Brutal Sports Football
Brutal Sports Football is a 1993 sports video game developed by Teque London and originally published by Millennium Interactive for the Amiga. It was re-published for MS-DOS and Amiga CD32, and later became the first third-party title published for the Atari Jaguar. The first entry in the Brutal Sports series, the game is a fictional style of football played against human or computer-controlled opponents. It features a different take on american football by emphasising the violent aspect of the sport.
Brutal Sports Football | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Developer(s) | Teque London |
Publisher(s) | Millennium Interactive Telegames (Jaguar) |
Producer(s) | Ian Saunter Tony Love |
Designer(s) | Dean Lester |
Programmer(s) | Alistair Mann Colin Hughes Peter Jefferies |
Artist(s) | Antony Hager Ian Stevens |
Composer(s) | Richard Joseph |
Series | Brutal Sports |
Platform(s) | Amiga, MS-DOS, Amiga CD32, Atari Jaguar |
Release | |
Genre(s) | Sports |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
The studio began production in 1992, initially building a beat 'em up role-playing game, and later deciding that a fictional sport would be easier for audiences to understand. During play testing, the staff decided to emphasize the violent aspects of the sport. Critical reception for Brutal Sports Football has varied depending on the platform; praise was given to the visuals, gameplay, and multiplayer, but others expressed mixed opinions regarding the audio and violence. Some reviewers also criticized the choppy scrolling and confusing action. The game was followed by Wild Cup Soccer (1994).
Gameplay
![](../I/Amiga_Brutal_Sports_Football_(AGA).png.webp)
Brutal Sports Football is a seven-a-side sports game reminiscent of Mutant League Football (1993), described as a cross between rugby, football, and soccer.[1][2][3] The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic futuristic setting where genetically engineered teams replaced humans in the Brutal Football League.[4][5][6] There are eleven teams in total, including vikings, lizards, wild goats and rhinos.[4][5][6][7]
Players compete against each other or computer-controlled opponents, selecting from three modes of play: Unfriendly, Knockout, or League.[2][5][6][8] Unfriendly is a standard single match mode for one or two players.[1][8] Knockout is a tournament-style mode where eight teams battle in a competition.[2][5][6][8] League is the main single-player mode, where the player competes in a league of rival teams across four seasons. In this mode, each team has nine players and two of them are substitutional. Depending on their performance, players are rewarded with money that can be used to manage their team, heal damaged teammates, and purchase other bonuses. Only the vikings are playable in both League and Knockout modes, while the lizards, wild goats and rhinos are only playable in Unfriendly mode. A password is given to resume progress.[5][6][8][9]
The gameplay is based on various types of football rules, including tackles, and an oval-shaped football that is kicked through a goal post. However, the game is unique in emphasizing violence, as there are no rules against excessive force.[1][4][9] The players can hit or kill opponents, while items and weapons are randomly scattered across the playfield.[5][6][8][9] Victory is awarded to the team with more points after a time limit of seven minutes, or the team that kills six of the seven teammates on the opposing team. If the match is not over after seven minutes, the players go immediately into sudden death where six out of seven opponents must be killed.[1][5][6][7][8]
Development
![](../I/Amiga500_system.jpg.webp)
Brutal Sports Football is the first entry in the Brutal Sports series developed by Teque London, which previously worked on Shadowlands and Shadoworlds (1992).[10][11] Alistair Mann, Colin Hughes, and Peter Jefferies acted as co-programmers, with Barry Costas serving as technical adviser.[5][10][11] Anthony "Tony" Hager was responsible for the graphics, with Ian "FAD" Stevens providing additional graphics.[5][10][11] The soundtrack was composed by Richard Joseph.[5][10]
The project entered production for the Amiga platform in June 1992, first intended as a beat 'em up role-playing game hybrid called Axequest.[10] Hager stated that the staff liked the initial concept, but felt that it would have been "too different to catch on".[10] The team was forced to produce another original title, avoiding anything "too far" from their target audience's understanding, thus settling on a sports game with beat 'em up elements.[10][11] Although the game was not intended to be violent, the staff decided to make it an integral part of the game as playtests became more enjoyable.[11] Seeing potential in the game, publisher Millennium Interactive commissioned Teque with additional versions for PC and consoles.[11]
Release
The game was first announced as Beastball, initially slated for launch between June and November 1993.[12][13][14] In October, Millennium Interactive published the game for Amiga under its final title, Brutal Sports Football.[4][11][15] In Germany, it was released as Crazy Sports Football.[16][17] It was later ported to MS-DOS and Amiga CD32.[18][19][20] In 1994, an Atari Jaguar port was published in North America on August 22 and in Europe on September by Telegames, being the first third-party title for the platform.[21][22] The Jaguar version was also distributed in Japan by retailer Messe Sanoh.[23] In 1995, the Amiga and CD32 versions were re-released as budget titles.[24][25][26] In 2019, the DOS version was re-released via Steam.[27] Versions for Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System were announced to be in development.[28][29] Both ports were due to be published in North America and Europe, but neither was released until a prototype ROM image of the Genesis version was leaked online in 2011.[29][30][31][32]
Reception
Publication | Score | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Amiga | Atari Jaguar | CD32 | DOS | |
Aktueller Software Markt | 9/12[33] | N/A | 10/12[34] | N/A |
Amiga Action | 87%[1] | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Amiga Computing | 90%[35] | N/A | 72%[20] | N/A |
Amiga Force | 94/100[36] | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Amiga Format | 77%[15] | N/A | 81%[37] | N/A |
Amiga Power | 88%[7] | N/A | 78%[38] | N/A |
Amiga User International | 78%[39] | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Computer and Video Games | 80%[40] | 80%[41] | N/A | N/A |
GameFan | N/A | 71/100[42] | N/A | N/A |
Joystick | 86%[43] | N/A | N/A | 84%[18] |
ST Review | N/A | 84%[44] | N/A | N/A |
Amiga CD32 Gamer | N/A | N/A | 55%[45] | N/A |
Atari ST User | N/A | 90%[46] | N/A | N/A |
CU Amiga | 85%[47] | N/A | 75%[48] | N/A |
The One Amiga | 88%[49] | N/A | 82%[50] | N/A |
PC Joker | N/A | N/A | N/A | 72%[19] |
PC Player | N/A | N/A | N/A | 24/100[51] |
Score | N/A | N/A | N/A | 25%[52] |
Top Secret | 9/10[53] | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | N/A | N/A |
VideoGames | N/A | 7/10[55] | N/A | N/A |
Brutal Sports Football garnered generally favorable reception from critics.[53][56][57] Amiga Computing's Simon Clays praised the audio, well-defined sprites, and variety of ways to injure an opponent.[35] Amiga Action's John Archer felt that the game "could have been a classic" for its humor, violence, sound effects, and multiplayer, but faulted its graphics and single-player mode.[1] Joystick's Jérôme Bonnet gave positive remarks to the gore, multiplayer, and number of leagues, but panned the game's choppy scrolling.[43]
The One Amiga's Matt Broughton lauded the game's audiovisual elements, and artificial intelligence.[49] Amiga Force's Miles Guttery and Ian Osborne praised its multiplayer and overall playability, while describing the game's blood and violence as "a bad taste cartoon.[36] Amiga Format's Amiga Format's Marcus Dyson described the game as "less of a team sport, more of a gang war", while praising its audiovisuals and accessible gameplay.[15] Amiga Power's Steve McGill gave positive remarks to the team's animations, humor, violence, and gameplay. However, McGill noted that it was occasionally difficult to distinguish the action during hectic moments.[7]
CU Amiga's Jon Sloan enjoyed the game's fast pace, audio, and "chunky" graphics, but criticized the "exceedingly dodgy" scrolling.[47] Amiga User International (AUI) commended its visuals, but criticized the "iffy" sound and player selection. They also felt that the game looked confusing in crowded moments.[39] Aktueller Software Markt (ASM) noted its exaggerated violence, while Computer and Video Games gave Brutal Sports Football positive remarks for its audiovisual presentation and playability.[33][40] Multiple reviewers compared the game to Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe (1990), with McGill being more favorable, and Archer and AUI being more critical.[1][7][39]
The MS-DOS version received a mixed response from reviewers.[18][19][51][52] Vincent Solé of Joystick praised the cartoonish violence, humor, and items, but found flaws with the character animations, scrolling, and confusing action.[18] PC Joker's Manfred Duy expressed mixed thoughts with the game's audiovisual presentation but commended its controls.[19] PC Player's Heinrich Lenhardt deemed its controls and gameplay as dull, and found its crude presentation to be flat.[51]
CD32
The Amiga CD32 version was met with average critical sentiments from press compared to the original Amiga release.[37][48][50][58] Broughton commended the CD32 release for its improved controls and addition of new music, but noted that the upgraded graphics were jerky.[50] Stephen Bradley of Amiga Format also faulted the scrolling, as well as the intrusive music and the obscurity of the game ball.[37] Stephen Enstone of CU Amiga criticized the scrolling in parts, particularly when a large crowd of players are scrambling for the ball.[48]
Amiga CD32 Gamer's Mark Wynne faulted the CD32 version for its "clumsy" presentation, irritating weapons, slow pacing, and repetitive gameplay.[45] Tina Hackett of Amiga Computing recommended the game, noting its mixture of american football and beat 'em up action. Hackett also gave the CD32 release positive remarks for the additional graphical details, enhanced sound effects, and rock music.[20] Stuart Campbell of Amiga Power regarded the CD32 version as an enjoyable sports simulator, but felt it was not as playable as Speedball 2 and criticized the "annoying" soundtrack.[38] ASM found the CD32 conversion similar to the original Amiga version.[34]
Jaguar
The Atari Jaguar version garnered average reception from reviewers.[59] GameFan regarded the Jaguar release as a unique and fun sports game, citing its music, controls, and colorful visuals. Regardless, they complained that it sounded and played like a 16-bit title for the Super NES or Sega Genesis.[42] Writing for Atari ST User, Hackett lauded the Jaguar port for its detailed visuals, soundtrack, and gore. She also proclaimed the Jaguar port was faster and smoother than the computer iterations.[46] Mark Patterson of Computer and Video Games gave the Jaguar conversion positive remarks for its fast action and gameplay, recommending playing the game in two-player mode.[41] Reviewing the Jaguar version, VideoGames' Eric Nakamura commended its audiovisual presentation and easy-to-learn controls, but noted the game's choppy scrolling and small characters.[55]
GamePro's Daniel Thomas MacInnes labeled it as one of the best games on the Jaguar, highlighting the game's use of color and music to establish its violent theme. However, MacInnes saw the average-sized characters, choppy scrolling, and static background crowd as visual flaws.[60] ST Review's Nial Grimes praised the Jaguar version for its "slick" presentation and playability, but criticized the uninspired music and awkward power-ups.[44] Tytus of Polish publication Top Secret criticized the game's music, but gave it overall positive remarks for its sound effects and animated visuals.[54] In a retrospective outlook of the Jaguar port, author Andy Slaven expressed that the "choppy framerates and very stupid computer opponents sideline the detailed graphics and good control."[61]
References
- Archer, John (November 1993). "Action Review - Sports Sim: Take control of a tribe of hairy Vikings and completely atomise the opposing team. Sheer brutality! - Brutal Sports Football". Amiga Action. No. 50. Europress, IDG Media. pp. 32–34.
- Fisher, The King (December 1993). "Genesis ProReview: Beastball". GamePro. No. 53. IDG. p. 80.
- Scholeri III, Joseph (1998). "Brutal Sports Football (Atari Jaguar) - Overview". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- Clays, Simon (September 1993). "Gamer — On The Drawingboard 1: Brutal Sports Football". Amiga Computing. No. 64. Europress, IDG Media. p. 117.
- Brutal Sports Football official program 2070/1 (Amiga, EU)
- Brutal Sports Football (Game Manual) (International ed.). Telegames. 1994.
- McGill, Steve (December 1993). "Game Reviews: Brutal Sports Football — Just remember, kids - it's really the taking part that counts, and not who wins or loses their life in the process". Amiga Power. No. 32. Future Publishing. pp. 50–51. Archived from the original on 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- Storey III, Dudley (March 1994). "Games: Brutal Football (Millennium)". Amiga Down Under. No. 7. Fremont Holdings. p. 73.
- "First Impressions: Brutal Sports - Football (Millennium)". CU Amiga. No. 42. EMAP. August 1993. p. 53.
- Upchurch, David (August 1993). "Work In Progress: Brutal Sports Football - Injury Time". The One Amiga. No. 59. EMAP. pp. 42–43.
- McGill, Steve (October 1993). "Things To Come: Brutal Sports Football". Amiga Power. No. 30. Future Publishing. p. 20. Archived from the original on 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- Upchurch, David (April 1993). "Work In Progress: A View To A Thrill — Beast Ball". The One Amiga. No. 55. EMAP. p. 36.
- Roundell, Paul (May 1993). "Gamer — On The Drawingboard: Beast Ball". Amiga Computing. No. 60. Europress, IDG Media. p. 112.
- Barker, Linda (June 1993). "Things To Come: Beastball + Diggers + Dinoworlds + Flag — Millennium Interactive". Amiga Power. No. 26. Future Publishing. p. 22. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- Dyson, Marcus (December 1993). "Game Review: Brutal Sports Football". Amiga Format. No. 53. Future Publishing. pp. 100–101. Archived from the original on 2021-11-27. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- Löwenstein, Richard (December 1993). "Games im Test - Sport: Crazy Sports Football - Fair play? Nein danke!". Amiga Joker (in German). No. 42. Joker-Verlag. p. 34.
- Dietsch, Wolfgang (April 1994). "Review: Crazy Sports Football". Amiga Games (in German). No. 19. Computec. p. 48.
- Solé, Vincent (December 1993). "Test PC: Brutal Sports Football - Un sport futuriste et décapant". Joystick (in French). No. 44. Hachette Disney Presse. pp. 118–119.
- Duy, Manfred (December 1993). "Schweiss & Tränen — Games Für Sportler: Sport ist Mord - Crazy Sports Football". PC Joker (in German). No. 17. Joker-Verlag. p. 77. Archived from the original on 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
- Hackett, Tina (June 1994). "System Essentials: Brutal Sports Football (CD32)". Amiga Computing. No. 74. Europress, IDG Media. p. 161.
- "Jaguar Tackboard: Jaguar Press Releases — ATARI ABOLISHES ALL RULES; SCORES TOUCHDOWN WITH NEW "BRUTAL SPORTS FOOTBALL"". Atari Explorer Online. Vol. 3, no. 11. Subspace Publishers. September 12, 1994. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
- Girlich, Stephan (October 1994). "Test Jaguar: Brutal Sports Football — Nach Mutant League Football fürs MD kommt auch der Jaguar in den Genuß einer Splatter-Variante des eh schon rauhen Männersports". Mega Fun (in German). No. 25. Computec. p. 96. Archived from the original on 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- DD (October 14, 2012). "JAGUER販売カタログ". DDの形見分け (in Japanese). FC2. Archived from the original on 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2018-09-04.
- Bradley, Stephen (April 1995). "Screenplay: They're Coming Around Again For A Tenner". Amiga Format. No. 70. Future Publishing. p. 62. Archived from the original on 2021-11-27. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- Mellerick, Paul (April 1995). "Game Reviews: Global Effect + Wild Cup Soccer + Brutal Football". Amiga Power. No. 48. Future Publishing. p. 70. Archived from the original on 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- Broughton, Matt (June 1995). "Replays! - Brutal Football (Kixx)". The One Amiga. No. 81. EMAP. pp. 58–59.
- "Brutal Sports - Football". Steam Spy. 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "The Sports Scene: Coming Soon on the Super NES". Nintendo Power. No. 54. Nintendo of America. November 1993. p. 18.
- P. Olson, Steven (2007). "Sell Sheets: Beastball". stevenolson.com. Archived from the original on 2005-09-14. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
- "Messebericht: Messeneuheiten Für Mega Drive Und Super Nintendo". MAN!AC (in German). No. 1. Cybermedia. November 1993. p. 12.
- "News: Football With Teeth". Mean Machines Sega. No. 13. EMAP. November 1993. p. 12.
- Buchanan, Adam (September 16, 2011). "Unreleased Sega Mega Drive Beastball ROM Surfaces Online". RetroCollect. Archived from the original on 2014-07-12. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
- "Review: Crazy Sports Football — Immer in die Weichteile". Aktueller Software Markt (in German). No. 83. Tronic Verlag. January 1994. p. 61.
- "CD-ROM - Amiga CD32 bunt gemischt: Neu-Silber - Brutal Football". Aktueller Software Markt (in German). No. 89. Tronic Verlag. July 1994. pp. 90–91.
- Clays, Simon (October 1993). "Gamer: Brutal Sports Football - Let's talk dirty". Amiga Computing. No. 65. Europress, IDG Media. pp. 106–108.
- Guttery, Miles; Osborne, Ian (November–December 1993). "Rave review! - Brutal Sports Football". Amiga Force. No. 12. Europress Impact. pp. 32–34.
- Bradley, Stephen (May 1994). "CD32 Games: Brutal Football". Amiga Format. No. 59. Future Publishing. p. 86. Archived from the original on 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- Campbell, Stuart (June 1994). "Game Reviews: Hi-Ho Silver Lining - Brutal Football (CD32)". Amiga Power. No. 38. Future Publishing. pp. 82–83. Archived from the original on 2019-10-11. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- "AUI Entertainment Now! - The Best of the Rest: Brutal Sports Field". Amiga User International. Vol. 8, no. 1. AUI Limited. January 1994. p. 81. Archived from the original on 2021-11-28. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- "CVG Review — Every New Game Reviewed and Rated: Supershorts - Brutal Sports Football (A1200)". Computer and Video Games. No. 155. EMAP. October 1994. p. 111.
- Patterson, Mark (September 1994). "CVG Review: Don't Lose Your Head - Brutal Sports Football". Computer and Video Games. No. 154. EMAP. p. 82.
- Halverson, Dave; Rickards, Kelly; Cockburn, Andrew; Martinez Jr., Frank (August 1994). "Viewpoint: Brutal Football (Jaguar); Jaguar's Domain: Brutal Sports Football". GameFan. Vol. 2, no. 9. DieHard Gamers Club. p. 31, 131.
- Bonnet, Jérôme (November 1993). "Test Amiga: Brutal Sports Football - La simulation sportive la plus droie du monde". Joystick (in French). No. 43. Hachette Disney Presse. pp. 154–155.
- Grimes, Nial (December 1994). "ST Action - Jagged Edge: Brutal Sports Football - Let's Get Brutal..." ST Review. No. 33. EMAP. p. 61.
- Wynne, Mark (June 1994). "CD Review: Brutal Football". Amiga CD32 Gamer. No. 2. Paragon Publishing. p. 37.
- Hackett, Tina (September 1994). "Action Feature: The Jaguar has landed — Brutal Sports Football". Atari ST User. No. 104. Europress. p. 57.
- Sloan, Jon (December 1993). "Game Review: Brutal Sports-Football". CU Amiga. No. 46. EMAP. p. 18.
- Enstone, Stephen (May 1994). "CD32 Zone: Brutal Football". CU Amiga. No. 51. EMAP. p. 47.
- Broughton, Matt (November 1993). "Review - Brutal Sports Football". The One Amiga. No. 61. EMAP. pp. 72–73.
- Broughton, Matt (March 1995). "Updates... - Brutal Football (CD32)". The One Amiga. No. 77. EMAP. pp. 56–57.
- Lenhardt, Heinrich (February 1994). "Spiele-Tests: Crazy Football — Wenn Androiden Foofball spie- len und mäßig talentierte Spiel- designer die Regeln fröhlich ändern, muß man sich auf eini- ges gefaßt machen". PC Player (in German). No. 14. DMV-Verlag. p. 82.
- Henzl, Vladimír (May 1994). "Recenze - Brutal Sports Series: Football". Score (in Czech). No. 5. Omega Publishing Group. p. 32.
- Piotras (January 1994). "Brutal Sports Football (Amiga)". Top Secret (in Polish). No. 22. Bajtek Publishing House. p. 9.
- Tytus (July 1995). "Konsolowy Świat - Jaguar: Brutal Sports Football". Top Secret (in Polish). No. 40. Bajtek Publishing House. p. 56.
- Nakamura, Eric (September 1994). "Reviews - Jaguar: Brutal Sports Football". VideoGames. No. 68. Larry Flynt Publications. p. 78.
- Broughton, Matt (July 1994). "Updates... - Brutal Football (A1200 Deluxe Edition)". The One Amiga. No. 69. EMAP. p. 81. Archived from the original on 2008-05-31. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
- Dillon, Tony (August 1994). "Game Review: Brutal Football (A1200)". CU Amiga. No. 54. EMAP. p. 84.
- "Review: Brutal Football (Amiga CD32)". Power Unlimited (in Dutch). No. 12. VNU Media. September 1994.
- Perry, Dave; Walkland, Nick; Roberts, Nick; Price, Adrian (September 1994). "Reviews: Brutal Sports Football (Jaguar)". Games World. No. 3. Paragon Publishing. p. 22.
- MacInnes, Daniel Thomas (October 1994). "ProReview - Jaguar: Brutal Sports Football". GamePro. No. 64. IDG. p. 78. Archived from the original on 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- Slaven, Andy; Barnes, Lucus (2002). "JAG - Atari Jaguar". Video Game Bible, 1985-2002. Vol. 1. Trafford Publishing. pp. 47–53. ISBN 9781553697312.