Every Retro Bowl Version, Explained
· 5 min read
Retro Bowl, Retro Bowl+, Retro Bowl College and NFL Retro Bowl '25 — what each one is, when it arrived and which one you can play in a browser.
Retro Bowl (January 2020)
The original, released by New Star Games for iOS and Android. Invented teams, a full franchise mode, and the drag-to-throw passing that everything since has been built on. This is the version that spread across browsers and Chromebooks, and it is the one you can play free on this site.
It found its audience slowly. Coverage from YouTube creators in late 2021 pushed it to the top of the US App Store download chart nearly two years after release — an unusual second life for a mobile game.
Nintendo Switch (February 2022)
On 10 February 2022 Retro Bowl arrived on its first dedicated console. The content is the pro game you already know; the notable change is the control scheme, which maps the throw onto a stick instead of a swipe.
Retro Bowl+ on Apple Arcade (June 2023)
Released 23 June 2023, Retro Bowl+ is the same game without ads and with the credit-gated features unlocked from the start. It also put Retro Bowl on Apple TV and Mac alongside iPhone and iPad.
Retro Bowl College (September 2023)
The college spin-off, released 18 September 2023. Recruiting, the transfer portal and program prestige replace the draft, free agency and the salary cap. Same throwing, very different management.
NFL Retro Bowl '25 (September 2024)
On 5 September 2024 the franchise became officially licensed: teams and player names licensed through the NFL and the NFL Players Association, released on Apple Arcade. From invented teams in 2020 to a real NFL licence in under five years.