Pigskin 621AD: Ancient Archrivals on a Rampage

Story-

Jerry Glanville has had it with all the pleasantries of normal football and decided that now is the time to slap his name (for absolutely no discernible reason whatsoever) on top of the medieval, arcade style Pigskin Footbrawl for its Genesis exclusive release. As the knight of your team, it's your job to make Jerry proud by punching, stabbing and scoring touchdowns to lead your squad to victory! Seriously though... who the hell is Jerry Glanville anyways and why does he wear cowboy outfits in the game when it's set in 621 A.D.?

Overview-

Jerry Glanville's Pigskin Footbrawl is a side-scrolling action "football" game where your objective is to outscore your opponent with touchdowns which can be done by navigating your player (or assisting a cpu controlled teammate) all the way to either the right or left side of the screen. While this may sound somewhat similar to regular football (or rugby), this convention is thrown on its head as players can punch and dogpile the opposing team with no remorse, all amongst a medieval backdrop no less! In addition to the opposing team's snarling defenders, the play field is littered with obstacles which makes reaching the end zone that much more difficult.

Pigskin Footbrawl begins with both sides vying for possession of the ball by any means necessary. Once achieved (by either you or a cpu controlled teammate), several offensive options become available such as passing the ball forward to a teammate, kicking the ball downfield, etc. with the intention of scoring as many touchdowns as possible while of course, defending your goal from the opposing team. Be forewarned though, score too often and take a large enough lead and the medieval mob partaking in this "sporting" event will call for a troll to join the losing side which will greatly increase that teams chances since they are faster and stronger than normal competitors. Do your best to survive the mayhem of this renaissance rumble and outscore either the cpu or a friend to claim victory for your team.

Critical Analysis-

• Gameplay: 4/5 (I like it)
  I'm not sure whose idea it was to combine medieval tomfoolery with football/rugby but I love it! Its shallow in fun single-player options which prevents this rating from being better but this truly is one of the more fun multiplayer games from the 'tude era. I'm always a sucker for quick arcade style releases and this is yet another great adaptation that can be found on the Sega Genesis.
• Controls: 4/5 (I like it)
  The controls are simple and responsive enough to receive a "The 'Tude Dude likes it" rating despite the stiffness you feel from your controlled character as you sluggishly attempt to maneuver about. The overall chaos of the game coupled with the screen scrolling effect can have a negative impact on your coherency at times but I consider this more of a graphical issue than a control one as they work fine despite these inadequacies. They're very easy to pick up in the beginning but they're also the type of controls where you get a better grasp on them the longer you play which rewards experienced players.
• Music/Sound: 3/5 (Meh)
  Big fan of all of the sound effects with impressive voice clips and plenty of in-game grunts but what's up with the lousy music? This game was just dying for some kind of Road Rash sounding grungy theme to go with the rest of its 'tudey design. Instead, we get a generic and sappy jingle that quickly fades into the background once the game starts... lame.
• Graphics: 3/5 (Meh)
  The graphics aren't bad and faithfully represent its arcade counterpart well but they're plain and not very memorable in any way. I like all of the cutscenes and the character sprites are distinctive but you don't see enough of anything different for your eyes to not go stale quickly. Can Jerry Glanville not get a more clear picture for the halftime screen he looks like a Sega CD still-image?
• 'Tude Meter: MAXIMUM (Coolness guaranteed)
  This is the kind of game that the Genesis flaunts in the face of anyone that questions its edginess. There's face punching, skull piles and Jerry Glanville who's clearly WAY too cowboy for the minivan driving Super Nintendo! Not to mention, there's a freakin' attitude button which is pretty sweet even if it doesn't do anything too significant.

Final Verdict: 4/5 (Good game)

Move over John Madd... actually no there's only room enough for one long forgotten coach's franchise on this shelf... sorry. Despite a shallow offering of gameplay modes and blatant lack of at-least-decent-music, Jerry Glanville's Pigskin Footbrawl gets a better-than-expected rating for being a fun and accessible multiplayer title that works well with gamers of any skill level. It's a little odd in design (like Pong mixed with face punches) but it fits perfectly with the gore-filled and mega 'tudey games in the Sega Genesis library while standing out as yet another quality arcade conversion found on the system. I love the humor in the world of Footbrawl as well as it helps to breathe life into what would be an otherwise redundant execution overall.

There's no denying that this football/fightfest is far from greatness with its lack of robust single-player offerings but it does stand out as being completely unique while offering an accessible and instantly gratifying arcade sports experience that fits the Genesis nicely. Besides that, my biggest complaint without a doubt is the inclusion of "thanks for the free check" mascot Jerry Glanville who was given WAY more life in this review than anything that happens in the game. I mean, if Sega EVER feels the need to shamelessly include an unnecessary spokesman for one of their sports title's, how about 'Tude League Football (what dreams may come) or 'Tude Dude's Pigskin Footbrawl 2: The Quest For Free Money. ...Well, it was worth a shot at least. Anyways, the next time your itchin' for some arcade-style football with a 'tudey twist, slam in Jerry Glanville's Pigskin Footbrawl and do the ole' coach a solid by not only defeating your opponent... but keeping your eyes peeled for that ever illusive Elvis Presley (SERIOUSLY where is this guy???)!

Parting Thoughts-

• Pros-
  *Good multiplayer
  *Full of 'tude
  *Simple gameplay
• Cons-
  *Unforgivable lack of quality music
  *Redundant visuals
  *Stiff controls

The 'Tude Dude's Bottom Line-

A fun multiplayer experience and simplistic premise save Jerry Glanville's Pigskin Footbrawl from the guillotine of criticism overall though it could (and probably should) be even better than it is.

Thanks for reading!