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NHL Hockey technical data
Name | NHL Hockey |
System | Genesis - Mega Drive |
Year | 1991 |
Developer | Park Place Productions |
Genre | Sports |
NHL Hockey is a classic ice hockey video game that was released for the Sega Genesis (known as the Mega Drive in some regions) in 1991.
Developed by Electronic Arts (EA), the game was the first installment in the NHL series and set the standard for future hockey video games.
One of the key features of NHL Hockey was its use of real NHL teams and players.
The game included all 26 NHL teams at the time, as well as accurate player rosters and ratings based on their real-life skills and abilities.
This allowed players to recreate their favorite teams and players on the virtual ice and added to the overall realism and immersion of the game.
In terms of gameplay, NHL Hockey used a top-down view of the ice, allowing players to quickly move the puck and execute complex plays.
The game also featured smooth and responsive controls, allowing players to easily skate, shoot, and pass with precision.
One of the key new features of NHL Hockey was its use of manual goaltending.
In previous hockey video games, the goalie was controlled automatically by the computer, but NHL Hockey allowed players to take control of the goalie and make saves themselves.
This added an additional layer of skill and strategy to the game, as players needed to balance the risk of leaving the net open with the potential rewards of making a big save.
NHL Hockey also introduced a number of other new gameplay features, including the ability to check opponents, fight with other players, and call plays on the ice.
The game also had a unique "fatigue" feature, which meant that players would tire out over the course of a game and would need to be rested in order to perform at their best.
In addition to its innovative gameplay mechanics, NHL Hockey was also known for its impressive graphics and sound.
The game featured realistic player models and animations, as well as accurate depictions of the various NHL arenas.
The game also had a memorable soundtrack, featuring classic rock tracks such as "The Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy.
Overall, NHL Hockey was a groundbreaking hockey video game that set the standard for future NHL games.
Its use of real NHL teams and players, manual goaltending, and innovative gameplay mechanics made it a fan favorite among hockey fans and gamers alike, and it remains a classic favorite to this day.