By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
The NFL and Arcade1Up have officially launched NFL Blitz Legends, a home arcade machine featuring three remastered titles from the NFL Blitz game franchise.
“Working with Arcade1Up to revive NFL Blitz allows a new wave of fans to enjoy the iconic franchise while also giving existing fans the chance to experience the classic game they grew to love in the ’90s,” said Ed Kiang, VP of Video Gaming at the NFL. “The remastered NFL Blitz Legends gameplay offers fans an authentic football experience brought to life by hundreds of NFL Legends.”
Arcade1Up is a computer hardware production brand that specializes in ¾-scale home arcade machines featuring licensed retro games. The Arcade1Up brand is owned by Tastemakers LLC.
The NFL Blitz Legends arcade machine will include remastered versions of NFL Blitz, NFL Blitz ‘99 and NFL Blitz 2000: Gold Edition. NFL Blitz Legends modernizes the gameplay with online multiplayer competition and live leaderboards.
Arcade1Up’s NFL Blitz Legends home arcade machine has a 49-way joystick and 17-inch screen with a light-up marquee and a branded riser. NFL Blitz Legends also features the retro NFL football team logos and uniforms.
In collaboration with the Football Greats Alliance (FGA), hundreds of past NFL players are featured in the arcade game system. These players include Dan Marino, Jerry Rice, Deion Sanders, Jerome Bettis, Terrell Davis, Cris Carter, and more.
Marino and Bettis also took part in the launch of the new machine, playing a giant, 16-foot high version at a live event (photo at top).
“I love the game of football in any form and video games are definitely something I enjoy in my downtime with friends and family,” said Davis, NFL Legend and former Denver Broncos running back. “NFL Blitz Legends is bringing football back to the golden era of the 1990s, and I am honored to be featured alongside many other greats. I can’t wait to compete live to see who’ll come out on top!”
The FGA is responsible for managing the collective licensing and marketing rights of former NFL Players across all categories, and is owned by the global sports, events and talent management company, IMG.
“Partnering with the NFL to modernize the iconic NFL Blitz franchise was a dream come true,” said Scott Bachrach, CEO of Arcade1Up.
“We are so pleased with the way this machine came to fruition – from working with the NFL on all aspects of the game and the FGA to ensure the game’s greatest were included, to challenging our in-house team to recreate the legendary 49-way joystick. We can’t wait for both old and new players to experience it.”
NFL Blitz Legends is currently available for purchase on the official Arcade1Up website, as well as in-store and online at select retail partners. The launch of the co-branded arcade machine was timed to coincide with the 2022 NFL season and the 25th anniversary of the original NFL Blitz game.
