or computer vs. computer, the quarter length, and whether a delay-of-game penalty is used
- Kick off the game: F3 (Reset)
- Pick a play: push the arrow keys in one of eight directions, or leave them centred, to choose a formation or pass route
- Hide your play from a human opponent: hold Z while choosing, then release Z while still holding the direction
- Snap the ball, pass and kick: Z
- Move the ball carrier or your free safety: arrow keys
- Pause: F4
Only the USA (NTSC) version is available for the 7800, so there is no region switch on this page.
Gameplay
A referee opens the game with a coin toss. On offense you choose a formation, such as Shotgun, I-formation, Slot or Split T, then a route for each receiver and a blocking direction for the line. After the snap you control the quarterback. Run with him, and he gets a burst of speed past the line of scrimmage, or drop back and pass: press Z once for the receiver nearer the bottom of the screen and twice for the one nearer the top. Once the ball is in the air, you control the receiver and have to move him under it.
On defense you pick one of nine formations, from Blitz to Prevent, and then control only the free safety. Both sides can change their call at the line with an audible. Punts and field goals come from the Kick formation, and defenders can block kicks. Scoring follows the real game: six points for a touchdown, three for a field goal, two for a safety and one for the extra point.
Tips
- Start with the Shotgun and Streak routes. They are the easiest way to learn the passing game.
- Mix up your plays. The computer defense remembers plays you call often for a while, and repeating a pass is a good way to get intercepted.
- Don’t throw to a blocker. A receiver assigned to block cannot catch a pass.
- Follow your blockers on running plays and look for open space.
- Try a fake punt. Your punter can run with the ball instead of kicking it.
The story behind Touchdown Football
Touchdown Football was developed by Imagic and first came out in 1984, published by IBM for its PCjr computer. Electronic Arts later published it for the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit computers, and the 7800 cartridge still carries an Electronic Arts copyright from 1985. Atari Corporation released the 7800 version in 1989, in North America only.
