Exploring Vectrex Game : Blitz! Action Football

Blitz! Action Football is one of the few sports games released for the Vectrex, bringing the thrill of American football to the vector-based console. The game manages to deliver an engaging football experience that challenges both solo players and competitive friends.

Interestingly, the game had different subtitles based on the region (American Football in Europe and Action Football in the U.S.), possibly due to licensing reasons, and was never released in Japan.

A Tactical Football Experience

Blitz! Action Football offers a simulation-style approach to American football, focusing on strategic play selection and execution. Players control one member of their team on offense and defense, with the goal of moving the ball up the field and reaching the opposition’s end zone.

• Four Downs System : Each team has four downs to move the ball ten yards forward. Failing to do so results in a turnover.
• Offensive Play : Players snap the ball within a 30-second play clock, then control the quarterback. The quarterback can either rush or pass. Though it’s difficult to aim precisely, there’s some fine control over the ball’s trajectory mid-air (mastering this can lead to satisfying curved passes around defenders). Running plays are smooth and intuitive, letting players dodge defenders using blockers.
• Defensive Play : On defense, the player controls a single defender who runs faster than teammates and is best suited for tackling the ball carrier.
• Scoring Options : Players can score via touchdowns or opt for a field goal attempt, which is worth fewer points.
• Penalties : Delay of game (not snapping in time) and offsides (crossing the line too early) result in a five-yard penalty.

In the absence of player input at launch, a brief “self-play” demo mode is triggered, where the CPU controls both teams. Players can still influence movement slightly with the joystick : this mode mainly serves as a passive demonstration or attract mode.

Single-Player Practice Mode

In one-player mode, the game serves primarily as a practice session. The player only plays on offense, while the AI-controlled team automatically punts or attempts field goals when it gains possession. Unfortunately, this means the player never gets to play defense in solo mode.. a curious omission, especially for those without a second controller.

Exciting Two-Player Mode

Blitz! truly shines in its two-player mode, where friends can compete head-to-head in a battle of wits and strategy. With both players selecting plays in secrecy, the game becomes a mental showdown, rewarding those who can predict their opponent’s moves. The competitive nature of two-player mode enhances replayability, making each match feel unique and unpredictable.

Graphics and Audio

As expected for a Vectrex game, Blitz! Action Football utilizes sharp vector graphics to depict the field, players, and ball movement. The minimalist design uses traditional symbols (X’s and O’s) to represent teams in a top-down view, echoing early playbook-style visuals from classic football diagrams. The sound effects, while basic, provide good feedback loop with electronic blips for passes, tackles, and scoring plays.

What Stands Out

A Unique Football Challenge

Blitz! Action Football is a fast, strategic, and competitive sports game that surprises on a system not known for sports titles. While it may not have the high-speed action of modern football games, its tactical gameplay offers a thrilling challenge for fans. Blitz! remains a standout example of how the Vectrex adapted genres to its unique hardware. It’s a fun and engaging experience that proves sports gaming can shine on the Vectrex.

For more, check out this fan unboxing video on YouTube :