History of NFL Football (video game) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 5, 2026

NFL Football, released by Mattel for Intellivision in 1980, is an American football video game where players control teams in a standard game. Though licensed by the NFL and using the league's logo, it did not use official team or player names. Notably, it is considered the first football video game to incorporate a playbook, adding strategic depth to the gameplay. It marks an early milestone in the development of football video games.

1980: NFL Football Release on Intellivision

In 1980, Mattel released "NFL Football" for the Intellivision system. The game allowed players to control football teams in a standard four-quarter game and was the first football video game to have a playbook.

1982: Super Challenge Football Release

In 1982, M Network, Mattel's third-party brand, released a port of "NFL Football" called "Super Challenge Football" for the Atari 2600.

1982: Video Magazine Review of Football

In 1982, Video magazine praised Football for its number and variety of available plays and strategic elements, suggesting the game would make video arcade lovers think they've died and gone to Super Bowl heaven.

1994: NFL Incorporates Two-Point Conversion Rule

In 1994, the NFL incorporated the two-point conversion rule. Prior to this, in games like NFL Football, this rule was absent and not considered a significant omission at the time of the game's release.