Slowtaps McGee

Absolutely! Mort's Tecmo College and now Leif's vids are clutch. Thanks!

Yes, someone would definitely be trapped with someone who still can't stop the T Power Dive! The videos Leif posted are great intermediate vids BTW. That drive to SD would almost be worth it. Thanks for the reply!

Hi all, I put together a pretty amateurish tsb tourney annually, the night before the SB. We're talking default playbooks here. Lots of close friends. Otherwise, we use Madison rules. We've all been around the game forever, but are casual enthusiasts Vs all of your impressive mastery of tsb. Regardless, I want to win! If anyone in the area is interested in a meet-up for the sake of 'training' me, let me know. I got a cool $50 bill for anyone interested. Thanks!

These are great. Much appreciated!

Hi everybody, I read the following article the day of Tecmo XII: http://www.polygon.com/2016/2/20/11077626/tecmo-madison-last-tournament-tribute-chet-josh-holzbauer For those that also read it, although I don't agree with the notion that a h2h sports game could ever be "beat", the point is well taken that you top guys have this thing figured out COMPLETELY. And, the article made it seem (or just reflected) that maybe tournament play is getting stale/predictable for some of you top guys. It made me think, has anyone ever done or thought about doing live tournaments based on the outstanding yearly ROMs that are released? Apologies if I've missed discussions on this in the past, but this would keep things fresh from year to year, and kind of be an answer to some of the points made in the article about the game being "beat" so to speak. Thanks guys, I'm a fan of this community.

I'm thinking the noobishness would lend to these wide open tiers working for some fun matchups, taking all the comments into account. With y'all who are really good, I can see really drilling down and splitting hiers (see what I did there, wonk wonk), but luck may work in so much here that I think we can go wide open. But, I have to put those last three at the bottom, It seems like the clearest line to draw to my novice eyes. I can just see a Dal, Cle, or GB crushing the bottom three. I think I'll roll with this unless anyone comments on some big time flaws. Tier 1: SF, Hou, NYG, Det, Chi, Rai, Phi, Buf, KC, Mia Tier 2: TB, Was, Rams, Cin, Atl, NYJ, Pit, Den, SD, Min Tier 3: Dal, NO, Phx, Cle, GB, Tier 4: Sea, NE, Ind

Curious, the way things could be shaping up, could you guys actually consider Phi a tier 1 stock team, and Buf possibly a tier 2? Maybe I'll put both of them in tier 1. SF always screws things up for me. If I close my left eye and just see Hou, NYG, Buf, Phi- it looks ok. In a general sense, QB Eagles is sooo dangerous, could you see picking them in a SF-Phi matchup? I know this type of conversation doesn't happen here a lot, but I find it interesting nonetheless to see how you guys think of these tiers with stock PBs.

Again, I like it. Interesting it seems you thought the superior PBs of the Little 3 (NE, Sea, Ind) allow them back in with what I would consider clearly more talented teams in tier 5. Also, from a more novice point of view, it seems like I could maybe go a little more parabolic with the talent here. Maybe go big 3 top, little 3 bottom..and bigger tiers in the middle. Tier 3 is large, but I don't have the experience to see the difference in those teams so much. Your tier 3 piques my interest. I'm so used to seeing a KC or a Mia clearly above TB, Was, and Rams. If I were to incorporate that with your suggestions, it would look like the following: Tier 1: SF, Hou, NYG, Tier 2: Det, Chi, Rai, Phi, Buf, KC, Mia Tier 3: TB, Was, Rams, Cin, Atl, NYJ, Pit, Den, SD, Min Tier 4: Dal, NO, Phx, Cle, GB, Tier:5 Sea, NE, Ind Do you see any gross matchup opportunities using these tiers? Appreciate your suggestions!

I like it, Buck. Especially making the last tier for that special kind of horseshi* that is Sea, Ind, NE. It feels odd putting Det with the top teams, but I guess they have a good playbook, top RB, Scrambley QB, and solid D. Cin is tough for me because I don't care for that playbook. I may want to leave them in tier 3, I'm going to think about that one.

That is a valid option. However, as lame as it may seem to some current competitive experts, this group is as much about the nostalgia factor as it is competition. So, I like the plug n play aspect of just picking a team and getting after it. It may seem like a minor detail to some, but taking the time to set up playbooks can take a little of that nostalgic flair out of it for some, imo. But, thank you for all of your suggestions. It seems maybe the tiers are good enough as is, with a possible Phx-NO swap.

Well, then maybe I don't like the swap That Phx playbook is just soo bad, even this noob can tell that. But I guess Lonnie and John John keep them afloat?

Interesting. We are all nothing compared to the studs here, but we've all played, and we know the GENERAL strengths of each team. But, no one knows (or can effectively use) advanced techniques like which defenders to use on which diagnosed plays, calculating catch %, or triggering jj int's, etc. I just want to avoid big mismatches between two average dudes in a given matchup. I like the Phx swap with NO. Thanks!

So I was wondering, I am holding a noobish tournament with some old friends the night before the Super Bowl. Low $takes, and most haven't played in years. I definitely like the "Madison" style of picking matchups. The thing is, I don't want a couple of the guys researching and changing to money playbooks while some are there just to have some fun (and would be intimidated in a friendly setting). However, I do want to have tiers available for all us noobs to pick fair matchups. The question is, how would factoring in stock playbooks affect tiers in your professional opinion(s)? Here is how I have the tiers currently, let me know where you might shift teams knowing they'd have stock playbooks... Tier 1: SF, Hou, NYG, Buf Tier 2: Phi, Rai, Chi, KC, Mia Tier 3: Den, SD, Cin, Rams, Det, Was, Min Tier 4: Dal, Phx, Pit, NYJ, Atl, TB Tier 5: NO, Sea, NE, Ind, Cle, GB Thanks in advance for any opinions!

I missed whatever commotion and hubbub caused the "Great Wall of Buck's ROMs and Updates" to come crumbling down...but as one of the "thousands" MGK has mentioned (and who usually just lurk), the JOY this ROM brings is hard to measure on a board like this. THANK YOU for reposting it! Just thank lord. Seriously.

Just won the Super Bowl with the Titans v GB! Final Score 28-23. What a rewarding season. The ROM is so challenging that winning it all gives me great satisfaction- genuine excitement as I've said before. Thanks to Buck and Knobbe.org for creating this magical place and keeping TSB alive! If this sounds like an awards acceptance speech then it's probably because I just won the Super Bowl on Buck's ROM. I am going to try the week 6 version, and try to win it without leaning on CJ all the time when I need to. I just had to use ANY means necessary to win games on this ROM, but with a title under my belt I need to add that next element and be a little more balanced about things. Quick synopsis: went 11-4 with a Wild Card berth before rolling thru playoffs and winning the SB. I had a very obvious CJ based attack and racked up 2900+ yards on the ground and 300+ receiving. Games were VERY offensive, as both MAN and COM D's had a tough time stopping anyone. I VERY humbly only offer a general critique that just as I strive for balance in my gameplay, maybe in some way future ROMs can be created to make the overall OFF and DEF gameplay more balanced. This is NOT a complaint because this ROM is a freakin' blast. It might not even be possible, as the other ROMs have not found ANY way to present a 1p challenge such as this.

Haha, i took your advice, cheerleader. Pissing clear, played the AFC championship before this Vikes-Pack game. The result! Felt like I was 11 years old again, so anxious going against the steel curtain. Let me just say, I was in the zone on offense. Conservative gameplan, CJ went for 194, and made some key (lucky?) stops on D. Score: Titans 41, Steelers 20. I'M GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL BABY! Buck your rom is the most fun I've had gaming in years. My PS1,2,and 3 do not rival this excitement. Man this has been a battle of a season when every game is a challenge...it's going to be devastating if I lose, but oh so awesome if I win!

I'm pumped! I am going to be in the AFC Championship, no resets or re-dos. This rom keeps me on the edge of my seat, and is very difficult. If I didn't have CJ I don't know if I would be doing this well. I just beat Buf in the 2nd round game and he had 322 to Fred Jackson's 294. I am winning on pure offense (and luck), as it is hard to stop ANYTHING the COM wants to do on O at this point. Almost every pass is completed regardless of single or double coverage, and the run game is nearly impossible to stop- good thing they can't stop me either! Waiting to play the latest version after this season ends. Wish me luck..I will need it.

Just checking in to let you know I'm pretty proud to be 8-2 right now in my Titans season. It is getting crazy, as the com offense is nuts for about the last two weeks. They complete EVERYTHING, no matter the coverage, and as hard as it is to stop the run, it's magnified now. It is a great challenge and a LOT OF FUN! At this arc I don't see how I can win a Super Bowl. How does the 'I' part of the com's ai work (practically) in this rom? Thanks again.

Hey Buck, playing the latest release. Seems even more challenging! Quick note: Week 2 game Titans vs Steelers, and PIT punts with an empty power bar. The returner cannot get to the ball in time, and it basically lays on the field and no one can recover it. There was a few mins left in the game, but time ran out and the game could never end bc no one could pick up the ball. Had to reset. Don't know if it's fixable or not, but letting you know all the same. Also, not a glich but kinda funny I had an injury fiesta and had only Kerry Collins on the bench. I had to put the backup TE as my WR2. What would have happened (or could it have happened) if someone else were to get hurt? I had no one left but Collins.

Just wanted to say that I am a very average TSB player, and can say that you truly just need to play the rom and get a feel. You just learn to compete. It took me several games to not get DESTROYED by the other teams RBs, but now its perfect...not easy, but it's not fun to just dominate all the time. I LOVE that Buck has made a challenging ROM. Just wanted to say that so the pressure of those wanting it to maybe be a bit easier doesn't force a compromise! Each team has its own technique to being a good D. For instance with the Titans ( I am currently 4-3 and battling constantly!) I tend to pick run plays and pressure the QB with a blitzing MLB (Tulloch). Sometimes you get burned, but I am winning some games. Each team is different and the replay value of this ROM is high...stick with it and be rewarded!

Yeah, the term "one man's opinion" is applicable, here. You don't do a single year game based on longevity and how prolific a guy is. If he was great for the year you are making the game for then he should be great in that year's game. Flawed argument in my opinion. This is in addition to the argument that CJ is 'better' than Bo, Barry, etc (for the year you are making the game, again) Not to attack, just to assure Buck that his ratings are fine. I mean, the ratings get changed midseason if a guy drops off (or otherwise) , and that is such a bonus for the ability (and effort!) of these roms.

I have read through this thread and I apologize if I missed something on this. I was playing my first game with your rom (which is excellent), and at half time of my Titans v Chiefs game, the scoreboard read that all 4 quarters were complete..it also went to the stats screen and showed stats. THEN, it finally went to the half time show screens and the game resumed. Didn't know if this has been touched on yet...I also didn't know if this was by design to show stats at halftime and the rest is just being worked out. Anyway, thanks for making this rom.

Cool. I really like the playbook updates. Although I'm not sold on the speed up thing yet, I like that you are modernizing the playbooks a bit as some of the formations are obviously a thing of the past with pro set split backs, etc. I always was a bit thrown off when I would be a CJ or AP type and they would be part of split backs or something when in today's game only some teams use a two rb set in the backfield. I definitely look forward to that advanced copy, and if you have anything available before 8/21 by any chance, I will be hosting a FF draft on that day with an annual Tecmo tourney with the league mates. They love what you've done with the place! Have a good 4th forum!

I am looking forward to your 2010 release like I used to when I was a kid waitng for 'real' games to come out. And by 'real' I mean it simply as a formality- I have been playing your 09 rom non-stop...what a gift! When do you anticipate the first 10 version? Also, you mentioned an increase in gameplay. By this do you mean that your 09, for example, was based on TSB's original gameplay speed physics, and now you plan on speeding it up? Just curious, as I worry that you are trying to fix something that ain't broke! Again, your work is appreciated.

Mostly a lurker, but have posted here and again. You regulars have been a great help, as I typically post when I have a question about something. I should try not to be so selfish. I will work to give back to this community, as my discovery of the ROMs on this board last year has been a dream come true...and that's a very minor exaggeration. Thanks to all here!