Sega Dreamcast
Released in 1999 by Midway
Grade: B-
If you like Blitz’s wacky action, this is a decent version to get. It has a raw, retro feel, but the graphics look nicer than on PS1 and N64.
Where it falls in the series
It’s the first of two editions on Dreamcast, released a year after the first NFL Blitz came out on N64 and PS1.
Praises and gripes
Some people love Blitz. It’s quick, simple, and hard-hitting. Playcalling is basic, with no run plays, and the ball is zipped around like a bullet. You can make up trick plays on the fly, tossing back to a running back who then fires downfield. You can learn to perfect the timing on stiff-arms and jumps to avoid those long, lunging tackles.
Me, I’m not crazy about Blitz. It’s cracked out. It’s like a contest of cheapness played by machines in fast-forward. Defenders are clueless, and their only advantage is that they can nail receivers before they get the ball. I really don’t like the limited selection of defensive plays, each with its own unique formation. A savvy player would know what the defense is doing before the snap, but who the hell wants to get that good at this game? At least you can be creative on offense, I’ll give this game that.
There are late hits after every play, and they get boring fast. There’s no purpose except for the giggles.
Also, Midway’s patented rubberband AI is in full effect, always causing a fumble or a freak interception at the most key moments. I don’t mind some trickery behind the scenes, but it’s painfully unavoidable here.
On Dreamcast, the graphics are smooth, but they’re full of sharp angles that look like they originated on an older console. I’ve read other gamers online claiming that the Dreamcast versions are the cream of the Blitz crop. I guess, but I don’t think the Dreamcast’s joystick is quite right for Blitz. The default control scheme isn’t intuitive, and for some reason, you cannot assign turbo to the right trigger. What the hell?
I reluctantly call this is the best football game on Dreamcast. There’s a trio of NFL 2K games on Dreamcast, and in my opinion, they aren’t very good.