Retro Bowl in IOS

Play football like it's 1987!

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Expert Score

95/100

Retro Bowl is a absolute masterpiece of game design. It manages to capture the soul of 'Tecmo Bowl' and 'Madden' while stripping away all the unnecessary complexity. The gameplay is pure, addictive fun: you manage your team's roster, build your stadium, and then take to the field with simple, brilliant touch controls for passing and running.

The difficulty balance is perfect—the game is easy to pick up but incredibly hard to master on 'Dynamic' or 'Extreme' settings. The management side is surprisingly deep, forcing you to make tough calls about player morale, salary caps, and draft picks. It’s the kind of game that you play for 'just five minutes' and realize two hours have passed. It is, without a doubt, the best football game on mobile.

Dinsun reviewed on: Thu Feb 26 2026

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 1.6.42Wed Jan 07 2026

- Facemasks can now be changed from the default gray color using the Unlimited Version's Team Editor.

- Potential fix for control issues when letting go of the screen to stop Trucking.


Retro Bowl is the perfect game for the armchair quarterback to finally prove a point. Presented in a glorious retro style, the game has simple roster management, including press duties and the handling of fragile egos, while on the field you get to call the shots. Can you pass the grade and take your team all the way to the ultimate prize? Can you win the Retro Bowl?


Requires iOS 9 or later. Compatible with iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17e, iPad Air, iPad Air Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 2 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 3 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 4 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (9.7‑inch), iPad Pro (9.7‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (5th generation), iPad (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (2nd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (10.5‑inch), iPad Pro (10.5‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (6th generation), iPad (6th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch), iPad Pro (11‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (5th generation), iPad mini (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (7th generation), iPad (7th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (11‑inch) (2nd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (4th generation), iPad Air (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (8th generation), iPad (8th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation), iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (6th generation), iPad mini (6th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (9th generation), iPad (9th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (5th generation), iPad Air (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (10th generation), iPad (10th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (11‑inch) (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (6th generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (6th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M2), iPad Air 11-inch (M2) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad Air 13-inch (M2) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad mini (A17 Pro) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (A16), iPad (A16) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M3), iPad Air 11-inch (M3) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M3) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (M5), iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 13-inch (M5), iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M4), iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M4), iPad Air 13-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPod touch (6th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation).

Retro Bowl is the perfect game for the armchair quarterback to finally prove a point. Presented in a glorious retro style, the game has simple roster management, including press duties and the handling of fragile egos, while on the field you get to call the shots. Can you pass the grade and take your team all the way to the ultimate prize? Can you win the Retro Bowl?


Featured In

Play a Thrilling Throwback
GAMES WE LOVE
Play a Thrilling Throwback
Relive gaming’s gridiron glory days.

Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5 with 916248 Counts
Age Rating 4+

Screenshots

Retro Bowl is the perfect game for the armchair quarterback. Take over a struggling franchise and build a dynasty. Manage your players, handle the press, and call the plays on the field. With its charming 8-bit aesthetic and modern gameplay depth, Retro Bowl offers an endless season of American Football excitement.

Features

1

Addictive retro-style gameplay

2

Full roster and facility management

3

Simple, responsive touch controls

4

Regular updates and 'Extreme' mode

Tips

Promotion Videos

Retro Goal - Official Nintendo Switch Pre-Order Trailer - YouTube

Related Videos

News on this game

Apple Arcade exclusive NFL Retro Bowl ’26 launching September 4

On September 4, NFL Retro Bowl '26 is launching exclusively on Apple Arcade, and Jeopardy! Daily and My Talking Tom Friends+ also join the...

Apple - Thu Oct 09 2025

New Star Games – The Development Team People Need To Pay More Attention To

During the pandemic, I got absolutely hooked on an iPhone game called Retro Bowl. And when I say “hooked,” I mean this game was getting more...

VICE - Sat Aug 23 2025

Apple Arcade Updates: NFL Retro Bowl ’26, Jeopardy! Daily, and more new games

Gaming Releases: Apple Arcade adds NFL Retro Bowl '26, Jeopardy! Daily, and fan-favorites like My Talking Tom Friends+ with updates and new...

Deccan Herald - Thu Oct 09 2025

And it’s GO, GO, GO for New Star GP on Mobile!

New Star GP is a fast and exciting arcade motorsport game with stunning retro visuals. Simple to play at heart but containing a surprising amount of depth and...

Games Press - Fri May 23 2025

Apple Arcade to get NFL Retro Bowl '26, more games: Check titles, details

Apple has announced that three new titles will be added to its Arcade subscription service on September 4, expanding its library of more...

Business Standard - Thu Oct 09 2025

Apple Arcade adds NFL Retro Bowl ’26, Jeopardy! Daily and My Talking Tom Friends+ this September

Apple Arcade is set to score big this September with NFL action, classic quiz show thrills, and fan-favourite virtual pets joining its...

Business Today - Thu Oct 09 2025

NFL football, Jeopardy, and more coming to Apple Arcade in September

It's time to slip into the mood for American football, a bit of quiz show experience, a touch of whimsy and interactive life simulation this...

t2ONLINE - Thu Oct 09 2025

Do Apple Arcade NFL Retro Bowl '26 and other gaming gems are coming!

To mark the start of the NFL season, the NFL is adding Apple Arcade exclusively to its catalog the retro title NFL Retro Bowl '26,...

Letem světem Applem - Thu Oct 09 2025

Forget open world adventures: Retro Bowl is so cute I want to cuddle it | Dominik Diamond

An 80s vision of NFL that you can take on bathroom breaks with your phone – that's what I call building back better

The Guardian - Sat Nov 23 2024

Apple Arcade launches three new games in September, including NFL Retro Bowl ’25

On September 5, NFL Retro Bowl '25, Monster Train+, and an all-new Apple Vision Pro spatial title, Puzzle Sculpt, join more than 200 fun titles on the service.

Apple - Wed Oct 23 2024

Gameplays

Q&A

No, you can play as many seasons as you like, building a multi-decade legacy for your team.

More by Developer

87
Retro Goal
Last Update: Wed Dec 06 2023

You Might Also Like

89
Hoop Land
Last Update: Sun Jan 04 2026

All Categories

Puzzle Game

Action Game

Simulation Game

Casual Game

Card Game

Adventure Game

Roleplaying Game

Board Game

Sports Game

Strategy Game

Racing Game

Family Game

Casino Game

Music Game

Word Game

Trivia Game

Education Game

Games Game

Entertainment Game

Utilities Game

Social Networking Game

Books Game

Health & Fitness Game

Lifestyle Game