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Any fun, simple hockey games?

A

Amneisac

Member
My wife and I are really wrapped up in the excitement of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, and I'm disappointed to see a lack of fun arcade style hockey games on the market. I see where NHL 14 did an 'anniversary mode' to try to recapture the excitement of NHL 94, but I'm not seeing any other games that scratch that itch and that isn't on PS4, PC, or Xbone.

Am I totally wrong or is there a huge opportunity there? I would love to be able to play a fun, but not simulation-style hockey game with my wife! We even tried NBA Playgrounds (wrong sport, I know, but we've also been watching some basketball), but that game is a hot mess (I know they're working on fixing some issues and adding a much-needed shot meter and some other things).

I also see this Old Time Hockey or whatever, which is apparently awful.

Help me, GAF! Where is my fun, arcade sports (ideally hockey) game!?
 
There was NHL 3 on 3 on last gen consoles, no idea if it's still available or how it was (or if it's BC on Xbone).

Edit: looks like the license expired and it's not available anymore except in Asia.
 
All current NHL games, not just NHL 14, have an arcade mode with easy two button controls (checking, passing, shooting). Nothing complicated, no simulation.

If you want current hockey with arcade controls, just buy NHL. Besides that, there is really no other game.
 
Krosia said:
All current NHL games, not just NHL 14, have an arcade mode with easy two button controls (checking, passing, shooting). Nothing complicated, no simulation.

If you want current hockey with arcade controls, just buy NHL. Besides that, there is really no other game.
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Oh that's cool, I couldn't find where the new games kept that arcade mode. I guess I'll have to look at NHL 17, then. Thanks!

Edit: Let me ask then, can you change the gameplay to Arcade style, but then still play the other game modes? Or is it only available for single games?
 
momshotdad said:
Mutant League Hockey for the Gensis (via emulator). Let's go Preds!
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YES

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Amneisac said:
Oh that's cool, I couldn't find where the new games kept that arcade mode. I guess I'll have to look at NHL 17, then. Thanks!

Edit: Let me ask then, can you change the gameplay to Arcade style, but then still play the other game modes? Or is it only available for single games?
Click to expand...

No you can play everything with simplified controls if I remember correctly. I only play Sim (and goaltender at that) and just change controls when friends are over, so I am not 100 percent sure.

But it is more of a "crank difficulty and controls down" thing in the options, not a specific "arcade mode". You can still play everything the game has to offer I think. Maybe just don't compete in online pro leagues ;)
 
Krosia said:
No you can play everything with simplified controls if I remember correctly. I only play Sim (and goaltender at that) and just change controls when friends are over, so I am not 100 percent sure.

But it is more of a "crank difficulty and controls down" thing in the options, not a specific "arcade mode". You can still play everything the game has to offer I think. Maybe just don't compete in online pro leagues ;)
Click to expand...

That's cool, thank you! I would probably prefer to play simulation myself, but I can't really expect my wife to spend the time to learn the controls for a modern sports game, they're insanely complicated! She kind of tunes out games if she has to start memorizing complex button combinations and stuff, but she enjoys them when they're distilled down to something accessible and fun.
 
21980_front.jpg

FDS-IceHockey-vgo.jpg

ICE_HOCK-2.png
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Ice Hockey is like the Rocket League of the NES. You'd be surprised, but it's a very deep game with very simple controls. It's one of those "easy to learn, but tough to master" type experiences and two player matches can be very intense if both people know what they're doing.

I highly recommend it. It's also got that old school Nintendo charm.

It's also 60fps with no slowdown and very minimal sprite flicker. I still play it with a friend who is pretty good and it's still exciting to this day.
 
Amneisac said:
That's cool, thank you! I would probably prefer to play simulation myself, but I can't really expect my wife to spend the time to learn the controls for a modern sports game, they're insanely complicated! She kind of tunes out games if she has to start memorizing complex button combinations and stuff, but she enjoys them when they're distilled down to something accessible and fun.
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Oh but thats good, i think you can change it for every single player individually. Look, here is the manual. They actually call them "NHL 94 controls", which is nice:

https://eaassets-a.akamaihd.net/eahelp/manuals/nhl-17-manual_playstation4_ukanz.pdf
 
NHL 93' for the Sega Genesis. The best Hockey game I ever played. I remember playing with my cousins we would set it to 20 minute periods with no goalies. The scores would go into the 100's.
 
I do actually have most of the older consoles laying around, and a few old hockey games, but I just don't really the room or desire to muss up my setup and hook them up. I also have a Retropie, but I was hoping for something with a little flashier presentation.
 
Man I miss that NES hockey game. First sports game I remember having different types of players to allow for some strategy. Loved playing it at my friend's house. Maybe playing it in short bursts kept it from getting old.

NHL 3 on 3 was great on last gen consoles. Too bad they haven't made a new one. Maybe with the new NBA playground game, they'll consider doing a new hockey one as well.

Anyone remember the Street Sports series on C64? Those were so cool at the time. Need more creative sports games like that.
 
I would suggest getting NHL 17 and tweaking the game sliders:

Penalties off
All hitting related sliders maxed
Injuries for CPU maxed
Goalie cover frequency turned down

Then make custom players for each of you with very high hitting stats and get them in franchise mode.

My friends and I play those settings and it's a total blast.
 
I wish someone would release a proper NHL 95 game with a player editor (so to not have to pay for the license) on the PC and Switch. The modern NHL games are not for me.
 
I would refrain from any NHL series games from EA.

Reason being: the engine is junk. Despite simplifying controls and difficulty you're left with a game with a dumb engine that just isn't very fun.

Some leaks have mentioned NHL 18 releasing with a 3on3 mode. I'd need to see some very different gameplay engine tweaks to make it worthwhile.

Think the best bet is NHL Arcade 3 on 3 for PS3 / Xbox 360. Other folks mentioned it being delisted... Which would be a shame.

Long shot: get rocket league? It's hockey like'ish.
 
depward said:
I would refrain from any NHL series games from EA.

Reason being: the engine is junk. Despite simplifying controls and difficulty you're left with a game with a dumb engine that just isn't very fun.

Some leaks have mentioned NHL 18 releasing with a 3on3 mode. I'd need to see some very different gameplay engine tweaks to make it worthwhile.

Think the best bet is NHL Arcade 3 on 3 for PS3 / Xbox 360. Other folks mentioned it being delisted... Which would be a shame.

Long shot: get rocket league? It's hockey like'ish.
Click to expand...

Rocket League is tough for most non-gamers. It's my favorite game (maybe ever) and I agree it feels a lot like hockey, but I don't think it's going to suit OP's needs.
 
There's Old Time Hockey that just got released a few months ago..

Haven't tried it but looked like an arcade style NHL game
 
If you have a PS2/Xbox/GC then NHL Hitz 2003 is the best choice, after that it would be an EA NHL game from that same gen since they tilted towards arcade style back then. Like others have said set your controls to 94 mode, but you should also look through the options to adjust the game speed, hitting power, poke checking effectiveness, penalties, and ect.
 
Peltz said:
Ice Hockey is like the Rocket League of the NES. You'd be surprised, but it's a very deep game with very simple controls. It's one of those "easy to learn, but tough to master" type experiences and two player matches can be very intense if both people know what they're doing.

I highly recommend it. It's also got that old school Nintendo charm.

It's also 60fps with no slowdown and very minimal sprite flicker. I still play it with a friend who is pretty good and it's still exciting to this day.
Click to expand...

Pro tip: always choose the fat guys.
 
For arcadey hockey games, definitely check out the old NHL Hitz (2002/2003) series. You might want to avoid NHL Hitz Pro, there were a bunch of changes to the gameplay due to league pressure.

The obvious downside is that there's probably like 5-10 players in those games still active in the NHL. There was a fan roster update a couple of years ago though, if you're into that sort of thing.
 
Delryk said:
There's Old Time Hockey that just got released a few months ago..

Haven't tried it but looked like an arcade style NHL game
Click to expand...

It unfortunately has been met with some unfavourable reviews. Shame because I sort of wanted to try it out.
 
Peltz said:
Ice Hockey is like the Rocket League of the NES. You'd be surprised, but it's a very deep game with very simple controls. It's one of those "easy to learn, but tough to master" type experiences and two player matches can be very intense if both people know what they're doing.

I highly recommend it. It's also got that old school Nintendo charm.

It's also 60fps with no slowdown and very minimal sprite flicker. I still play it with a friend who is pretty good and it's still exciting to this day.
Click to expand...

This fine human speaks the truth. As a arcade versus hockey game I honestly don't think it ever will be bettered.
 
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