After developer Tecmo teased us last year with a short video with no gameplay just announcing its existence, we have been on pins and needles to hear what exactly is going on with it. Today, Tecmo finally let out the word that Tecmo Bowl will make its return on the DS this fall in Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff.

There were no screens, but Tecmo let us know much about the game. It will have classic, top-down gameplay, with crazy Super Abilities, 32 teams, cutscenes, and stylus control. Plus, the game is going to have online multi-player, so we can finally get that win back from our little brother on the East Coast.

Lastly, the game is going to have deep customizable capabilities. Not only can you create your own playbook, but you can also create your own teams. Pick the team’s color, emblems and home city, as well as the players' names and abilities.

That is nice on its own, but when you take into account that the game can’t have the NFL license, it becomes a little more useful. Scenario: “Whoops, I just accidentally made the Jacksonville Jaguars with the entire roster for this year. Oh well, guess I can’t help it since I inadvertently did it, so why not play anyway?”

Now you see the insidious picture develop.

May 1, 2008