# Retro Bowl — Play football like it's 1987!

> Retro-style American football management and gameplay simulator. (iPhone/iPad app by New Star Games.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-bowl/id1478902583 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [New Star Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/413849591)
- Category: Games, Simulation, Sports
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 916,521 App Store ratings · 1,903 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9 · 70 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2020-01-17
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-bowl/id1478902583/reviews.md

## What is Retro Bowl?

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?

## Key features

- Roster management
- Press duties
- Handling fragile egos
- On-field playcalling
- Retro graphics

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited Version | $0.99 | one-time |
| Coaching Credits x 500 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Coaching Credits x 50 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Coaching Credits x 100 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Coaching Credits x 25 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Coaching Credits x 75 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Coaching Credits x 250 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Coaching Credits x 2000 | $29.99 | one-time |


## Chart rankings

- #46 in Top Free · Simulation (US App Store)
- #13 in Top Free · Sports (US App Store)
- #172 in Top Grossing · Simulation (US App Store)
- #37 in Top Grossing · Sports (US App Store)

## What do users think of Retro Bowl?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Amazing game
- 👍 Simple and easy to understand
- 🕹️ Addictive gameplay
- 💰 Great value for money
- 🕹️ Nostalgic retro style

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔄 Repetitive gameplay
- 🤖 Unbalanced AI difficulty
- 🔒 Lack of control over defense
- 🚫 Limited customization options

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Saves being randomly deleted
- Gameplay slowdown and performance issues
- Inconsistent player and team ratings
- Buggy controls and responsiveness

**Most requested features**

- Add defensive gameplay
- Implement more advanced stats and leaderboards
- Introduce a career/progression mode
- Allow for custom playbooks and formations
- Implement a multiplayer mode
- Add more team and player customization options

## Recent user reviews (10 of 1,903)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-bowl/id1478902583/reviews.md

### 5/5 — GOATED game

*2026-08-26, version 1.6.45*

This is one of the best if not best football games EVER. I love the retro vibe, the ability to manage the team, and  it’s also cool that it requires no Wi-Fi. And no ads.🐐🐐🐐

### 1/5 — Game won’t launch

*2026-08-25, version 1.6.45*

Game was fun. As of today it will not launch

### 3/5 — Needs Updates

*2026-08-25, version 1.6.45*

This Game is Great, Great concept and Great Animation within the game thru games or players on the field just. When the game goes Overtime I don’t like how our team always gets possession of the ball even we start the ball every game and maybe yall should add defense algorithms so we can also play defense on ball just a suggestion to make the game more versatile

### 3/5 — Defense

*2026-08-24, version 1.6.45*

I like this game but the only thing is why is the defense faster than the offense like bro what I was wide open on my 20 and bro caught
Me from the 50

### 5/5 — Punt returns

*2026-08-22, version 1.6.45*

I think the game would be way more fun if punt returns were a thing I know it’s a long shot but please do it

### 5/5 — Retro Bowl

*2026-08-21, version 1.6.45*

Best mobile game I’ve ever played

### 5/5 — Idea

*2026-08-20, version 1.6.45*

Changing the color of the football could be a nice touch like how you can change the color of the teams jerseys

### 5/5 — Credits

*2026-08-20, version 1.6.45*

You should make it where you can buy credits, but anyways it’s the best game

### 5/5 — GOAT of Mobile Games

*2026-08-19, version 1.6.45*

Retro Bowl is by far the most addictive, replayable and exciting game on the app store. It has the 
best controls of any game i’ve ever played with no annoying buttons in awkward places. The game is difficult but rewarding. The team builder is great and works very well. The only complaint i have is there’s no defense. Buying premium is so worth it btw. £1 and you get to customise every team meaning you can make your own franchise movements and uniforms as well as having weather and kick returns. The game is just great and the updates keep making it better. Keep going devs!!! 100/10!

### 5/5 — Super fun, no adds, and amazing gameplay

*2026-08-18, version 1.6.45*

I downloaded this game, and was surprised to find out that this game has no adds whatsoever. The only negative thing is…..nothing I can’t find any

FIVE STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

## Frequently asked questions about Retro Bowl

### What is Retro Bowl?

Retro Bowl is a mobile game that combines American football management with on-field gameplay. It features a retro visual style and allows players to manage their team's roster, handle player interactions, and call plays during games.

### What are the key features of Retro Bowl?

Key features include simple roster management, handling press duties, managing player egos, and calling the shots on the field during gameplay. The game also boasts a distinct retro visual style.

### How much does Retro Bowl cost?

The application is free to download and play. It offers in-app purchases, which can enhance the gameplay experience or provide additional content.

### What is the main goal in Retro Bowl?

The main goal in Retro Bowl is to guide your team to victory and win the ultimate prize, the Retro Bowl. This involves successfully managing your team and performing well in games.

### Who is the target audience for Retro Bowl?

The app is designed for armchair quarterbacks and football enthusiasts who appreciate a blend of management and arcade-style gameplay. It appeals to those who enjoy a nostalgic, retro aesthetic in their games.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.6.45 — 2026-05-20

• Winners list updated. (Fix for issues preventing this happening in last update.)
• Fix for Kick Returner selections being lost if players were on the list of expired contracts.

### 1.6.43 — 2026-04-27

• Team strengths updated for the end of the 2025/2026 season. 
• Winners list updated.
• New Coach face added for our social competition winner.
• Fix for the game crashing when pressing one of the face buttons on certain game controllers.
• Fix for the facemask color reverting to gray when players were diving.
• Fix for an issue where longest kick records may not save correctly in a player's statistics.

### 1.6.42 — 2026-01-07

- 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.

### 1.6.38 — 2025-12-05

- Maximum kicking distance increased.
- Team strengths updated for 2025.
- Fix for a crash when restoring default Uniform data.
- Fix for issues caused by copying broken Editor data between saves.

### 1.6.35 — 2025-08-14

•Fixes for gameplay progression issues with overtime.
•Fix for a crash in Exhibition games when using 2023 Kick Return rules alongside a career team with two assigned Kick Returners.

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## More apps by New Star Games

- [New Star Soccer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/new-star-soccer/id498973162)
- [New Star Cricket](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/new-star-cricket/id974625290)
- [Retro Goal](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-goal/id1535765855)
- [New Star™ GP](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/new-star-gp/id1624667058)
- [Retro Bowl College](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-bowl-college/id1632904520)

All apps by New Star Games: https://appshunter.io/developer/413849591

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*
