Emmitt Smith Football SNES

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith gets his own videogame with the imaginatively titled Emmitt Smith Football for the Super NES. Although the game lacks approval from the NFL and NFLPA, it does purport to be professional football that "has never been more in your control." Instead of merely acting as a spectator, you get to be field commander, strategist and player.

After selecting two teams (city names only), you get to challenge the computer or a friend as the home team or the visitor. Next, you get to select quarter length (5, 10 or 15 minutes) and weather conditions (fair, rainy or snowy). After the coin toss, it's time for the kickoff. A power meter is available to judge how hard you want to kick the ball. You can even attempt an onside kick!

Thanks to a special Play Editor feature, Emmitt Smith Football lets you design and save (via passwords) more than 60 different plays for your offense and defense. You can restructure classic plays of modern era football or create ones of your own. If you want to view a play action sequence again, simply hit instant replay. You can change viewpoints while the game is in progress and during replays.

When on offense, you can let the computer control your quarterback or you can take the reigns yourself. Special color-coded markers enable you to keep track of receivers that are far upfield. Green markers indicate an open receiver, yellow markers indicate a receiver that is covered by one defender, and red markers indicate a receiver that is covered by more than one defender. Switch control to the receiver when necessary to catch the ball. When running the ball as a receiver or a running back, you can dive, shoulder block, spin and sidestep to shake off defenders.

When on defense, you can move the player you are controlling anywhere you like, but be careful not to cross the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. You can press B to switch to the player closest to the ball and Y to execute a dive in the direction you are heading.

Tired of passively watching professional football from the stands or from your living room couch? Become part of the action with Emmitt Smith Football!

Controls: Gamepad/Joystick