Previous Next

4th And Inches is one of the better American football simulators now on the market, but you need to know the rules of the real game very well before you start playing.

This is a one or two player game in which joystick options let you select a play from a selection of five, then an intended receiver or blitzer, and finally a player to control. You can see your opponent's options, but not which one has been selected.

The graphics representing the players and field are good. The only drawback is that you can't look downfield to see if a receiver is clear - and you have to throw to your intended receiver (although bootlegging is possible) so quite often a pass is wasted.

Fortunately the computer, otherwise a tough opponent, plays zone defense, so there are some plays which are virtually guaranteed to work against it on a timing pattern. Fumbles are not possible - except on an onside kick - and nor are false starts or delay of game, since the 30 second clock simply stops if you try it.

Interception is possible, but you need to have picked the nearest defensive back to reach the ball. Some trick plays are allowed for but not others. You can have screen passes and fake field goals, but not a reverse play, and only the quarterback can throw.

The computer keeps no statistics, so it is sometimes hard to see if your strategy is working. Within those limits, 4th And Inches gives you an excellent game of football.

I told you that you needed to know the game well, didn't I? But if you like the real game, you'll love this version.