Source: CGame Player’s Strategy Guide to Nintendo Games – Volume 1, Number 2
John Elway’s Quarterback is one of a number of football games on the NES. It started lif as an arcade game, originally just called Quarterback. John Elway signed a licensing agreement shortly after it was released. The arcade version of the game had a unique controller for the offense. It was a spring loaded handle that allowed you to aim your pass. The NES version had more conventional controls.
John Elway’s Quarterback really isn’t one of the better football games on the NES. The graphics and sound were below average and there were some gameplay flaws as well. One of the biggest issues was that with the proper technique, it was impossible for the defense to effectively defend against the offense. You might want this one if you just have to have every football game or are a particular fan of John Elway but otherwise stick to Tecmo Bowl or one of the other football games on the NES.
John Elway’s Quarterback was also ported to the PC (DOS) and Commodore 64. The game was a little better on those systems but still isn’t great. Unlike some more successful football games, there was no John Elway’s Quarterback 2.
The ad above is from Volume 1, Number 2 of Game Players’ Strategy Guide to Nintendo Games.