Pros: Fun for adults and teens
Cons: Fast action. You need to know a little about Hockey to play.


This is a hockey game with life-like scenes and exciting, fast play. It can be used for one player, two, or a group. This past year my son had a bunch of his friends over and they created a hockey league with several guys on each team, and several controls. He and I are playing a season with just the two of us on the same team.

You choose your own team and strategy. You can trade players, sign a free agent, create a player. My favorite is an old timer I used to watch when he played for the Whalers in Connecticut. Gordie Howe. In the game, at least, he has lost none of his ability to skate and get that puck into the goal.

The music sounds just like what you hear at the hockey game. Then the action begins with a lot of hand movements to slide those players up towards the goal, to push the puck to the other player or slam it into home. When you do score the team puts up their hockey sticks and their is victory music.

The controller action allows you to zoom in for a close view, or pull back for an overhead view of the ice. You also have a large selection of attributes and abilities for your team. The possibilities for fun seem endless.

This is a great game but I recommend it more for teens to adults than children. There are sophisticated elements such as equalizing the strengths of teams that younger kids might not understand.

The basic game controls allow for offense and defense
In Offense you can skate; choose pass/shot direction with the D-Button
The X allows you to Pass; Draw the puck in a faceoff.
The Square is for the shoot button
The O gives you speed.

In defense you have
the D-Button for skate
The X for control player closest to puck
The Triangle for Block Shot
and the O for Speed burst.

The small instruction book which comes with the game is filled with variations to make the game even more interesting. This includes menu controls, offense, defense, goaltending, strategy, fighting.

There are different game modes for exhibition, season plays, playoffs, tournament, shootout and coaching drills.

The skill levels range from beginner, rookie and pro all star.

Using a memory card is particularly important if you want to play a season. If you have NHL98 you'll want this newer version. It allows for my variety in play.