Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Super High Impact delivers an arcade-style football experience that’s all about speed, power and chaos. With 18 unique teams to choose from and over 30 plays per team, you’ll find yourself constantly adapting your strategy—whether you’re dialing up a trick play or simply bulldozing the opposition. The game’s pace never lets up: snaps happen fast, tackles are bone-crushing, and momentum can swing in an instant.

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At the core of Super High Impact is the Hit-O-Meter, a thrilling gauge that rewards big hits and punishing blocks. Rack up enough impact points and watch the screen flash as your player enters “Hit Mode,” unleashing savage tackles and sending defenders flying. When that Hit-O-Meter peaks, get ready for a street-fighting brawl on the gridiron complete with the iconic taunts “EAT THIS!!!” and “FIGHT!!!” that punctuate each punishing smash.

Beyond solo play, the multiplayer face-offs capture the true spirit of arcade rivalry. Whether you’re teaming up with a friend or going head-to-head, every pass, blitz and big hit feels electrifying. The straightforward controls ensure newcomers can jump right in, yet the depth of playbooks and Hit-O-Meter tactics offer plenty of room for mastery and replayability.

Graphics

Originating from Midway’s arcade pedigree, the console version of Super High Impact brings that classic cabinet energy into your living room. Sprites are bold and colorful, with exaggerated animations that highlight every bone-jarring tackle and flying pigskin. Players sport oversized shoulders and cartoonish proportions, enhancing the over-the-top nature of each collision.

Stadiums are packed with cheering fans rendered in pixelated glory, while the dynamic camera angles swing into action during especially brutal hits. The visual feedback from the Hit-O-Meter—screen shakes, slow-motion bursts and on-screen taunts—keeps the excitement levels high. Even by today’s standards, those effects still pack a visceral punch.

While you won’t find photo-realistic textures or ultra-detailed rosters, the striking art style holds up as a faithful celebration of old-school arcades. The bright color palette and fluid animations ensure that each play is easy to follow, and that every big hit feels genuinely satisfying.

Story

Like many arcade sports titles of its era, Super High Impact forgoes a traditional narrative campaign in favor of pure, pick-up-and-play action. The “story” unfolds through the intensity of each matchup, driven by crowd chants, referee whistles and dynamic announcer cues. You’re not following a single hero’s journey—you’re crafting your own legends with each bone-crushing hit.

That said, the game smartly injects character through its team identities. Each of the 18 squads comes with its own emblem, jersey colors and playstyle, giving you the sense that you’re leading a distinctive faction to gridiron glory. The progression toward the championship feels earned, even without cutscenes or dialogue trees.

The real narrative magic happens when your rival’s defensive end knocks your star running back into next week, triggering a full-blown brawl on the turf. The spectacle of teammates piling on, combined with the screen’s onslaught of “EAT THIS!!!” and “FIGHT!!!” taunts, crafts a memorable arcade storyline all its own.

Overall Experience

Super High Impact is a perfect pick for anyone craving fast-paced, high-octane football without the rulebook. Its pick-up-and-play nature makes it ideal for parties, casual gatherings or late-night one-on-ones. Even if you’re more accustomed to simulation-heavy titles, the thrill of rampaging defenses and cinematic hits is undeniably addictive.

True arcade enthusiasts will appreciate the game’s Midway heritage: it’s loud, brash and unafraid to lean into spectacle. The deep playbook selection, coupled with the devastation potential of the Hit-O-Meter, provides a solid balance between strategic nuance and chaotic fun. Multiplayer sessions, in particular, can end up as legendary stories you’ll recount for years.

While modern football titles may offer rosters dripping with realism or online leagues, Super High Impact stands out as a timeless classic that embraces pure entertainment. If you’re looking for an old-school rush of overblown tackles, memorable taunts and jaw-dropping visual effects, this is one retro gridiron brawl you won’t want to miss.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10