Hockey is one of those sports that can be difficult to nail when it comes to a video game setting. There is always so much going on that it can be easy to get something wrong, and that could be the one thing that throws the entire game out of whack. Of course, things could go in the opposite direction.
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The developers could master the elements of their engine and produce something truly spectacular. Since there’s a considerable chance that you could get something great or terrible, we’ve decided to look at the best and worst of the genre. This list is only focusing on NHL licensed games, so hockey games without real teams and players will not be included.
10Worst: NHL 15
It might seem unfair to start with an entry from EA Sports’NHLfranchise. The series is the gold standard of hockey video games and usually offers up a strong entry. Even when it isn’t at its best, it still typically does enough to be solid, except forNHL 15.
The issue might have been trying to exist on two different generations of consoles. In trying to make a game that worked on the PS4/XBox One and PS3/XBox 360, it didn’t work right on either. The graphics were comical at times, the game was buggy, and the action felt sluggish. It definitely wouldn’t be found on any list ofthe best sports games of the decade.
9Best: 3 On 3 NHL Arcade
Maybe you don’t want to play a realistic simulation of an NHL game. That’s okay because3 On 3 NHL Arcadeis available. It was meant to be a fun, wacky version of the hockey we all love. By opting for a 3-on-3 style instead of the traditional 5-on-5, players had plenty of room for a wide-open game.
3 On 3 NHL Arcadewas included withNHL 09as a fun side game. It became popular enough that versions were made available on later installments. The game used big head versions of real NHL players and put them in an environment involving powerups and special moves.
8Worst: ESPN National Hockey Night
One would think that having the license to officially use ESPN and their presentation would make a game special. In some cases, it would but not for 1994’sESPN National Hockey Night. Combine that with this being made by Sony, and it felt like a recipe for success.
Unfortunately, it missed the mark.ESPN National Hockey Nightsuffered from a strange camera angle that made gameplay difficult. While it was different, a lot of the gameplay elements were sloppy. It came across as an attempt to be unique at the cost of making something competent.
7Best: NHL Hitz 2003
Honestly, any installment of theNHL Hitzfranchise could have made this list. There were only three, but each was very good. Developed by Midway, this game followed the formula started byNFL Blitz. It was an exaggerated take on the sport, and that’s always welcome with something as wild as hockey.
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The 2003 edition was the second entry, and it seemed to perfect things by improving on an already strong game. Goalies could score and handle the puck. You could hit players into the stands as play continued. The soundtrack was ideal for the era. Almost every review was glowing for a reason.
6Worst: ESPN NHL Hockey
Poor ESPN. They’re back on the negative side of this list.ESPN NHL Hockeycame around after 2K scored the rights to ESPN presentation. 2K was still behind EA Sports in the world of hockey, but they felt like they were catching up. That was until this game hit shelves.
The player models looked exceptionally awkward, the camera angles were a pain in the neck, and the AI was kind of a mess. Even the ESPN aspects, which should have been the highlight, were a major problem. They failed to emulate what we saw on TV, and it was an all-around disappointment.
5Best: ESPN NHL 2K5
See how we said that 2K was hot on the heels of EA Sports in hockey games? After the bump in the road that wasESPN NHL Hockey, they rebounded and scored a goal withESPN NHL 2K5. It fixed the gameplay issues from the previous entry, and the presentation was a huge step up.
Along with that, this one featured the most extensive franchise mode in a hockey game to that point. That included staff hiring, contracts, scouting, and more. This was also the first game to feature the ability to play the outdoor game, the Heritage Classic.ESPN NHL 2K5exceeded because it nailed the uncharted territory.
4Worst: NHL Faceoff 2003
There are times when a game is so rough that it sets a series way back. Think aboutTomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness. For hockey, that game wasNHL Faceoff 2003. Sony’sFaceofffranchise had been running since the days of the original PlayStation console in the 90s.
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As it moved to the PlayStation 2, it fell further and further behind EA Sports and 2K. That was never more clear than withNHL Faceoff 2003. It only had a Season mode when most games offered Dynasty modes. The character models looked frightening, and the AI was flat out dumb. There was never another installment released.
3Best: NHL 09
Any number of games from EA Sports' wildly successfulNHLfranchise could be included on this list. They are the top dogs in the hockey video game world for a reason. But for our money,NHL 09was the cream of the crop for the past decade or so. A few additions made it so.
First, there was Be-A-Pro mode. It allowed gamers to create their own players and control their careers from the minors to the Stanley Cup. There was also the defensive Skill Stick, which added a whole new layer to the defensive side of the puck. That’s not something a lot of games focused on, and it made this one special.
2Worst: NHL Powerplay ‘96
I mean, you get points for trying, don’t you? That’s probably the best that could be said for Virgin Interactive’sNHL Powerplay ‘96. Released on the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Windows, it made for the oddest combination of consoles you could imagine. To be fair, it looked good on paper.
The locker room to the rink set up for the menus was unique. That’s about where the positives ended though. The game was a mess on the ice in terms of graphics, gameplay, and camera angles. Add in a control system that kind of made no sense, and it’s easy to see whyNHL Powerplay ‘96struggled.
1Best: NHL ‘94
Ask almost anyone who has played hockey video games for the past few decades, and they’ll tell you what the best is. Some even go as far as to call it the greatest sports game ever made, period. Everything about it was seemingly perfect, and it remains that way to this day.
Slick controls, stellar gameplay, and a delightful shootout mode were all shining examples of what made this game special. Most reviews were more than positive. A lot of places even gave it a perfect rating. This game is so loved that it was included inNHL 14to celebrate the anniversary.
