If you’re a fan of the NFL, then you’re probably familiar with EA’s Madden series, which has been the only game in town for what feels like forever. Sadly, EA’s series has skipped the Switch entirely, which means unless you have a PS4 or Xbox One, you’re missing out on all that lovely gridiron action.
It wasn’t always that way, though. Back in the ‘90s and early ‘00s, there were several challengers which all benefitted from the official NFL licence, and that meant a lot more variety across all hardware platforms.
One of those franchises was the superb NFL 2K series, which began life on the Sega Dreamcast. It lasted until ESPN NFL 2K5 in 2004, after which point EA locked down the NFL licence in a deal with prevented any other company from using it – which is why we’re at the point we are now, with no real rival to the Madden series (original NFL 2K developer Visual Concepts would make a short-lived return to the arena with All-Pro Football 2K8, but it could only use retired players and fictional teams).
Things are about to change, however. 2K Sports has announced that it has inked a new multi-year deal with the NFL that will allow it to produce “multiple future video games” based on the sport, all backed by the official NFL licence.
Before you get too excited, however, it’s worth noting that the deal only covers “non-simulation football game experiences”, which means that a NFL 2K revival isn’t on the cards. Instead, ”multiple video games centered on fun, approachable and social experiences” are the order of the day, hinting that we could see arcade-style titles like NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 or NFL Blitz. Given the casual, light-hearted nature of these games – and 2K’s historic support of the console – you’d have to imagine that they’re coming to Switch.
The games aren’t expected until 2021, and 2K Sports hasn’t stated which of its internal studios will be working on them. Visual Concepts currently oversees the NBA 2K franchise, and recently took on the WWE licence, with disastrous results.
[source polygon.com]
Comments 43
I'd be cool with a new NFL blitz or something along those lines. I still fire up blitz on my 64 every so often.
Nice to hear that there can be more NFL games out there.
I would look forward to see a Nintendo NFL game though with or without power-ups.
Arcade Style sports game only? That doesn't seem like much of a bad thing. The opposite really. (EA really needs to let go on the Momeopolization on sports games. The world will be much better off for it,)
On the one hand, seeing arcade style sports games that isn't Mario (no hard feelings, Mr plumber.) making a return brings a smile to my face.
On the other hand, it's being helmed by 2K "You got basketball in my casino!" Games.
Approaching this with cautious optimism.
I would love a nfl blitz type game. I don’t like the sport but that sounds fun. Never. Understood why EA was allowed to strangle the industry.
License fees are probably why those licensed sports games charge AAA price and have cash grab systems.
NFL Blitz would be great... and my 11 year old nephew will be SO excited... we still play the most recent version on my PS3 when he is over.
Nope. Playgrounds 2 became a cash grab after they removed the way to unlock all players and 2K proceeded to tell players who paid to unlock everything lost their players due to a glitch that there's nothing that could be done to fix it...
Yes please. Madden is way too bogged down with simulation. I can't stand playing a modern Madden. It's frustrating, same with modern NBA simulation games. It's frustrating. I hope they make a great FUN football game.
@holygeez03 @NintendoByNature It won't be Blitz in name since EA owns the Blitz name.
Just give us Madden, please.
Sports simulators suck anyway.
@Wilforce So customers who bought content for the game lost said content and have to purchase it again to use it?
@NintendoByNature It would be cool but NFL's culture has changed to where they are moving away from highlighting the violence of the sport especially after the lawsuits surrounding CTE. I am very interested in learning more about what they plan to do with the license I imagine it will be a mix of NFL street and Blitz with power ups added. The structure will likely give them the option to add micro-transactions as well. Since they don't own Blitz or Street their options are limited.
I was expecting 2K to team up with the new XFL instead of the NFL
@DrDaisy In Playgrounds 2 they had the option to purchase all unlockable characters for 10 USD. They removed that option some time last July/August. Players reported losing their characters due to an unidentified glitch, contacted support, and were advised that because the purchase all option is no longer available there was nothing that could be done. It sounds like the purchases are stored locally and if something happens to the save file there's no way to reverse it and the support team has no way to track unlocks.
Arcade football is all that I want. A new NFL blitz would be a first day purchase!
@Wilforce That still sound like the company ripped its customers off.
It should have both. It is year 4.
People who want Arcade have something - Sim has something. Like Every other platform I own.
I'm glad to hear that we can have games like NFL Blitz again, the Madden NFL milking were stupidly boring.
@Agramonte So do you incessantly point out the shortcomings of all those other systems you own on fan sites dedicated to them, or just Nintendo systems here? I'm curious what the extent of your tiresomeness is.
A Mario NFL game would be amazing. Make it happen 2K.
NBA Playground 2 was fun and a football game like that I would be for. I know unlocking characters is a pain but that never bothered me as I just played with the ones I had
@Mrillustrates @Tasuki I meant something like a blitz would be cool. Good point, I'm sure they can do something to make it acceptable.
@Wilforce took me 40 hours but I unlocked everyone in playgrounds 2
NFL Playgrounds sounds very likely now.
NBA Playgrounds is a poor arcade basketball game though.
I absolutely love NFL Blitz and NHL Hitz and would gladly see proper new entries in those franchises. That said, like many others, I am kinda sick of the current attitude to sports games where the focus of 2K and EA seems to be more on microtransactions than the sports themselves.
Hope it turns out well. I miss the arcade extreme sports craze of the early 00's.
@PanurgeJr I do not have to. This is all pretty much basic stuff.
Only other platform I use where things are this much of a mess is GeFroce NOW. And there Publishers like EA and Activision are literally trying to sink it. Nvidia has actually put up an entire section for everyone to say what games are missing and what "shortcomings" the platform has.
@Gerbwmu I thought it was kind of fun to unlock characters as you go. Didnt bother me either.
Let's be realistic here. Anything that EA makes will be a micro transaction riddled mess. Let a good series stay dead so that it's name doesn't get tarnished. And I say that about any game series that's in a simular boat.
I just want madden
This sounds way better than a Madden game
Man! I wonder if Tecmo Bowl/SuperBowl could count as a more arcade experience? That would be great.
This is the company that ruined Playgrounds 2 and created the monstrosity that was WWE 2K18. They were will need to work HARD to regain my trust.
@Wilforce I'm not sure what you're referring to, I have NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 on my switch and my son has it on his Switch.
I paid the $10 to unlock everyone because I don't have enough free time to do it the old fashioned way, and all my players remained unlocked.
My son decided to unlock all characters by playing a bunch and slowly collecting the in game currency and he didn't have any issues with it
That have is SUPER FUN IN! I can't wait to see what they do with football
@DrDaisy I don't know what he's talking about it. We have 2 switches and a copy of NBA Playgrounds 2 on each... No problems
@leo13 It's an issue affecting some players. It doesn't affect everyone and there's no indication on what causes it. Players reported this is on discord and Reddit with little response from the devs and support. Glad you're having fun.
@ReWane
#greed is all I see here lol
I'd prefer a new (well-made) simulation game, but this is better than no American football games at all on the Switch.
I still would like to know how the all-console requirement for Madden got dropped. Of course, EA would put out Madden Classic, it would look like a Sega Genesis title, and then it would declare that no one would buy the game on the Switch.
Would love a NFL Blitz style game on Switch. I’d prefer a fully featured Madden but I think a really good arcade football game would be right on home on Switch and probably appeal better to it’s demographic.
@Aeleron0X Probably waiting to see if the XFL can sustain itself for more than one season.
@cdog555 @aeleron0x
Cdog I agree with you and aeleron0x thats a good idea because I've always thought xfl could pick up on some of the things nfl slacks in and can make a name for themselves. Even thought I cant lie just love football in general college,afl,cfl hell as long as its football I love it. Also switch just needs more sports games in general I'm tired of mutant football league already lol
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