Derek McLeod
Connector Contributor
Anybody who knows their hockey is going tell you that it’s “NHL ’94” every day of the week, but let’s start with the basics, shall we?
“Blades of Steel” (NES, Konami, 1988) – “BLADDDAES OFF STEELLEE!” shouts the primitive voice sample as you fire up the first true classic of hockey gaming, complete with fights, penalties, a tournament mode and jerseys that kiiiiiind of look like the real teams, I guess?
“Ice Hockey” (NES, Nintendo, 1988) – Um, hey, Nintendo? We’re missing a guy. We need one m— ah, whatever. Just give me two fast guys, an average and a big dude and let’s play.
“NHL Stanley Cup” (SNES, Nintendo, 1993) – Holy Mode 7, Batman! I’ve never seen graphics like this in a hockey game! The Super Nintendo’s Mode 7 graphics made for a rather funky-looking hockey game that featured every NHL team, but not an NHLPA license, leaving fans to piece together just who that Kings’ #99 was and why he was so good.
“NHL ’94” (Genesis/SCD/SNES, EA Sports, 1993) – The gold standard. People are still paying over $10 for a copy of this game, 20 years later, and for good reason. One timers, season mode, dekes, physics engines and, oh, the music. Everything but fighting, really, but it’s still one of the best sports games ever made, and it’s still getting roster updates online. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out.
“Mutant League Hockey” (Genesis, EA, 1994) – How do you make the world’s best sports game even better? Add death, violence, gore, monsters of all kinds and, while you’re at it, make it hilarious. Following up the success of “Mutant League Football,” EA held nothing back and gave non-sports fans a reason to love hockey.
“Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey” (Arcade/N64/PS1, Midway/Atari, 1996) – The N64 may not have seen much support from EA on the rink, but they did have a great hockey game to appeal to both simulation- and arcade-style hockey fans in “Gretzky’s 3D Hockey.” Arcade style is always noteworthy, of course, with power saves, shots, and checks, and some crazy fighting (no fatalities, though).
“NHL 99” (N64/PS1/PC, EA Sports, 1998) – Play this on N64. Do it. Bill Clement is all alone in the commentary booth and it’s almost entirely over-the-top, brimming with quotable gems like “Northbound on a southbound freeway, look out!” and “Welcome to the Roadkill Café!!” Solid NHL gameplay and plenty of gameplay options make this a cartridge still worth popping in.
“NHL Rock The Rink” (PS1, EA, 2001) – Before there was “Hitz,” we were blessed with this beautiful game to send off the PS1. High flying, hard hitting and turned up to 11 on every level, you can expect some real attitude when the intro song to a hockey title is Hole’s “Make Me Over.” Good gameplay, challenge and an absolutely beautiful sense of humor and style, “RTR” is a hidden gem.
“NHL Hitz 2003” (PS2/GCN/Xbox, Midway, 2002) – The “Hitz” series was special, but unfortunately it only lasted three games. The second game was the peak, though, having more features than in the first installment of four-on-four hockey madness, and being before the “Pro” moniker left both “Hitz” and “Blitz” to die in buttoned-down mediocrity. Launch a team of pros, pirates, aliens, babies and more across the globe in the surprisingly deep franchise mode or just beat up on your friends in all sorts of venues and mini games.
