A beloved 1980s football video game is heading to the big screen in an unexpected way. Variety reported that Tongal, the creator-driven production platform and studio, has optioned the rights to Koei Tecmo's Tecmo Bowl and is actively developing a feature film adaptation. The project kicks off with an open call for graphic designers and animators to reimagine the game's legendary 8-bit characters as modern 3D models, with the ultimate goal of blending them into a live-action and CGI hybrid movie.
Tongal launched a dedicated pitch-submission page on its platform for the initial phase, titled "Reimagine Tecmo Bowl as a Feature Film: A Character Design Project." Submissions opened on February 3rd, 2026, with a deadline of February 17th, 2026, and a $2,000 project fund attached. The brief specifically calls for two teams to each create their own version of Bo Jackson, the standout star from the original game whose unstoppable running ability made him a cultural icon among players. The studio aims to capture the nostalgic charm of Tecmo Bowl's pixelated animation sequences while updating them for contemporary audiences through a mix of live production and animated gameplay inspired by the source material. Tongal explicitly references The Minecraft Movie as a stylistic benchmark, suggesting a similar blend of real-world settings with stylized, game-derived characters.
This crowdsourced approach aligns with Tongal's core model. The company maintains a community of over 160,000 global creatives who collaborate on projects ranging from branded content to original films. Past clients include Netflix, The Lego Group, Pokémon, NBCUniversal, and Pharrell Williams, for whom Tongal contributed to the 2024 animated documentary Piece by Piece. By opening the floor to community pitches early in development, Tongal is betting on fresh ideas to bring new life to a property that lacks a traditional narrative but carries immense nostalgic weight.
Tecmo Bowl first hit arcades in 1987, followed by a home console release on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989 (and the Famicom in Japan in 1990). The game stood out for its simple yet addictive gameplay, featuring one-button passing and tackling mechanics that emphasized arcade-style fun over simulation. Crucially, it was one of the first football titles to use real NFL player names and likenesses, including superstars like Joe Montana, Lawrence Taylor, and especially Bo Jackson. Jackson's in-game dominance was thanks to his speed, strength, and a glitch that made him nearly impossible to tackle which turned him into a legend among kids playing on NES consoles. Many gamers credit Tecmo Bowl with introducing them to American football, creating lasting memories of backyard-style matches with friends.
The franchise spawned sequels and spin-offs over the years, including Tecmo Super Bowl in 1991, which expanded rosters and added more depth. While later entries faded, the original remains a touchstone for retro gaming enthusiasts, frequently appearing in "best NES games" lists and inspiring fan recreations.
Adapting a game with no plot beyond "play football" presents obvious challenges. Tecmo Bowl's appeal lies in its minimalist action, exaggerated player abilities, and that unmistakable 8-bit art style. Tongal's hybrid format of live action for story elements and CGI for gameplay sequences offers a way to build a narrative around the characters while preserving the source's visual DNA. Whether the film follows a coming-of-age story, a meta adventure inside the game world, or something else entirely remains unclear, as plot details are still under wraps. The focus on Bo Jackson as the starting point suggests the movie may center on his larger-than-life persona, perhaps exploring themes of athletic mythology or 80s nostalgia.
Tongal's involvement adds an intriguing layer. Rather than a top-down studio production, this is a collaborative effort from the ground up, with creators worldwide contributing to character designs and potentially more. If successful, it could serve as a model for how crowd-powered development brings niche properties to broader audiences.
For now, the project is in its earliest stages, with character pitches as the first step. Designers and animators interested in contributing can submit via Tongal's site. Whether the end result captures the chaotic joy of a Tecmo Bowl Sunday afternoon remains to be seen, but the ambition to revive one of gaming's most fondly remembered football experiences is already generating buzz. In an era of endless remakes and adaptations, a Tecmo Bowl movie seems to be an interesting one to make. Stay tuned for more updates about the project as we get them.