Ice Hockey Video

Choose a team, set a speed, select a duration, create a team profile, and hit the ice. Simple.

Among the hockey titles, Blades of Steel, NHL 98, NHL 2024, and Ice Hockey, the original NES Ice Hockey game might just take the cake. The differences, are significant, such as more control in the newer games, can sometimes be too much in my opinion. Take it for what it is. There are moments when I simply want to pickup a game, play, enjoy that time, and then set it down. With the newer games, there is often a story mode or a “get into the league” challenge.

In contrast, NES Ice Hockey is all about grabbing a stick and just playing. I believe that’s way it remains at the top of the list of hockey games… maybe tied with NHL’98, but it’s been too long for both. The NHL series of games has some tricks and scoring tips, but the newest version’s AI (NHL 2024) accounts for those said moves, which seems to take away some of the skill from 97′-’98. It’s a bummer, more skill required I suppose. Getting down to the basics, I love the simplicity of grabbing a stick an playing the NES Ice Hockey game…

The play-ability, in-game challenge, speed and accuracy are key in the NES game. The fighting scenes are a bit odd, fun, as it looks like two whirling dervishes glitching out, it’s quite amusing. While some of the other games mentioned above refine the fighting button combinations, and cut-scenes… this is something the game lacks in creativity. Not a reason to skip this as a “buy”. More so, it’s a 30 year old relic, so it’s a matter of appreciation for those developers. Which is fine, it doesn’t take away from the game nor the nostalgia.

Moving past the fighting scenes, the Zamboni cut-scene is great for periods and half-time, goalies… no complaints here! Truly, this game is a gem for nearly 40 years. It’s amazing to think that these original NES console games have had a 40 year shelf life. Who would have thought that at 8, 9 or 10 years old, I would be writing about them 40 years later?

Next, thanks for the coverage @worldOfLongPlays, love the video and complete game play-through. I can always count on the full game from your channel. Helps to explain the nostalgia, since I’ll never own and/or play the game again. In any case, check out the @worldLongOfLongPlays Playlist on YouTube… You can always see our video playlists, or check the video category on our website.