Tecmo Bowl (1990)
Nintendo 3DS · 1990
About this game
The most popular American football game to hit the NES console, Tecmo Bowl pits the player vs. the computer in 11 game single-elimination playoff action, or you can go head-to-head with a human opponent in action or coach mode.
There are 12 teams of real NFL players (circa 1988) to choose from, but don't look for official NFL team logos or mascots like Bears or Dolphins--Tecmo Bowl has the NFLPA but not the NFL license.
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The play perspective is top-down and the screen scrolls horizontally.
Player graphics are large and colorful, which is made possible by limiting the number of players to nine per team.
Animated cut-scenes are shown following touchdowns and at half-time, and crowds are shown filling the endzone seats.
There are four plays to choose from on offense--usually two runs and two passes.
The player takes control of the quarterback before the snap and then either hands off to the running back or works through his receiver progression from the top to the bottom of the screen.
Defense consists of trying to guess which offensive play the opponent will select and then taking control of one of the defensive players before the snap.
A very simple power meter system is used for kicking field goals, extra points, and punts.
There are no game or season stats and there is no way to save your season, but there is a password feature allowing you to resume tournament play where you left off.
About Nintendo 3DS
The Nintendo 3DS (2011) added glasses-free stereoscopic 3D and a second analog input to Nintendo's handheld line, eventually building a library that rivaled the DS in size and quality. Because the eShop for digital purchases has since closed, physical 3DS cartridges are the only way to preserve access to many titles — a dynamic that's pushing more collectors toward cartridge-based copies even for games that were originally digital-first.
Gamevaro tracks Tecmo Bowl (1990) for Nintendo 3DS with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Tecmo Bowl (1990) to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This 3DS release dates back to 1990.
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
NTSC-J
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-11 | Loose / Item only | PAL | €14.58 |
| 2026-07-11 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €13.40 |
| 2026-07-11 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-J | €13.40 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Only a handful of market sales have been tracked for Tecmo Bowl (1990), suggesting it doesn't trade hands very often — a sign of relative scarcity compared to more common Nintendo 3DS titles.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Tecmo Bowl (1990) worth?
Tecmo Bowl (1990) for Nintendo 3DS is currently worth €14.58 loose. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Tecmo Bowl (1990) rare?
Tecmo Bowl (1990) has only a handful of tracked market sales, suggesting relative scarcity compared to more common Nintendo 3DS titles.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Tecmo Bowl (1990)?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. These are tracked as separate market values because the price gap between them can be significant, especially for older releases.
Is Tecmo Bowl (1990) worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Tecmo Bowl (1990) is currently worth €14.58 loose, versus €13.40 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
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