Synopsis
by Scott Alan Marriott
Acclaim's first hockey game on Nintendo 64 takes a simulation-style approach with a wide variety of customization and team management options. In addition to 26 NHL teams with stats and player ratings from the 1996-1997 season, the game includes both All-Star teams as well as Olympic-style hockey in the international playoffs mode. Other play formats include exhibition, practice, season, shootout, and playoffs. Adjustable settings range from difficulty level and game speed to injuries, fatigue, fighting, and penalties. On the ice, players can call multiple offensive and defensive sets for key situations such as power plays and penalty killing. Lines can also be edited so teams have the right personnel for the right situation.
Seasons can be set to 25, 41, or 82 games as teams strive to win the Stanley Cup. Winning managers earn points that can be spent on upgrading a team's injury therapies, player development, and coaching staffs. Free agents can be signed and released, while trades support as many as six players at once. Of course, players are still free to create their own star athletes, whose names will be displayed on jerseys. The developers also incorporated each featured athlete's height and weight measurements in the motion-captured 3D player models. High-res graphics and advanced lighting effects help bring the arenas to life, as players decide on the best camera view out of eight possible options. Cover star Keith Tkachuk offers in-game scouting reports and strategy recommendations for those new to the sport.
Screenshots
Features
Includes 26 NHL teams and 600 real-life players with stats from the 1996-97 season
Earn points during the season to spend on improving team dynamics
Features in-depth season and playoff stat tracking in over 45 categories
Similar Games
NHL 96
EA Sports
NHL FaceOff
Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.
Extra Creditsby Glenn Wigmore
Older games such as Electronic Arts' NHL Hockey series definitely had an influence on this game, which is the first in Acclaim Sports' NHL Breakaway franchise.
The sport of hockey evolved from the Irish game called hurling and flourished in Canada during the 1800s. In 1875 the so-called "McGill University Rules" were established, which laid down the basis for the sport the way Abner Doubleday did the same for baseball in America around that time.
The National Hockey League started in 1942 and was composed of only six teams until 1968. When this game was created, the league had 28 teams.
Game Trailer
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Also Available On
Platform
Publisher
Developer
Year
IBM PC Compatible
Acclaim Sports
1998
PlayStation
Acclaim Sports
Sculptured Software, Inc.
1997
Extra credits by Glenn Wigmore
Older games such as Electronic Arts' NHL Hockey series definitely had an influence on this game, which is the first in Acclaim Sports' NHL Breakaway franchise.
The sport of hockey evolved from the Irish game called hurling and flourished in Canada during the 1800s. In 1875 the so-called "McGill University Rules" were established, which laid down the basis for the sport the way Abner Doubleday did the same for baseball in America around that time.
The National Hockey League started in 1942 and was composed of only six teams until 1968. When this game was created, the league had 28 teams.
Game Trailer
-->
Click here to get the Flash Player
-->
Also Available On
Platform
Publisher
Developer
Year
IBM PC Compatible
Acclaim Sports
1998
PlayStation
Acclaim Sports
Sculptured Software, Inc.
1997
Controls: Joystick/Gamepad
Flags: 3D Graphics, Motion-Capture Animation, Voice