Pigskin 621 AD Overview
Pigskin 621 AD presents a violent medieval sports contest where two five-player teams engage in a form of combat rugby called "footbrawl." The action unfolds across two distinct halves, beginning on an outdoor field before moving to a dungeon arena filled with thematic hazards like beer pools, skull piles, and trap doors. Players control their team captain, navigating around various environmental obstacles while competing for a ball.
Scoring is achieved either by maintaining uninterrupted ball possession, which grants points over time, or by carrying or passing the ball across the opponent's goal line. Basic controls consist of punch and pass buttons, with a team's ability to knock down opponents linked directly to the captain throwing a punch. The game offers a standard mode and a more challenging Pro variant with heightened AI aggression.
A distinctive feature is the presence of concealed weapons such as axes and swords scattered on the field. When a captain picks one up, it can be used to decisively win the chaotic scrums that occur over the ball, resulting in the temporary elimination of the defeated opponent. The game also incorporates a balancing mechanism, granting advantages like a stabbing soldier or a superior troll player to the side that is significantly behind in points.
Originally an arcade title designed for shared-screen, two-player competition, it was later adapted for the Sega Genesis in 1992 under the name Pigskin Footbrawl. This home console version included promotional voice clips from Jerry Glanville, who was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons at the time.
