Genre: Sports
Developer: General Consumer Electronics
Publisher: General Consumer Electronics
Year: 1981
System: Vectrex
Blitz! is a two-player American football sports game developed and published by General Consumer Electronics exclusively for the Vectrex in 1981. The game features six players on each side and six different formations, including kick and punt plays. Gameplay involves controlling the quarterback to run or throw passes, with the unique mechanic of steering passes toward receivers. On defense, players control a single fast-moving layer to intercept or tackle opponents.
Despite its simplistic vector graphics using X’s and squares to represent players on a grid, Blitz! offers engaging and competitive gameplay. Strategic use of blockers and precise passing is required to successfully advance the ball. When a player is tackled, the character visually “explodes,” adding a distinctive flair to the game. A statistics screen is displayed after each game, providing feedback on player performance.
Blitz! includes a one-player practice mode, though it is primarily designed for two-player competition. The game is notable for being one of the few sports titles on the Vectrex system and for delivering surprisingly deep gameplay given the technological limitations of the console.
