Difference between revisions of "ESPN Sunday Night NFL"

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{{Bob
 
{{Bob
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| bobscreen=
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| bobscreen=ESPNSundayNightNFL title.png
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| publisher=[[Sony Electronic Publishing]]
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| publisher=[[Sony Imagesoft|Sony Electronic Publishing]]
 
| developer=[[Sony Imagesoft]], [[Ringler Studios]], [[Absolute Entertainment]]
 
| developer=[[Sony Imagesoft]], [[Ringler Studios]], [[Absolute Entertainment]]
−
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Mega CD]]
+
| licensor=[[ESPN]], [[National Football League]], [[Team NFL]]
−
| romsize={{MD}} 2MB
+
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Mega-CD]]
−
| usa=1994
+
| sounddriver=[[GEMS]]
 +
| peripherals=
 +
| players=1-2
 
| genre=Sports
 
| genre=Sports
 +
| subgenre=American football
 +
| releases={{releasesMD
 +
| md_date_us=1994-12
 +
| md_code_us=T-93046
 +
| md_rating_us=ga
 
}}
 
}}
−
'''''ESPN Sunday Night NFL''''' is a 1994 American football game by [[Sony Imagesoft]], [[Ringler Studios]], and [[Absolute Entertainment]] for various platforms, including the [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Sega Mega CD]], released exclusively in the United States.
+
{{releasesMCD
 +
| mcd_date_us=1994-11{{magref|egm|65|254}}
 +
| mcd_code_us=T-93105
 +
| mcd_rating_us=ka
 +
}}
 +
| otherformats={{NonSega|SNES}}
 +
| savetype={{SaveType
 +
|MD|battery
 +
|MCD|internal
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is a 1994 American football game by [[Sony Imagesoft]], [[Ringler Studios]], and [[Absolute Entertainment]] for various platforms, including the [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Sega Mega-CD]], released exclusively in the United States. It is named after the ''[[wikipedia:ESPN Sunday Night Football|Sunday Night Football]]'' television program that aired on the American television channel [[ESPN]].
 +
 
 +
The game has an [[NFL]] license, so real teams and logos are present, but it does not have an [[NFLPA|Players Association]] license, so the names of the players are not used.
 +
 
 +
Both versions of the game are hosted by sportscaster [[wikipedia:Chris Berman|Chris Berman]], who appears as digitized voice samples on the Mega Drive version and [[full-motion video]] on the Mega-CD version. The Mega-CD version additionally has commentary by [[wikipedia:Mike Patrick|Mike Patrick]].
 +
 
 +
==Gameplay==
 +
The game is an NFL football game, featuring all 28 teams, and supporting one or two players. It uses an isometric field projection. As in other football games, the player must run, pass, and kick a ball across a regulation field spanning 100 yards in order to score points. Players can have full control over the team during plays or can choose to "coach" and only pick plays, with the computer executing them. Weather conditions can be fair, rain, or snow.
 +
 
 +
Before a match, players can toggle the delay of game penalty (whether players are limited to 40 seconds to pick a play before a penalty is incurred), toggle pass interference (whether the pass interference penalty, where a defensive player interferes with an offensive player receiving a pass, is called), and set the length of each quarter (5, 10, or 15 minutes, with a default of 15 minutes). Players can also decide whether to have "realistic" or "even" team skills, to try to realistically represent each team's strengths and weaknesses or to have a more fair game. Each team is rated on running, passing, defense, and kicking, and some teams play better on different types of field (grass or turf).
 +
 
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Coin Toss
 +
| screenshot=ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Coin Toss 1.png
 +
| screenshot2=ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Coin Toss 2.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=At the beginning of the game, the away team chooses heads ({{A}}) or tails ({{B}}) and the referee tosses a coin. The winner of the coin toss can choose to kick ({{A}}) or receive ({{B}}). The kicking team begins the game on defense, and the receiving team begins the game on offense.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Kick-Off
 +
| screenshot=ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Kick-Off 1.png
 +
| screenshot2=ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Kick-Off 2.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=A kick-off occurs at the beginning of a set of downs or during a conversion play after a touchdown. The kicking team can choose between three types of kick: a deep kick is the furthest and highest, maximizing the distance that the receiving team has to run the ball; a squib kick is short and low, making it easy for the kicking team to surround the receiving team; and an onside kick is a short kick meant to make it easy for the kicking team to regain possession of the ball (but risking giving the receiving team an excellent field position).
 +
 
 +
Kicking the ball is similar to a golf game, where a cursor moves up and down a track, and the player must press {{B}} to stop it at the desired point. The first segment of the track determines the power of the kick, and the second segment of the track determines the direction.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Playbook
 +
| screenshot=ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Playbook.png
 +
| screenshot2=ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Audible.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Both teams huddle at the start of each down to choose a formation and then a play from the playbook (using {{A}}, {{B}}, or {{C}} to choose the desired row or column). The defensive team's selections are on the top, with {{left}} and {{right}} switching between the two pages. The offensive team's selections are on the bottom, with the row selected first and then the column.
 +
 
 +
After choosing their plays, the teams meet in formation at the line of scrimmage. During this time and before the snap, either team can call audibles using {{A}}, {{B}}, and {{C}}. This allows the team to change its play (but not its formation), either in response to the opposing team's formation or to deliberately confuse the other player, with the buttons corresponding to the same buttons used to select a play from the playbook. The play chosen is not shown when calling an audible, so the other player cannot see it. The offensive team can choose "No Huddle" to keep the formation from the previous down and choose the play from the field.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Defense
 +
| screenshot=ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Defense, Tackle.png
 +
| desc=On defense, the team must try to prevent the offensive team from scoring field goals or touchdowns and to try to intercept the ball to gain possession.
 +
 
 +
After the snap, the D-Pad moves the active player (which is indicated by a circle around him). The active player can be changed to the one who is closest to the ball by pressing {{A}}. The player can be given a speed boost by holding {{B}}. The player can dive or tackle with {{C}}. Running into the opposing player with the ball also tackles him.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Offense
 +
| screenshot=ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Offense, Pass.png
 +
| screenshot2=ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Offense, Running.png
 +
| screenshot3=ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Offense, Touchdown.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=On offense, the team has four downs (plays) in which to move the ball 10 yards down the field toward the opposing team's end zone. If successful, the team keeps possession of the ball receives another set of four downs; otherwise, the opposing team receives possession of the ball. On the fourth down, the player can choose to attempt a field goal (if close enough) or punt the ball to the defending team.
 +
 
 +
At the start of the down, the center hikes the ball to the quarterback with {{B}}. Then the quarterback is moved with the D-Pad, activates the receivers with {{B}}, and throws the ball with {{B}} again. The running back moves automatically to try to catch the ball, but the player can use the D-Pad to take manual control. If the player fails to catch the ball, the pass is incomplete and the team gains no yards for the down. Otherwise, the D-Pad moves the player with possession of the ball (which is indicated by a circle around him). The player can be given a speed boost by holding {{B}}. The active player can spin with {{A}} to try to evade other players or dive to the ground with {{C}} to gain additional yards at the end of the play.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Modes===
 +
The game has the following modes, which can be played by one or two players:
 +
 
 +
*'''Single Game:''' A single match between any two teams (which can be the same team).
 +
*'''1994 Season:''' A season of 17 regular games followed by four rounds of playoffs, with the same season schedule as the [[wikipedia:1994 NFL season|1994 NFL season]]. The game saves the player's progress to a [[battery backup]] in the Mega Drive version or the console's internal memory in the Mega-CD version. Games not involving the player's chosen team have their outcomes decided by the computer.
 +
*'''Random Season:''' A season of 17 regular games followed by four rounds of playoffs, with a randomized season schedule. Player progress for this mode is saved in the same way as the 1994 season mode. The player has the option to watch the computer play out the games not involving the player's chosen team.
 +
*'''Playoffs:''' Skips the regular season games and plays the four rounds of playoff games, culminating in the Super Bowl. Player progress is saved in the same way as the season games, and the player can watch the computer play out the games not involving the player's chosen team.
 +
 
 +
===Teams===
 +
{{#vardefine:logodate|1994}}{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSTable
 +
| divisions=yes
 +
| adiv1=East
 +
| adiv2=Central
 +
| adiv3=West
 +
| ndiv1=East
 +
| ndiv2=Central
 +
| ndiv3=West
 +
|
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Buffalo Bills
 +
| division=adiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Indianapolis Colts
 +
| division=adiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Miami Dolphins
 +
| division=adiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=New England Patriots
 +
| division=adiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=New York Jets
 +
| division=adiv1
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Cincinnati Bengals
 +
| division=adiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Cleveland Browns
 +
| division=adiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Houston Oilers
 +
| division=adiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Pittsburgh Steelers
 +
| division=adiv2
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Denver Broncos
 +
| division=adiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Kansas City Chiefs
 +
| division=adiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Los Angeles Raiders
 +
| division=adiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=San Diego Chargers
 +
| division=adiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Seattle Seahawks
 +
| division=adiv3
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Dallas Cowboys
 +
| division=ndiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=New York Giants
 +
| division=ndiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Philadelphia Eagles
 +
| division=ndiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Phoenix Cardinals
 +
| division=ndiv1
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Washington Redskins
 +
| division=ndiv1
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Chicago Bears
 +
| division=ndiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Detroit Lions
 +
| division=ndiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Green Bay Packers
 +
| division=ndiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Minnesota Vikings
 +
| division=ndiv2
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 +
| division=ndiv2
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Atlanta Falcons
 +
| division=ndiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=Los Angeles Rams
 +
| division=ndiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=New Orleans Saints
 +
| division=ndiv3
 +
}}
 +
{{AmericanFootballTeamsUSRow
 +
| team=San Francisco 49ers
 +
| division=ndiv3
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Production credits==
 +
===Mega Drive version===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
{{creditsheader|[[Ringler Studios]]}}
 +
*'''Executive Producer:''' Ed Ringler
 +
*'''Senior Technical Director:''' Chris Oke
 +
*'''Assistant Technical Director:''' Doug Mackall
 +
*'''Programming:''' Chris Oke, Doug Mackall, John Bartak, Arthur Donavan, Andrew Tuck, Richard Gardner, Dave Castelnuovo, Lee Romans
 +
*'''Playbook AI:''' John Bartak, Andrew Tuck
 +
*'''Game Design:''' Ed Ringler, Dave Castelnuovo, Chris Oke, John Bartak, Doug Mackall
 +
*'''Playbook Design:''' John Bartak, Ed Ringler
 +
*'''Audio Supervisor:''' Doug Mackall
 +
*'''Art Director:''' Ed Ringler
 +
*'''Graphics:''' Gary Platner, Klee Miller, Philippe Buttet
 +
*'''Additional Graphics:''' Chris Oke, Ed Ringler, Doug Mackall, Michael Gates, Duane Stinnet, Brian Fire
 +
*'''Product Concept by:''' Ed Ringler, Chris Oke, John Bartak, Doug Mackall
 +
*'''Special Thanks:''' Bill Johnson, Lyndah Logston, Dustin Howard
 +
{{creditsheader|[[Sony Imagesoft]]}}
 +
*'''Executive Producer:''' Rich Robinson
 +
*'''Producers:''' Daniel Meade, Allan Becker
 +
*'''Testers:''' Andrew Leighton, Jody Kelsey, Bruce Cochrane, Jose Cruz, Tobin Russell, Seth Luisi
 +
{{creditsheader|[[Absolute Entertainment]]}}
 +
*'''Technical Director:''' Roger Booth
 +
*'''Audio Director:''' Mark Van Hecke
 +
*'''Music and FX:''' Jim Wallace, Steve Melillo
 +
*'''Product Concept by:''' Alex Demeo, Bill Jannott, Mike Sullivan, Robert Prescott
 +
*'''Special Thanks to:''' Garry Kitchen, James Charne, Carol Albert
 +
{{creditsheader|[[ESPN]]}}
 +
*'''Executive Producers:''' Steve Bornstein, Ed Durso, Dick Glover, Tom Hagopian, Jim Noel, John Wildhack, Fred Gaudelli
 +
*'''Special Thanks:''' Chris Berman, Mike Patrick
 +
| source=In-game credits
 +
| pdf=ESPN Sunday Night NFL MD credits.pdf
 +
| console=MD
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
===Mega-CD version===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
{{creditsheader|[[Ringler Studios]]}}
 +
*'''Executive Producer:''' Ed Ringler
 +
*'''Senior Technical Director:''' Chris Oke
 +
*'''Assistant Technical Director:''' Doug Mackall
 +
*'''Programming:''' Chris Oke, Doug Mackall, John Bartak, Arthur Donavan, Andrew Tuck, Richard Gardner, Dave Castelnuovo, Lee Romans
 +
*'''Playbook AI:''' John Bartak, Andrew Tuck
 +
*'''Game Design:''' Ed Ringler, Dave Castelnuovo, Chris Oke, John Bartak, Doug Mackall
 +
*'''Playbook Design:''' John Bartak, Ed Ringler
 +
*'''Audio Supervisor:''' Doug Mackall
 +
*'''Art Director:''' Ed Ringler
 +
*'''Graphics:''' Gary Platner, Klee Miller, Philippe Buttet
 +
*'''Additional Graphics:''' Chris Oke, Ed Ringler, Doug Mackall, Michael Gates, Duane Stinnet, Brian Fire
 +
*'''Product Concept by:''' Ed Ringler, Chris Oke, John Bartak, Doug Mackall
 +
*'''Special Thanks:''' Bill Johnson, Lyndah Logston, Dustin Howard
 +
{{creditsheader|[[Sony Imagesoft]]}}
 +
*'''Executive Producer:''' Rich Robinson
 +
*'''Producers:''' Daniel Meade, Allan Becker
 +
*'''Testers:''' Andrew Leighton, Jody Kelsey, Bruce Cochrane, Jose Cruz, Tobin Russell, Seth Luisi, Kurt Schwengel, C.J. Cannoy
 +
{{creditsheader|[[Absolute Entertainment]]}}
 +
*'''Technical Director:''' Roger Booth
 +
*'''Director of System Software:''' Rick Booth
 +
*'''System Programming:''' Dennis Benson, Dave Minogue
 +
*'''Video Programming:''' John Shen
 +
*'''Audio Director:''' Mark Van Hecke
 +
*'''Music and FX:''' Jim Wallace, Steve Melillo
 +
*'''Product Concept by:''' Alex Demeo, Bill Jannott, Mike Sullivan, Robert Prescott
 +
*'''Special Thanks to:''' Garry Kitchen, James Charne, Carol Albert
 +
{{creditsheader|[[ESPN]]}}
 +
*'''Executive Producers:''' Steve Bornstein, Ed Durso, Dick Glover, Tom Hagopian, Jim Noel, John Wildhack, Fred Gaudelli
 +
*'''Special Thanks:''' Chris Berman, Mike Patrick
 +
{{creditsheader|NFL Films}}
 +
*'''Special Thanks:''' Sheila Bumgarner
 +
| source=In-game credits
 +
| pdf=ESPN Sunday Night NFL MCD credits.pdf
 +
| console=MCD
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 
 +
==Promotional material==
 +
{{gallery
 +
|{{GalleryPrintAd
 +
|gamepro|64|27-33
 +
|egm2|5|217
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Physical scans==
 +
===Mega Drive version===
 +
{{ratings|MD}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=US
 +
| front=ESPNSundayNightNFL MD US Box.jpg
 +
| cart=ESPNSNNFL MD US Cart.jpg
 +
| manual=ESPN Sunday Night NFL MD US Manual.pdf
 +
| poster=ESPNSundayNightNFL MD US Poster Front.jpg
 +
| posterback=ESPNSundayNightNFL MD US Poster Back.jpg
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Mega-CD version===
 +
{{ratings|MCD}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega-CD
 +
| region=US
 +
| front=ESPNSundayNightNFL MCD US Box Front.jpg
 +
| back=ESPNSundayNightNFL MCD US Box Back.jpg
 +
| disc=ESPNSundayNightNFL MCD US Disc.jpg
 +
| manual=Espnsundaynightnfl mcd us manual.pdf
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Technical information==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
  
−
[[Category:Mega Drive Games]]
+
{{ESPNSundayNightNFLOmni}}
−
[[Category:1994 Mega Drive Games]]
+
{{ESPN}}
−
[[Category:Mega Drive Sports Games]]
 
−
[[Category:Mega CD Games]]
 
−
[[Category:1994 Mega CD Games]]
 
−
[[Category:Mega CD Sports Games]]
 

Latest revision as of 23:11, 3 July 2024

n/a

ESPNSundayNightNFL title.png

ESPN Sunday Night NFL
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD
Publisher: Sony Electronic Publishing
Developer:
Licensor: ESPN, National Football League, Team NFL
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Sports (American football)

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		T-93046
Videogame Rating Council: GA
Sega Mega-CD
US 		T-93105
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Non-Sega versions
No results

ESPN Sunday Night NFL is a 1994 American football game by Sony Imagesoft, Ringler Studios, and Absolute Entertainment for various platforms, including the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Mega-CD, released exclusively in the United States. It is named after the Sunday Night Football television program that aired on the American television channel ESPN.

The game has an NFL license, so real teams and logos are present, but it does not have an Players Association license, so the names of the players are not used.

Both versions of the game are hosted by sportscaster Chris Berman, who appears as digitized voice samples on the Mega Drive version and full-motion video on the Mega-CD version. The Mega-CD version additionally has commentary by Mike Patrick.

Gameplay

The game is an NFL football game, featuring all 28 teams, and supporting one or two players. It uses an isometric field projection. As in other football games, the player must run, pass, and kick a ball across a regulation field spanning 100 yards in order to score points. Players can have full control over the team during plays or can choose to "coach" and only pick plays, with the computer executing them. Weather conditions can be fair, rain, or snow.

Before a match, players can toggle the delay of game penalty (whether players are limited to 40 seconds to pick a play before a penalty is incurred), toggle pass interference (whether the pass interference penalty, where a defensive player interferes with an offensive player receiving a pass, is called), and set the length of each quarter (5, 10, or 15 minutes, with a default of 15 minutes). Players can also decide whether to have "realistic" or "even" team skills, to try to realistically represent each team's strengths and weaknesses or to have a more fair game. Each team is rated on running, passing, defense, and kicking, and some teams play better on different types of field (grass or turf).

ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Coin Toss 1.png

ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Coin Toss 2.png

  • ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Coin Toss 1.png

  • ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Coin Toss 2.png

Coin Toss
At the beginning of the game, the away team chooses heads (A) or tails (B) and the referee tosses a coin. The winner of the coin toss can choose to kick (A) or receive (B). The kicking team begins the game on defense, and the receiving team begins the game on offense.

ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Kick-Off 1.png

ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Kick-Off 2.png

  • ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Kick-Off 1.png

  • ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Kick-Off 2.png

Kick-Off
A kick-off occurs at the beginning of a set of downs or during a conversion play after a touchdown. The kicking team can choose between three types of kick: a deep kick is the furthest and highest, maximizing the distance that the receiving team has to run the ball; a squib kick is short and low, making it easy for the kicking team to surround the receiving team; and an onside kick is a short kick meant to make it easy for the kicking team to regain possession of the ball (but risking giving the receiving team an excellent field position).

Kicking the ball is similar to a golf game, where a cursor moves up and down a track, and the player must press B to stop it at the desired point. The first segment of the track determines the power of the kick, and the second segment of the track determines the direction.

ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Playbook.png

ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Audible.png

  • ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Playbook.png

  • ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Audible.png

Playbook
Both teams huddle at the start of each down to choose a formation and then a play from the playbook (using A, B, or C to choose the desired row or column). The defensive team's selections are on the top, with Left and Right switching between the two pages. The offensive team's selections are on the bottom, with the row selected first and then the column.

After choosing their plays, the teams meet in formation at the line of scrimmage. During this time and before the snap, either team can call audibles using A, B, and C. This allows the team to change its play (but not its formation), either in response to the opposing team's formation or to deliberately confuse the other player, with the buttons corresponding to the same buttons used to select a play from the playbook. The play chosen is not shown when calling an audible, so the other player cannot see it. The offensive team can choose "No Huddle" to keep the formation from the previous down and choose the play from the field.

ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Defense, Tackle.png

Defense
On defense, the team must try to prevent the offensive team from scoring field goals or touchdowns and to try to intercept the ball to gain possession.

After the snap, the D-Pad moves the active player (which is indicated by a circle around him). The active player can be changed to the one who is closest to the ball by pressing A. The player can be given a speed boost by holding B. The player can dive or tackle with C. Running into the opposing player with the ball also tackles him.

ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Offense, Pass.png

ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Offense, Running.png

ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Offense, Touchdown.png

  • ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Offense, Pass.png

  • ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Offense, Running.png

  • ESPN Sunday Night NFL CD, Offense, Touchdown.png

Offense
On offense, the team has four downs (plays) in which to move the ball 10 yards down the field toward the opposing team's end zone. If successful, the team keeps possession of the ball receives another set of four downs; otherwise, the opposing team receives possession of the ball. On the fourth down, the player can choose to attempt a field goal (if close enough) or punt the ball to the defending team.

At the start of the down, the center hikes the ball to the quarterback with B. Then the quarterback is moved with the D-Pad, activates the receivers with B, and throws the ball with B again. The running back moves automatically to try to catch the ball, but the player can use the D-Pad to take manual control. If the player fails to catch the ball, the pass is incomplete and the team gains no yards for the down. Otherwise, the D-Pad moves the player with possession of the ball (which is indicated by a circle around him). The player can be given a speed boost by holding B. The active player can spin with A to try to evade other players or dive to the ground with C to gain additional yards at the end of the play.

Modes

The game has the following modes, which can be played by one or two players:

  • Single Game: A single match between any two teams (which can be the same team).
  • 1994 Season: A season of 17 regular games followed by four rounds of playoffs, with the same season schedule as the 1994 NFL season. The game saves the player's progress to a battery backup in the Mega Drive version or the console's internal memory in the Mega-CD version. Games not involving the player's chosen team have their outcomes decided by the computer.
  • Random Season: A season of 17 regular games followed by four rounds of playoffs, with a randomized season schedule. Player progress for this mode is saved in the same way as the 1994 season mode. The player has the option to watch the computer play out the games not involving the player's chosen team.
  • Playoffs: Skips the regular season games and plays the four rounds of playoff games, culminating in the Super Bowl. Player progress is saved in the same way as the season games, and the player can watch the computer play out the games not involving the player's chosen team.

Teams

Conference Division Team Players
American East Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills
Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts
Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots New England Patriots
New York Jets New York Jets
Central Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns
Houston Oilers Houston Oilers
Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers
West Denver Broncos Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Raiders Los Angeles Raiders
San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers
Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks
National East Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles
Phoenix Cardinals Phoenix Cardinals
Washington Redskins Washington Redskins
Central Chicago Bears Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers
West Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons
Los Angeles Rams Los Angeles Rams
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints
San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Executive Producer: Ed Ringler
  • Senior Technical Director: Chris Oke
  • Assistant Technical Director: Doug Mackall
  • Programming: Chris Oke, Doug Mackall, John Bartak, Arthur Donavan, Andrew Tuck, Richard Gardner, Dave Castelnuovo, Lee Romans
  • Playbook AI: John Bartak, Andrew Tuck
  • Game Design: Ed Ringler, Dave Castelnuovo, Chris Oke, John Bartak, Doug Mackall
  • Playbook Design: John Bartak, Ed Ringler
  • Audio Supervisor: Doug Mackall
  • Art Director: Ed Ringler
  • Graphics: Gary Platner, Klee Miller, Philippe Buttet
  • Additional Graphics: Chris Oke, Ed Ringler, Doug Mackall, Michael Gates, Duane Stinnet, Brian Fire
  • Product Concept by: Ed Ringler, Chris Oke, John Bartak, Doug Mackall
  • Special Thanks: Bill Johnson, Lyndah Logston, Dustin Howard
  • Executive Producer: Rich Robinson
  • Producers: Daniel Meade, Allan Becker
  • Testers: Andrew Leighton, Jody Kelsey, Bruce Cochrane, Jose Cruz, Tobin Russell, Seth Luisi
  • Technical Director: Roger Booth
  • Audio Director: Mark Van Hecke
  • Music and FX: Jim Wallace, Steve Melillo
  • Product Concept by: Alex Demeo, Bill Jannott, Mike Sullivan, Robert Prescott
  • Special Thanks to: Garry Kitchen, James Charne, Carol Albert
  • Executive Producers: Steve Bornstein, Ed Durso, Dick Glover, Tom Hagopian, Jim Noel, John Wildhack, Fred Gaudelli
  • Special Thanks: Chris Berman, Mike Patrick
Source:
In-game credits
ESPN Sunday Night NFL MD credits.pdf
[2]

Mega-CD version

  • Executive Producer: Ed Ringler
  • Senior Technical Director: Chris Oke
  • Assistant Technical Director: Doug Mackall
  • Programming: Chris Oke, Doug Mackall, John Bartak, Arthur Donavan, Andrew Tuck, Richard Gardner, Dave Castelnuovo, Lee Romans
  • Playbook AI: John Bartak, Andrew Tuck
  • Game Design: Ed Ringler, Dave Castelnuovo, Chris Oke, John Bartak, Doug Mackall
  • Playbook Design: John Bartak, Ed Ringler
  • Audio Supervisor: Doug Mackall
  • Art Director: Ed Ringler
  • Graphics: Gary Platner, Klee Miller, Philippe Buttet
  • Additional Graphics: Chris Oke, Ed Ringler, Doug Mackall, Michael Gates, Duane Stinnet, Brian Fire
  • Product Concept by: Ed Ringler, Chris Oke, John Bartak, Doug Mackall
  • Special Thanks: Bill Johnson, Lyndah Logston, Dustin Howard
  • Executive Producer: Rich Robinson
  • Producers: Daniel Meade, Allan Becker
  • Testers: Andrew Leighton, Jody Kelsey, Bruce Cochrane, Jose Cruz, Tobin Russell, Seth Luisi, Kurt Schwengel, C.J. Cannoy
  • Technical Director: Roger Booth
  • Director of System Software: Rick Booth
  • System Programming: Dennis Benson, Dave Minogue
  • Video Programming: John Shen
  • Audio Director: Mark Van Hecke
  • Music and FX: Jim Wallace, Steve Melillo
  • Product Concept by: Alex Demeo, Bill Jannott, Mike Sullivan, Robert Prescott
  • Special Thanks to: Garry Kitchen, James Charne, Carol Albert
  • Executive Producers: Steve Bornstein, Ed Durso, Dick Glover, Tom Hagopian, Jim Noel, John Wildhack, Fred Gaudelli
  • Special Thanks: Chris Berman, Mike Patrick
NFL Films
  • Special Thanks: Sheila Bumgarner
Source:
In-game credits
ESPN Sunday Night NFL MCD credits.pdf
[3]

Magazine articles

Main article: ESPN Sunday Night NFL/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in GamePro (US) #64: "November 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • EGM² (US) #5: "November 1994" (1994-1x-xx)[4]
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[5]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
48
[6]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
58
[7]
Sega Mega Drive
 55
Based on
3 reviews

ESPN Sunday Night NFL

Mega Drive, US
ESPNSundayNightNFL MD US Box.jpg
Cover
ESPNSNNFL MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
ESPN Sunday Night NFL MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
ESPNSundayNightNFL MD US Poster Back.jpgESPNSundayNightNFL MD US Poster Front.jpg
Poster

Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Sega Mega-CD
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

ESPN Sunday Night NFL

Mega-CD, US
ESPNSundayNightNFL MCD US Box Back.jpgESPNSundayNightNFL MCD US Box Front.jpg
Cover
ESPNSundayNightNFL MCD US Disc.jpg
Disc
Espnsundaynightnfl mcd us manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: ESPN Sunday Night NFL/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 254
  2. ↑ File:ESPN Sunday Night NFL MD credits.pdf
  3. ↑ File:ESPN Sunday Night NFL MCD credits.pdf
  4. ↑ EGM², "November 1994" (US; 1994-1x-xx), page 217
  5. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 105
  6. ↑ GamePro, "December 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 220
  7. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 65


ESPN Sunday Night NFL

ESPNSundayNightNFL title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Development | Magazine articles | Reception | Region coding | Technical information


Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1994-11



ESPN-branded games for Sega systems or published by Sega
Sega Mega Drive
 ESPN Baseball Tonight (1994) | ESPN National Hockey Night (1994) ESPN Sunday Night NFL (1994) | ESPN Speedworld (1994)
Sega Mega-CD
 ESPN Baseball Tonight (1994) | ESPN National Hockey Night (1994) ESPN Sunday Night NFL (1994) | ESPN NBA Hangtime '95 (1994)
Sega Dreamcast
 ESPN International Track & Field (2000) | ESPN NBA 2Night (2000) | ESPN Baseball Tonight (unreleased) | ESPN Links Golf (unreleased)
Sony PlayStation 2
 ESPN College Hoops (2003) | ESPN NBA Basketball (2003) | ESPN NFL Football (2003) | ESPN NHL Hockey (2003) | ESPN College Hoops 2K5 (2004) | ESPN Major League Baseball (2004) | ESPN NBA 2K5 (2004) | ESPN NFL 2K5 (2004) | ESPN NHL 2K5 (2004)
Xbox
 ESPN College Hoops (2003) | ESPN NBA Basketball (2003) | ESPN NFL Football (2003) | ESPN NHL Hockey (2003) | ESPN College Hoops 2K5 (2004) | ESPN Major League Baseball (2004) | ESPN NBA 2K5 (2004) | ESPN NFL 2K5 (2004) | ESPN NHL 2K5 (2004)
Book
 Prima's Official Strategy Guide: ESPN NFL Football (2003) | Prima's Official Strategy Guide: ESPN NBA Basketball (2003) | ESPN NFL 2K5 Official Strategy Guide (2004) | ESPN NBA 2K5 Official Strategy Guide (2004)
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