History of NFL Football (video game) in Timeline

NFL Football, released by Mattel for the Intellivision in 1980, is an American football video game. Players manage a team through four quarters. Despite having an NFL license and using the logo, the game didn't feature official NFL team or player names. It's recognized as the first football video game to implement a playbook, adding a layer of strategic depth previously unseen in the genre.

1980: NFL Football Release on Intellivision

In 1980, Mattel developed and released the American football video game NFL Football for the Intellivision system. The game allowed players to control football teams in a standard four-quarter game. Although Mattel obtained a license from the NFL and used the league's logo, the game did not feature official NFL team or player names. NFL Football is considered the first football video game to feature a playbook.

1982: Super Challenge Football Port Released

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 Praises NFL Football

In 1982, Video magazine's "Arcade Alley" column praised NFL Football for its number and variety of available plays. Reviewers suggested "NFL Football will make video arcade lovers think they've died and gone to Super Bowl heaven." Reviewers suggested that "the scrolling playfield and great number of offensive and defensive play possibilities are without peer in the video-game field".

1994: NFL Incorporates Two-Point Conversion

In 1994, the NFL incorporated the two-point conversion rule. Prior to this, the video game NFL Football did not include a two-point conversion option because the NFL had not yet adopted the rule.