One of the most beloved football games of all time is making a return, only this time it’s on our phones.

Tecmo Bowl has been released on the iPhone so gamers can have another chance to love this franchise all over again -- until they boot it up for the first time.

You’re greeted with a very unappealing home screen with some music remixed with both a new and old-school vibe to it. With options for Quick Play and a Season mode, it would seem as though this game might be worth your time. But with the $8 price tag and loads of bugs that will lead to constant crashes, Tecmo Bowl does not live up anywhere close to the hype the series deserves.

It’s pretty nifty being able to use the touch screen to scroll through your playbooks and choose your play; the playbooks all very detailed for an iPhone game. After you make the choice of a run or pass play, you step onto the field. At this point, you should notice that the game is relatively good looking. Colors are fluid and player models are decent. It’s exactly what you would expect from a Tecmo handheld.

However, when it comes to gameplay, this game needs a fix. This game is in dire need of a joystick or buttons, much like what NBA Jam has for its iPhone counterpart. Without any sort of controller, you must place your fat fingers on the screen to do everything -- run, pass, tackle or pay off the refs.

Even if you don't have fat fingers like me, trust me they will still get in the way a little too often. The size of a player model is comparable to the side of a penny cut in half. So when you’re trying to make a move on something that small, you’ll get lost behind your thumbs and soon realize you were tackled about 15 yards ago.

Another thing I noticed is that this game has what I like to call the “Eddie George Curse.” Remember in Madden 2001 when George would give you at least 10 yards on every single HB Toss play? I know I do. And that play returns in Tecmo Bowl, but on a larger scale -- every play will practically guarantee you a first down or more.

Now that every play gives a 90 percent chance of a first down, it’ll make a 16-0 season go by pretty quick. But as you pursue perfection in the Season mode, you will quickly notice that it is dull and pointless. There are no managerial duties, nothing. It is just straight games until you hold up the Lombardi Trophy.

Final Thoughts

This game has potential, but it needs a lot of work. I’ve finished more games on a crash than a touchdown. I’m sure with a few updates, and some sort of controller, it could be a worthwhile game. But until the developers keep it from bombing every 10 minutes, take away my Homer Simpson-sized fingers and take about $7 off the price tag, you should hold off.