Blitz: The League

On either system, though, Blitz: The League is a must-own for any football fan, and anyone who has been feeling nostalgic about the olden days of playing NFL Blitz at the arcade with your buddies.

On either system, though, Blitz: The League is a must-own for any football fan, and anyone who has been feeling nostalgic about the olden days of playing NFL Blitz at the arcade with your buddies.

Blitz: The League is a great football game. It’s a lot of fun to play even if you ignore all the hard hits because the actual football gameplay is solid. Of course, the hard hitting, cursing, and style elevate the game to the next level. While I’m sure true football fans aren’t going to love it (better stick with EA), casual fans and players searching for a true, arcade-style sports game are really going to dig this one. Don’t let the lack of an NFL license fool you: Blitz: The League is a true player.

Blitz the League bringt ein unglaubliches NFL Spielerlebnis zu euch nach Hause. Allein das einfache und actionreiche Gameplay machen diesen Titel wirklich zu einem der besten NFL Spiele. Vor allem für uns Europäer, die nicht gerade viel mit der NFL zu tun haben, ist Blitz the League absolut einsteigerfreundlich und fesselt euch, dank der vielen erspielbaren Goodies, stundenlang an euren Xbox 360 Wireless Controller.

It has been a couple of years since a decent Blitz game has been released. Midway has taken the old formula and changed it all around however with their latest installment Blitz: The League. They are successful in most aspects and the result is a very solid, hard-hitting football game. Overall I had a great time with Blitz: The League. It is a great arcade game, and is definitely better if you have someone to play with. If you have Xbox Live then you are set. There a couple of negatives to the title but there are more positives to be found here overall.

If you are looking for some visceral, inherently fun, and utterly over the top football action, you’ve come to the right place. While there are some polish issues, and a lack of four player support in multiplayer, Blitz is well worth your money if the other football offerings just aren’t cutting it for you. Give this title a shot, and get in on the ground floor of the revitalization of an age-old series.

All told, this is the best that Blitz has been in years. The League reintroduces that classic style of arcade football with an edge that feels wholly appropriate, rather than forced simply for the sake of being edgy. The game also clearly doesn't take itself too seriously, which only adds to the entertainment value. The lack of an NFL license has let Midway effectively go crazy, and by doing so, it's made Blitz relevant again. Whether you're a staunch pigskin purist or arcade all the way, you really owe it to yourself to give Blitz: The League a look. It's easily the best football you'll play all year.

If you ever played Blitz in its arcade heyday, the core mechanics of The League will be immediately familiar to you. This is eight-on-eight football with an incredibly quick pace, 30-yard downs, and the kinds of barbarous hits that would snap a typical human being in half. But really, anyone with a basic understanding of football ought to be able to pick up The League's simplistic mechanics quite easily. You still call plays as you would in any football game, and you can run, pass, and tackle at the press of single buttons. Just don't expect any fancy audibles or defensive scheme shifts to be available. You'll call a play, and that's the play you'll run, dammit.

Blitz: The League is not the Madden alternative, and once the novelty of it all wears off, it's not the classic Blitz either. It's a fun rental with a few hours worth of enjoyment until the shock factor is unveiled to be an immature patience test. Any longer and you'll realize this needs a few more years before it's a full product.

If you’re a vet of football games or the Blitz series, you’re in for a pleasant surprise with Blitz: The League. The injury system provides an added adrenaline kick to gameplay, and the campaign mode, while not fully as explored as it could be, is more than enjoyable for most players. If you’re looking for a good alternative to the standard sim fare, tackle Blitz: The League. Literally beating the hell out of opponents on the football field never felt so good.

If you’re a vet of football games or the Blitz series, you’re in for a pleasant surprise with Blitz: The League. The injury system provides an added adrenaline kick to gameplay, and the campaign mode, while not fully as explored as it could be, is more than enjoyable for most players. If you’re looking for a good alternative to the standard sim fare, tackle Blitz: The League. Literally beating the hell out of opponents on the football field never felt so good.

In all, Blitz: The League remains the perfect arcade football it was on the Xbox and a perfect alternative to the professional licensed titles out there. The question for many is simply a question of what console to get it on and if an upgrade is worth it. Well, seeing as you can pick up the last-gen version for much less, if you still play your Xbox, you may want to check it out there first. For 360 owners however, BTS tweaks a few A.I. issues, looks and sounds better and gives you a bunch of achievements to strive for. I’ve personally owned the Xbox version and would trade it in for this upgrade any day. While I would’ve enjoyed seeing a lot more content added, it’s still the best version of this game to date when friends come over, I’d much rather play them on wireless controllers with a faster loading system. Besides, it seems easier to unlock the FHM content, and isn’t that what we all really care for anyway? F-yeah!

When it comes to football Midway has always had a unique, if not irreverent approach to the sport. Their legacy of Blitz titles has gone down in history as some of the most fun and brutal variations of football you could ever hope to play. And even when they decided to get serious with NFL Blitz Pro back in 2003 they struck gold by giving gamers the choice of playing real football or tweaking those arcade rules back to their violent origins.

Blitz: The League is just about as entertaining as a sports game can get. It harkens back to the days when the original Blitz dominated arcades and really, dropping the NFL license was the best thing that could have happened to the franchise. There are some issues with the gameplay and the experience isn't without flaw, but man is it fun. The graphics and audio are great; maybe not "out of this world great", but they certainly add a lot to the game. I wish the Campaign mode was a little more fleshed out, but the addition of online play makes up for it, especially if you have a buddy with the game.

I sure applaud any game that doesn't take itself too seriously, especially a sports game. I find it ironic that what is essentially a game itself, is taken so seriously by players and fans alike. At least Blitz puts some fun back in the sport, however temporarily. Recommended for a rental.

I sure applaud any game that doesn't take itself too seriously, especially a sports game. I find it ironic that what is essentially a game itself, is taken so seriously by players and fans alike. At least Blitz puts some fun back in the sport, however temporarily. Recommended for a rental.

Already on the Xbox, this is a sleazier version of the awesomely violent US football classic. It drags the game through the sewer, chucking in drugs, gambling scandals and quarterback-shagging hookers. The action is as rib-crushingly vicious as ever.

As a package, Blitz: The League is a fun and refreshing change from the more hardcore football titles out there. While missing NFL branding may mean you won't see your favorite players on the field, you really won't miss them. It's just good old-fashioned skull-bashing fun that anyone can pick up and play, and get a kick out of.

When EA picked up the exclusive licensing rights to the NFL, gamers around the world let out a collective gasp as they realized this meant the death of some of their favorite football franchises. However, while fans were in mourning, Midway was hard at work revamping, retooling, and reinventing its hit Blitz franchise. The result is a game with new teams, no rules, and a unique look at the dark side of the gridiron that's definitely not for the kiddies. For football fans burnt out on the "Madden Experience," this could be exactly the change of pace they've been looking for.

As a "football" game featuring team brawls, betting, illegal drug use, prostitutes, and superhuman special moves (without any sign of referees), its no wonder why Blitz: The League isn't an officially licensed sports title. Unsurprisingly, this latest series installment maintains the Midway legacy of remarkably unsportsmanlike sports entertainment games. Though it may lack the polish and panache of mainstream football franchise games, Blitz: The League plays to its strengths as an over-the-top, hyper-aggressive action-sports experience.

When EA picked up the exclusive licensing rights to the NFL, gamers around the world let out a collective gasp as they realized this meant the death of some of their favorite football franchises. However, while fans were in mourning, Midway was hard at work revamping, retooling, and reinventing its hit Blitz franchise. The result is a game with new teams, no rules, and a unique look at the dark side of the gridiron that's definitely not for the kiddies. For football fans burnt out on the "Madden Experience," this could be exactly the change of pace they've been looking for.

The gameplay needs some tuning, but if you've got a mind to crush some skulls on and off the field, than I think you're gonna be pretty happy with this title.

The gameplay needs tuning, but if you've got a mind to crush some skulls on and off the field, than I think you're gonna be pretty happy with this title.

Blitz: The League is a pretty solid title and is perfect for anyone looking for a different kind of football. It's got a nice edge that makes it stand out from the more generic football offerings, like Madden. It gives you the chance to deliver some bone-shattering hits while still trying to outsmart the A.I. and win the game. Even though it's basically a port with some additional features, Blitz still has addictive and intuitive gameplay that you can pick up time and time again. If you're into the arcade football scene, steroids, jarring damage, and a hooker or two, you should give this game a shot.

Most sports gamers now know the story of Electronic Arts’ sole possession of the NFL video gaming license. They know how other studios and producers were forced to discontinue their NFL game franchises, even when they were wildly popular. They know that EA’s NFL game franchise, the Madden series, has undergone a thoroughly tiresome mediocritization with every passive year.

Break bones, pump steroids, throw your helmet, moon the crowd, and celebrate by sending some hookers to your opponent's hotel room to make sure they are too tired to play the next game.

Treat or juice, that's the question. Do you send your player to the bench and lose him for the game or inject him with a substance neither of you really want to know about and throw him back in the lineup at any cost? Real life…I'm sitting my player out. Blitz: The League? You're getting a needle in that polygonal ass, best believe it. And these are the types of decisions that you'd never see in a game like Madden. The types of things that a licensed game would never allow you to do. And I think the designers behind Blitz did an amazing job in the initial planning stages of the game. From the substances you can purchase for your players to "juice" their abilities to watching player profiles that include stars who just got out of jail, it's a clever concept, and probably one of the only ways that a non-licensed sports game will ever compete with the big boys (why isn't Jose Canseco Baseball already in development, anyway?).

By looking past the horrific graphics and poor storyline, one will see an entertaining, complex football game hidden in the mix. The campaign mode is a delightful change of pace from the stat-laden muck within the Madden series. Additionally, the achievements add considerable hours to your overall playtime. That being said, players who love simulation-style football may be turned away by the arcade nature of the game. Give Blitz a rent before purchasing and see how well it fits your play style. Also, the Xbox & PS2 versions of Blitz are down to the $20 area, so I'd wait until the 360 version falls in price considerably before investing in a purchase.

Blitz : The League constitue une alternative honnête au plus sérieux Madden NFL. Mais en terme de gameplay, ce dernier lui reste largement supérieur. Blitz réussit tout de même à garder les choses relativement simples et rapides, il parvient également à offrir une ambiance totalement décalée et délicieusement sale. A essayer avant de craquer.

All in all, Blitz: The League is true to its old-school roots, which translates into some breezy, speedy fantasy football fun. Gamers may or may not gravitate to the dark and nasty tone, however. If you’ve already played last year’s current-gen game, there’s no real reason to pick this one up unless you’re a fan and obsessive about Achievements. However, it’s got hours of single-player campaign games and is always a terrific multiplayer game, provided you can rustle up a friend in person or online to compete against. After all, that’s where the franchise has always shined – two buddies, side-by-side, smashing each other’s virtual players into the turf. Good times, indeed.

Maybe your first impulse is to throw the red flag on this call, but since there are no red flags in pro football's evil twin: the legacy of Blitz continues. Blitz: The League brutalizes and trash talks its way into the next generation with determination and don't-give-a-crap attitude that is almost admirable.

Al met al kan gezegd worden dat Blitz: The League een zeer degelijke en redelijk geslaagde poging is om American Football na te bootsen. Het spel is op de juiste punten serieus en op andere punten neemt de game het realisme perfect op de hak. Neem daarbij de leercurve die net goed is voor de beginnende speler, samen met de leuke vrij te spelen extra’s, en je hebt een hele leuke game. Helaas is de tutorial te bekrompen voor de speler die geen zin heeft om er moeite in te steken, waardoor niet iedereen door zal durven zetten. Ook grafisch kan het spel toch niet mee met de toppers die tegenwoordig op consoles worden uitgebracht. Desalniettemin is Blitz: The League een degelijke game die eigenlijk heel weinig fout doet.

Visually, Blitz isn't terribly pretty -- but in a symbolic sense, it probably shouldn't be, and only the queeniest graphics-groupies will factor the overall visuals into much of anything. And let's be clear; this is not "good football" by any stretch of the imagination. Blitz: The League is functional, fun, *!#$ed-up fantasy football with enough humor, style, and faux "edge" to keep even the least gridiron-minded among us entertained with its raunchy excess.

The core gameplay in Blitz: The League is really about as fun as a football game can get. There are a lot of flaws with the game but when all of the elements connect there's little in the pigskin realm that's better. The only problem is that the gameplay doesn't stay constantly decent enough to warrant checking out this obviously lazy port. The graphics are also a problem on the 360 because the imperfections are exemplified by the HD presentation. Even so, despite all of the gripes that I had with this version Blitz: The League warrants a solid rental recommendation. It's bone crunching fun that is decidedly different from Madden and that's a step in the right direction in my opinion.

EA thought this season was going to be a cakewalk. The NFL thought it wouldn't have anymore of its image issues presented in playable form. Midway made sure they thought wrong - and did so to the delight of arcade-style football fans everywhere. Granted, this game is no Madden NFL...but Blitz: The League for PS2 wasn't trying to be in the first place. The obligatory AI issues bring the gameplay down a notch, and the presentation could've used a little more interactivity, but for a first effort without the NFL license, Midway's got a fine effort here. If Midway can fix the flaws in the AI and expand the things you can do outside of the football games, they may have themselves a football game to remember the next time out.

I for one am happy to see the Blitz series regain the style and gameplay it was once known for. The addition of the new play styles, attitude, and story mode only enhance this great title. This is easily the best of the Blitz titles, and Midway has given fans a truly fun and entertaining football game that is not hindered by rules and penalties. Blitz the League is not going to change anyone's minds that were not fans of the previous versions, but fans of the series should eat this up. Blitz the League is a real winner.

Although it includes minor improvements over its PlayStation 2 and Xbox counterparts, Midway's Xbox 360 game Blitz the League football feels and looks average. The polished-up visuals fail to match to Madden NFL 07's graphics, even with painful looking bone breaks and vicious tackles. The gameplay and story fail to evolve, offering very little new content to justify the game's $50 price tag. While online play is acceptable, the game does have a number of unlockable achievements, but players can experience all of that over a weekend.

Note to Midway: If you're going to make us ogle cheerleaders after every play, at least make them look good! The load and save screens are agonizingly long. In fact, this is the first game I've played where the loading and saving are longer than the game itself! Blitz probably could have been a viable alternative to Madden, if Midway had not gone off the deep end with all the raunchy gimmicks. Ultimately, Blitz:The League will likely go down in history as an ill-advised novelty item that most people will find more embarrassing that entertaining.

Even on the previous consoles, Blitz - The League was a fun departure for the first few hours. Once the repetitive and completely flagrant attempts at earning the "M" rating become a problem, so does the game. There's little here to warrant the upgrade and the additional cost. You'll receive the same level of enjoyment from the cheaper editions.