Genesis

NHL Hockey

EA Ice Hockey is one of those truly classic games that's a unique gaming experience in two-player mode, and even remains exciting when you're up against the computer. I think the biggest hook of this game must be the gratuitous lashings of needless violence. Shoulder charges, overhead slashes and even smacking the puck right into the opposing goalie's face are all possible in this game! If tension's running high, fist fights break out at regular intervals, and there's an option included to make all this fist-related action and blatant fouls perfectly legal! The control method, and just about every form of pass, shot (or foul!) can be managed with relative ease and the inertia of the players on the ice makes for realistic and exciting play. There's also the essential replay option to look over that classic goal. It's speedier and more violent than any other Megadrive game, and ranks along with John Madden Football as one of the greatest sports sims ever produced!

Alle Eishockey-Simulationen, die mir je auf Computern, Videospielkonsolen oder in der Spielhalle untergekommen sind, sind für mich hiermit gestorben. EA Hockey ist eine nahezu perfekte Simulation dieser Sportart, die pausenlose Action liefert, ohne den Simulationsaspekt gänzlich zu vernachlässigen. Man spürt, daß dieses Programm speziell fürs Mega Drive entwickelt wurde. Die Joypad-Steuerung ist gefühlvoll und realistisch; die Feuerknopf-Belegung klug gewählt. Übersichtliche Grafik und kernige Digi-Sounds sorgen für die hervorragende Atmosphäre, während Turniermodus und die üppige Auswahl an Computergegnern auch langfristig Spannung garantieren.

The passing is dead-on, and your can inflict some hard-hitting checks on your opponent. There are no "one-timer" plays (they wouldn't appear until NHL '94), so you need to rely heavily on second-chance opportunities (i.e., the puck bounces off the goalie in front on the net). There's fighting, but once the novelty wears off it becomes a bit annoying. I always preferred to turn off all the penalties in order to ensure non-stop mayhem. This version didn't have all the bells and whistles of its sequels (you can't play a whole season), but it does have instant replay and that cool zamboni. In terms of sound, the exaggerated grunts are classic, but that grinding "Road Rash" theme song just doesn't fit. Overall NHL Hockey is still more fun to play than most new hockey games.

Overall, this is a pretty decent game that was probably the best hockey titles available at the time. However, it has "aged" pretty badly and there are many hockey games that are better than this one today. It's a good pilot episode that is worth what you are probably going to pay for it at most retro gaming stores. So, pop this game in and check it out for a while, it's good for a play or two or as part of your collection.