In a partnership that’s sure to win a championship, Koei Tecmo is teaming up with retro apparel company Homage for an ongoing clothing line based on the warm 8-bit action of Koei Tecmo’s 1987 football classic Tecmo Bowl.
This new line joins Homage’s already pretty stellar Super Star NFL line.
What better way to start a video game collection than with a callback to a title card? That’s why the new Tecmo Bowl lineup starts today with a T-shirt emblazoned with the iconic “All-American” title card.
Starting November 2nd, the Homage helmet t-shirt will wear an 8-bit alt jersey — as all 32 teams will get a Tecmo Bowl logo. It is worth remembering this could earn HOMAGE a penalty for too many men on the field, as the original game only sported 12 teams. But we are willing to forgive!
The actual nostalgia sack will come on November 16th, when Homage drops the first Player Pack. It features some of Tecmo Bowl’s most beloved players… Unless your uncle keeps playing with the 49ers and making you HATE Jerry Rice!
The complete list of players first released are:
- Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers [hate him!!!]
- Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions
- John Elway, Denver Broncos
- Jim Kelly, Buffalo Bills [That’s my quarterback!!!]
- Randall Cunningham, Philadelphia Eagles
- Christian Okoye, Kansas City Chiefs
- Thurman Thomas, Buffalo Bills
- Derrick Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs
- Clay Matthews, Cleveland Browns
- Howie Long, Los Angeles Raiders
A Quarterback Player Pack and Wide Receiver Player Pack is also on the way later in November, while December will bring winter football, a unique Running Back Player tee, and a Defense Player Pack.
“This collaboration is easily the most requested by our customers,” says Ryan Vesler, founder and chief executive officer of HOMAGE. “Tecmo Bowl is so deeply entrenched in pop culture that it has endured as one of the most valuable pieces of IP in football and videogame history. For HOMAGE, this collaboration has been a 10-year journey since our team initially outreached to the parent company of Tecmo Bowl with our interest. As the adage goes, good things come to those who wait, and we are truly honoured and so very excited to present this collection to fans worldwide today.”
All shirts are available in unisex sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL and 3XL. You’ll need a shipping receiver for Canadian fans because Homage only ships in the USA.
