Summary
- Release Year: 2005
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Wii, Xbox
- Developers: Midway Games, Point of View
- Publishers: Midway Games
Blitz: The League (2005): A Hard-Hitting Football Extravaganza
Released in 2005 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, Blitz: The League is an American football game developed by Midway Games as an unlicensed extension of their NFL Blitz series. Unlike its predecessors, Blitz: The League was not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL), as the NFL had signed an exclusive licensing deal with Electronic Arts.
Gameplay
Blitz: The League is an arcade-style football game that emphasizes fast-paced, over-the-top gameplay. Players can choose from a variety of teams and play in a variety of modes, including single-player, multiplayer, and online multiplayer.
The game features a number of unique gameplay mechanics, including:
- Blitz Mode: A special mode that allows players to perform powerful tackles and hits.
- Dirty Tricks: Players can use a variety of dirty tricks to gain an advantage, such as tripping, punching, and even using weapons.
- Power-Ups: Players can collect power-ups that give them special abilities, such as increased speed or strength.
Reception
Blitz: The League received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising its fast-paced gameplay and over-the-top violence. However, some critics criticized the game’s lack of polish and its repetitive gameplay.
The game was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. It was also nominated for several awards, including “Best Sports Game” at the 2005 Spike Video Game Awards.
Legacy
Blitz: The League is considered to be one of the best arcade-style football games ever made. It is known for its fast-paced gameplay, over-the-top violence, and unique gameplay mechanics. The game has been cited as an influence on several later football games, including the NFL Blitz series and the Madden NFL series.
Controversy
Blitz: The League was the first game in the Blitz series to receive an “M” rating by the ESRB due to its graphic violence, explicit language, and drug use. The game was banned in Australia by the Office of Film and Literature Classification due to its use of drugs as incentives and rewards.
Sequels and Spin-Offs
Blitz: The League was followed by two sequels, Blitz: Overtime (2006) and Blitz: The League II (2008). Blitz: Overtime was released for the PlayStation Portable and featured the voicework and likeness of former pro linebacker Bill Romanowski. Blitz: The League II was released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
In addition to the sequels, Blitz: The League has also spawned several spin-off games, including Blitz: Time’s Up (2007) and Blitz: The Legend (2009).
Conclusion
Blitz: The League is a classic arcade-style football game that is known for its fast-paced gameplay, over-the-top violence, and unique gameplay mechanics. The game was a commercial success and has been cited as an influence on several later football games. Despite its controversial content, Blitz: The League remains a popular game among fans of arcade-style football.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
