You could do worse.
PlayStation 1
Released in 1996 by Acclaim
Grade: D+
I figured this game would suck, and it pretty much does.
Where it falls in the series
The original NFL Quarterback Club and a 96 version came out on Genesis and SNES. The 97 edition is the only one on PS1, also released on Sega Saturn and DOS. The series moved to N64 for 98, later Dreamcast, and later PS2 with the 2002 version before Acclaim gave up on football. Getting your ass kicked by Madden for eight years will do that to you.
Praises and gripes
Like many other early 32-bit games, this feels like a retro game that just looks a little better, or like a 13-year-old who suddenly has hairy armpits but no original thoughts.
The controls are simple, at times unresponsive, and the options are limited. Passing is plagued by an utter lack of fluidity. Your receiver is often standing still by the time the ball reaches him. Receivers break off their routes or run routes that don’t match the play diagram.
Running is functional, but also lacks a feeling of momentum. Run plays rarely develop how it seems like they should.
Remember the fun QB Challenge mini games from the original game? No such luck this time around. It’s just a football video game, a sucky football video game, a really sucky football video game.