I grew up with Bo Jackson and Joe Montana in my backfield. Granted, I have been a Bronco fan my entire life, but before I remember watching football games on TV, I remember running over the top of everybody in Tecmo Bowl because I knew Bo. I dominated with either Bo and the LOS ANGELES Raiders or Joe and the late 80’s 49ers on my two button, 8 bit Nintendo system back in the day. Unfortanely for everbody, Bo broke his hip and Joe was long out of the league before any realistic, current generation football game came onto the market. This all changes at the end of this summer.

In 2K Sports new All Pro Football 2k8, a user start a user starts a fake team and draft some of nearly 300 historical football juggernauts, or create any old player they want… you can also create any fake player you want…. like a 7’6, quick footed Ryan Leaf. Ryan Leaf hasn’t been good since he was leading Washington State to the Rose Bowl, but if my hours of training him have anything to do with it; he will be a digital hall of famer.

The idea behind the game is to compete with compete with the EA Sports juggernaut ‘Madden.’ For two years back in 2003 and 2004, EA saw the 2k series gain a lot of ground on them with a game that lacked the name recognition, but made up for it in superior game play and far more advanced graphics. Then came the virtual equivalent of a nail in the coffin when EA opted to buy the rights to the NFL in 2005 rather than compete with the 2k series and improve their game play. Three years, and no competition later, EA finally will be forced to go head on with a 2k game that is not allowed to use any current players, but rather embraces the older, legendary variety.

The funny thing about the game is that it revolves completely around stars who have already retired, and some who have passed on. I can put Thurman Thomas in my backfield that is anchored by Bernie Kosar, or I can have John Elway tossing screen passes to OJ Simpson (yes, he is in the game). Christian Okoye’s speed, Al Del Greco’s leg, Randal Cunningham’s vision and arm strength; All Pro 2k8 delivers on all of these.

Even though it is weird that the one man I wanted to play with (Bo Jackson who held out for an apparent million dollars… he is worth 50 times more in my book… a book that is based solely Tecmo Bowl) I still am very excited to play with my many favorite childhood stars ( From Elway to Yancy Thigpen, seriously). The game will definitely be worth the rent, and depending on the advancements made in the new madden beyond the updated rosters, it may be worth the buy. Check out the trailer below… it does not offer a complete guide on how the game will run, but it does provide enough visual down payment that this game may be worth the buy.