If Chris Chelios were a video game this would be it. Did you go all big guys and sacrifice speed for power and a great shot, all small speedy guys, or a mix of both? This gem is essentially the godfather of all hockey games. Choosing your team from international countries, and then customizing your squad with different player types let you create your team based on how you wanted to play. This is a game that can slip through the cracks a bit, but if you ever did play it you’ll remember just how fun and addictive it was. Smashing your friends through the glass over and over again was also pretty entertaining.ģ) Ice Hockey (Nintendo Entertainment System- 1988)
Playing in the Roman Coliseum and on the Moon were just a few of the awesome features that came along with this classic.
This game focused more on fun and less on making things realistic by allowing you to create a team full of your buddies, then customizing the jerseys and playing in outlandish arenas. Some might be surprised to see this game make this list, unless you played it. Was there any better feeling than winding up for a power clapper and lighting the net on fire? We don’t think so.Ĥ) NHL Hitz 2003 (Playstation 2 – Xbox – Nintendo Gamecube – 2003) Being able to control your favorite NHL stars as 3D versions of themselves for the first time was insane, and the fact that you could play with 4 players made this an after school classic with friends. This was the first hockey game to come out for the Nintendo 64 and it did not disappoint. Without further ado, our top 5 retro hockey video games of all time:ĥ) Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey (Nintendo 64- 1996) Over the years, the games have become so much more advanced and realistic but sometimes the old ways are best. These games were more than just a way to pass the time, they became a part of our childhood and a way to connect with the game we love on a whole different level.
These games are the ones we were most excited to find under the Christmas tree and that we remember playing the most with our childhood friends, brothers, sisters or dads. We thought in honour of the release of NHL 16 coming out today (Sept.15th), we’d take a little stroll down memory lane and list our top 5 favorite retro hockey video games of all time. Every September, kids and adults alike line up to get their hands on the newest addition and play it until their thumbs are left raw, bleeding and otherwise useless.
The EA Sports NHL franchise of video games has almost become another holiday to mark on the calendar.