NHL series
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The NHL series is a video game series based on the National Hockey League by EA Sports. The first version was released for the Sega Genesis in 1992, and since then it has been available on most major gaming platforms. Currently, it is available for the PC, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox. NHL 07 will be available on the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation Portable, as well.
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Features
The NHL series have introduced brand new features for years. The most recent being the Free-4-All mini game introduced in NHL 2005, letting gamers compete with each other by scoring goals on one goaltender either in a certain time limit or until someone scores a certain amount of goals. With appropriate settings, defencemen can be incorporated in the game, making it more challenging.
Also recent is the inclusion of some European leagues. Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Sweden's Elitserien and Finland's SM-liiga have been introduced in NHL 2004 and has expanded to include Czech Republic's Tipsport Extraliga in NHL 07. Before NHL 07, users can only have a season and play an exhibition with each elite league's team. Now, users can bring an elite team into the Dynasty Mode.
A revamped Create-A-Player feature is available after being taken out of NHL 2005. Gone are the pre-modeled faces to choose from and in comes facial sculpting, inspired from the Tiger Woods video games. Create-A-Team has remained the same. Players have the ability to recreate defunct or vintage teams, or start new ones with plenty of logos and jersey designs to choose from. The Hartford Whalers logo is not included due to the fact that the city of Hartford owns the team's rights and has prohibited the team's inclusion in the game. Create-A-Team is not available for the Xbox 360.
A Shootout mode is introduced in NHL 07, simulating a real shootout. It is used to get players familiarized with the new controls for the Xbox 360 version of the game, as well as a means to practice shooting in general. Users have the ability to turn shootout rules on or off. Shootout options in an actual games will always be on.
The World Cup of Hockey was a feature in NHL 2005, coinciding with said event featuring authentic rosters and uniforms. It has been relabelled as EA Sports World Tournament in NHL 06 with fantasy jerseys whose feature flags rather than team logos and rosters based on the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy (with EA Sports' roster update) because of the lack of the IIHF license.
Exclusive to the Xbox 360 NHL 07 title is a new control scheme. Users will now primarily use the left and right analog stick. the left stick is used to move a selected player and the right stick is used to pass and shoot, giving players total control of their shots and passes. A Shootout mode will instantly run when the game is loaded for the first time to give users a feel for the controls.
The series
NHL Hockey (1991)
The first version of the game, titled NHL Hockey and released in August 1991 for the Genesis, was considered the most realistic hockey game of its time. This game used a vertical view, which was unique at the time since most previous hockey games used horizontal or top-down views. It also featured an NHL license but not a license from the NHLPA, the players association. Therefore, the team names and logos were all present, but no players' names were mentioned. Instead, all players were referred to by their numbers. The Mega Drive version was released soon after, called EA Hockey and featured international teams. However, this change was merely cosmetic, as most team colours could be tracked to NHL teams. Although the game had all NHL teams that existed at the time, the only competition present were the playoffs, either decided on one or seven matches.
NHLPA Hockey 93
The next release was titled NHLPA Hockey '93 and while having an NHLPA license, it did not have an NHL license. Due to the lack of an NHL license, the game included all player names and numbers but did not include real team names or logos. Instead, teams were identified by their city and colors. This meant that the New York Islanders were referred to as "Long Island", even though the official name does designate the team as such. Also introduced were Tampa Bay and Ottawa to the 22 teams of NHL Hockey. The Genesis version also included EEPROM battery saving, which allowed to save lines and the ongoing playoff, rather than use passwords.
The game also started a dispute between EA and the ice hockey ruling bodies over what could be included on the licensed game. In the game injured players often bled when injured, mis-aimed shots could break the glass behind the net, and the instruction manual made references to injuring opposing key players, stating "Player injuries — it's a part of the game. Knock key opposing players out of the game with an extra hard body check". Neither the NHL or the NHLPA approved these additions to the game, and thus fighting, and blood were removed in the next version, NHL Hockey 94, since they were considered harmful to the sport's image Template:Fact. Single period and entire game player injuries remained. This could be seen as the motivator for EA's creation of Mutant League Hockey, with its emphasis on fighting, blood, and miscellanious bad sportsmanship.
NHL Hockey 94
With the 1994 version of the game, EA obtained both NHL and NHLPA licenses. This was also the first version that, alongside the already existing Genesis/Mega Drive and SNES versions, was available for the PC and Sega CD. It also added the one-timer shot, where a player receives a pass from a teammate and shoots the puck as soon as it arrives, goalie control, penalty shots, a shootout mode and included two new teams, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the Florida Panthers even though the teams had not joined the NHL as of yet. The addition of the two new teams caused some anomalies in the game; for example the Florida Panthers had just acquired goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, who had spent the previous season with the New York Rangers, in the expansion draft. Yet since all other team rosters were based on the previous season Vanbiesbrouck, along with other players, were included on multiple teams. The Super Nintendo & the Sega CD versions of the game had Vanbiesbrouck removed from the Rangers, but with no added substitute, which left Mike Richter as the only goaltender.
NHL Hockey 94 for Sega CD added over 100 low quality video clips of previous season highlights and a full-screen video intro.
NHL Hockey 94 was also released for the PC with similar, but not exactly the same gameplay versus the console versions. It also added full season and transactions, as well as the full set NHL awards. Despite these additions, the PC versions never reached the popularity of the 16-bit cartridges.
NHL Hockey 94 was include as #47 in IGN'S Top 100 Games of All Time [1] and was named All Time Greatest Sports Video Game by Boston.com and various gaming forums.
NHL 94 for the Sega Genesis gets an entire scene in the movie Swingers with Vince Vaughn using the the Chicago Blackhawks' Jeremy Roenick to injure the LA King's Wayne Gretzky. From the dialogue it is clear that the actors or writers were experienced with the game. Despite Vince Vaughn saying "watch me make Gretzky's head bleed" there is no blood in NHL 94. Template:Fact
NHL 95
With the next game in the series, NHL 95, many changes were introduced. For the first time, a complete season could be played, players could be created and traded, and gameplay also had improvements with the inclusion of fake shots, drop passes and laying on the ice to block shots. Despite all the additions, it featured several bugs, particularly in the SNES version, which resulted in unrealistically bloated games (20-goal shootouts are not uncommon).
This year's cover featured Alexei Kovalev of the New York Rangers scoring on Vancouver's Kirk McLean during the '94 Finals.
The PC version of NHL 95 retained the gameplay similar to NHL 94 on the console while allowing for complete seasons and created players.
NHL 96
NHL 96 for the PC was the first game in the series to have multiple cameras, using EAs Virtual Stadium technology, which used 2D sprites on a 3D environment. Fighting, and major and double minor penalties were reintroduced. The cover of the game featured Steve Yzerman and Scott Stevens, and the NHL's theme song, (Get Ready For This by 2 Unlimited) was used as the games' main theme. The game included the Quebec Nordiques, and not the Colorado Avalanche, even though the team had moved before the start of the 1995-96 season.
NHL 97
NHL 97 took the graphics even farther ahead, using a full 3D engine, with motion-captured polygonal players. Each goaltender had his own custom-painted mask and the original artwork could be seen inside the game with a special "Goalie Mask Viewer". NHL 97 also introduced play-by-play commentary, provided by well-known announcer Jim Hughson.
For the first time since EA Hockey, national teams were added, although only Canada, the United States and Russia had their own teams while the other two were selections of the best European players. Along with the PC, Mega Drive/Genesis and SNES versions, both the Sega Saturn and PlayStation version made their debut.
The cover of the game featured Florida Panthers goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck.
NHL 98
NHL 98 took the series ahead by introducing full national teams (EA was not able to capture the Nagano Olympic Tournament license due to lack of IIHF license, acquired by Gremlin Interactive). Jim Hughson returned for play-by-play, this time joined by Daryl Reaugh who provided color commentary. EA Sports also introduced 3Dfx Glide support for the first time in NHL series.
The cover of the game featured Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Forsberg.
Versions between NHL 99 and NHL 2001
Between NHL 99 and NHL 2002 there were very few large improvements to the game. A career mode (later developed into a Franchise mode) with a retirement feature, drafting and player trades were added to the game. Furthermore, created players could use any photo for their face which would be textured on the head. Online leagues of the game also became more organized.
Daryl Reaugh left the series as color commentator following NHL 99. Jim Hughson remained as play-by-play announcer throughout the series, with Bill Clement joining as an analyst for NHL 2000.
The covers of the game featured Philadelphia Flyers forward Eric Lindros on NHL 99, St. Louis Blues defenseman Chris Pronger on NHL 2000 in the nordic countries Markus Näslund Vancouver Canucks was on the cover of NHL 2000. San Jose Sharks forward Owen Nolan on NHL 2001 in the nordic countries Jere Lehtinen Dallas Stars was on the cover of NHL 2001.
NHL 2002
Bill Clement was replaced by Don Taylor for NHL 2002. Taylor's quirky and often slapstick commentary style drew mixed reception from fans of the game.
The cover of the game featured Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Mario Lemieux.
NHL 2003
Template:Main NHL 2003 was a revolutionary version of the game. It was very detailed and clean-cut, with an improved graphics model, but had some flaws. It featured out-of-control scoring and unrealistic gameplay, with regards to hitting and shooting. Jim Hughson and Don Taylor returned as commentators. EA Trax was also introduced along with EA Sports' titles at the time.
Don Taylor made very funny comments after saves, goals, hits, and more.
Calgary Flames forward Jarome Iginla was featured on the cover.
NHL 2004
"NHL 2004", developed by the EA Black Box studios, added 3 European Elite leagues - Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Sweden's Elitserien and Finland's SM-liiga. (This was not the first time that European teams were included in an EA game; EA released both Elitserien 95 and Elitserien 96 for the Mega Drive in Sweden only and Elitserien and SM-liiga 2001 as an expansion pack for PC in Sweden and Finland which included those teams). The game included many improvements to its gameplay (more realistic puck and rebound control and better checking) and game modes (a completely reworked franchise mode renamed "Dynasty"). In addition to the gameplay improvements, one particular non-gameplay improvement was added. When a team wins the Stanley Cup Finals, a large-scale celebration ensues. It included players skating around the ice holding the Cup over their heads. This then led to the common snapshot of the team and the coaches that holds true in the NHL. A "secret" song (Shatterday by Vendetta Red) plays while the animation shows the stats of the players in the picture, ending with the captain. Because of these additions, it was praised as one of the best games in the series to date Template:Fact.
Another new feature of NHL 2004 was allowing the player to select when to fight, where previously it had been a somewhat random occurrence. When two players' names flashed onto the bottom of the screen, accompanied by the word "Fight!" and a bell sounding, the person playing the game could push a button to begin a fight, or hold off until a later time. Furthermore, goaltenders were able to fight (however, goalie fights are completely random, as the names of other players are shown at the bottom of the screen; also, goalies are not thrown out of a game for fighting; in real life, goaltenders who fight are given both a major for fighting and a minor for leaving the crease, resulting in game misconducts for both combatants).
Picking a cover athlete for NHL 2004 proved to be problematic. Joe Thornton was the original choice but after he was brought up on assault charges, he was removed and replaced by Dany Heatley for the game's first shipments. After Heatley's car crash that killed his Atlanta Thrashers team-mate, Dan Snyder, EA removed him and replaced the cover with Joe Sakic but not before a large number of units had already been shipped. As a result, both covers (Heatley and Sakic) made it into circulation.
NHL 2005
NHL 2005 features Open Ice Control, which according to EA allows better control, including moving players without the puck and also a complete World Cup mode where each team can be created from scratch. The IIHF license which granted the World Cup mode also allowed EA to use real-life international jerseys for the first time (previously released games used unique jerseys designed by the game's staff which only bore a passing similarity to their real life counterparts, so the jersey shows their flag.) The PC version of the game was stripped down to the bare essentials, including the omitting of the create-a-player feature. These omissions were possibly due to the labour dispute that season, but EA explained that they hadn't perfected the new create-a-player interface, which would have allowed for far greater customizability that what was previously available. The game also suffered from overly-aggressive AI and was generally seen negatively. Template:Fact
Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Näslund was featured on the cover.
NHL 06
NHL 06 was released in September 2005 with a North America-wide TV campaign proclaiming, "Hockey's Back!". The game featured a slight graphics improvement and the return of the Create-A-Player feature, which had been notably absent from NHL 2005. The complete redesign of this feature was based on that used in EA Sports' Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005, allowing for much more complex changes in a player's appearance than simply eye or hair colour. The game also includes HC Davos from Switzerland to go along with the European elite leagues.
The creators of the game placed a surprise in the PlayStation 2 version; playing NHL 94 was an option, and it would look the same as it was when it was originally released, including several since-relocated franchises such as the Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques.[2]. The Hartford Whalers, however, were not included, instead replaced by a team called the "Hartford Canes". The city of Hartford owns the rights to the Whalers name, logo and jersey, and did not allow their use in the game.
NHL 06 came under heavy criticism for once again featuring too many "score fests", this time as a result of the defensive AI in the game being very passive. And, suspect goalie AI known as "Fish Flopping Out of Water Syndrome."
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vincent Lecavalier was featured on the cover in North America, and in Nordic countries Chicago Blackhawks Finnish forward Tuomo Ruutu.
NHL 07
NHL 07 was released on September 12, 2006[3]. The game features a newly designed control setup, eliminating the need to use the face buttons to pass the puck (something Xbox users are likely to notice the most).
The new skill stick feature produces different types of shots: backhand, snap shot, wrist shot, and slap shot. A backhand shot is achieved by holding the right joystick in the opposite direction of the shooter's forehand shot, then pushing the joystick forward(to the up position.) A snapshot is achieved by pushing the joystick forward with no other actions. The wrist shot is achieved by pushing the joystick in the direction of the shooter's forehand then pushing the joystick forward. Finally, the slapshot is achieved by pulling the joystick back (down position) then pushing it forward. A player can increase the power of a backhand or wrist shot by rolling the joystick back from the side (push joystick to one side, then follow the circle to the bottom.)
Spoiler Alert: Strategies and/or hints/tips follow
With the new skill stick feature, players are able to deke out their opponents, some of the time which automated deking actions will take place. If you come up to an opposing defender, have the puck to one side then quickly switch the puck to the other side. If done correctly, the skater will push the puck past the defender then go around him. Also, a spin move can be achieved by pushing the joystick to one side, then rolling it quickly to the other side(For example, have the joystick to the right, then roll it to the bottom, then the left in one quick motion.)Do not roll it through the top or the player will shoot! Finally, a player can also deke the goalie. The best strategy for dekeing the goalie is skate up to the goalie while you have the puck, but before he is close enough to poke-check the skater, quickly skate in the direction of a backhand shot and go into the backhand. The goalie will react by trying to make a save in that direction. Then quickly switch to the forehand and shoot into the open net. CAUTION: The goalie will dive in the opposite direction of his original save attempt, so as soon as he starts to react to the skater's backhand move, switch to the forehand and shoot. <p>-End spoiler- <p>Commentary is provided by Gary Thorne and Bill Clement for the Xbox 360 version of the game, however Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson return for the current generation versions. NHL 07 for the Xbox 360 features analog stick control and a brand new physics system which eliminates the magnetic type possession of the puck which has been used in past NHL games. The Xbox 360 Demo was released on Marketplace on September 7, 2006. The demo features a shootout between the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes. The settings allowed the NHL shootout rules to be turned off, to allow the player the ability to easily learn the new control scheme. Washington Capitals forward and 2006 Calder Trophy winner Alexander Ovechkin is featured on the cover.
Game covers
As traditional with EA Sports, their boxes featured live action photos instead of drawings.
As it lacked the NHLPA license, the early titles had staged photos without real players. NHLPA Hockey 93, on the other hand, had the rights to use player image, but not of the teams. In this cover, the staged photo is surrounded by eight small portraits of players (Steve Yzerman, Andy Moog, Pat LaFontaine, Brian Leetch, Ray Bourque, Patrick Roy, Jeremy Roenick and Rick Tocchet). This changed with NHL 94, which featured a goal situation for Tomas Sandström (LA Kings) against Andy Moog (Boston). NHL 95 featured an in-goal camera during a goal scored by Alexei Kovalev of the New York Rangers during the '94 Stanley Cup Finals.NHL 96 featured New Jersey's Scott Stevens and Detroit's Steve Yzerman.
Since NHL 97, each cover features only one player, with John Vanbiesbrouck (Panthers) being the first. He was followed by Peter Forsberg (Colorado, NHL'98), Eric Lindros, (Flyers, NHL'99), Chris Pronger, (St. Louis Blues, NHL 2000) in the nordic countries Markus Näslund Vancouver Canucks was on the cover of NHL 2000., Owen Nolan, (Sharks, NHL 2001) in the nordic countries Jere Lehtinen Dallas Stars was on the cover of NHL 2001., Mario Lemieux, (Penguins, NHL 2002), Jarome Iginla, (Calgary, NHL 2003), Dany Heatley and Joe Sakic, (Atlanta Thrashers and Colorado, respectively, in NHL 2004), Markus Näslund, (Vancouver) in NHL 2005, Tuomo Ruutu (Chicago Blackhawks) and Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay) in NHL 06 and Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) in NHL 07.
The European versions might sometimes have different cover players, for example Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers)on the cover of NHL 07 sold in Sweden, or Teemu Selänne (Anaheim Ducks) sold in Finland.
Commentary
Live play-by-play commentary was introduced for NHL 97. Jim Hughson, one of Canada's best-known hockey announcers, has provided the play-by-play for the entire series, excluding the Xbox 360 version of NHL 07, which will be provided by Gary Thorne. Color commentary has been provided by Daryl Reaugh (98-99), Bill Clement (2000-01, 2007 (Xbox 360)), Don Taylor (2002-03) and Craig Simpson (2004-06).
Soundtracks
NHL 2000 was the first game in the series to feature fully-licenced music from known rock bands such as Garbage, Uberzone and Gearwhore. Later versions have since featured names like The Tea Party, Franz Ferdinand, Billy Talent, Collective Soul, Barenaked Ladies, Gob, Jimmy Eat World and Avenged Sevenfold. The in-game soundtrack is titled EA Sports Trax since 2002.
NHL series in popular culture
Swingers
The removal of fights in NHL Hockey 94 was addressed in the 1996 movie Swingers:
- Trent: I wish they still had fights in this game so I could bitch-slap Wayne.
- Mike: What? They don't have fighting anymore?
- Trent: Doesn't that suck?
- Mike: Why'd they get rid of the fighting? It was the best part of the old version.
- Sue: I think kids were hittin' each other or somethin', man.
- Trent: Yeah but you know what, Mike? You can make their heads bleed in this one.
- Mike: Make somebody's head bleed.
- Sue: No man, we're in the playoffs.
- Trent: I'm gonna make Wayne Gretzky's head bleed for super-fan #99 over here.
However, this is not completely accurate, as bleeding players were also removed. They also were playing NHLPA Hockey '93 which had blood and fighting but the fighting was strategic and players like Gretzky would not have fought. In the original NHL Hockey, Gretzky was able to fight.
Chasing Amy
Kevin Smith's 1997 movie Chasing Amy featured Banky and Holden playing one version of NHL Hockey, but it was not the first time Smith used a hockey game: Sega's All Star Hockey featured on Mallrats with a main character, Brodie Bruce, playing as the Hartford Whalers.
See also
External links
- Free playable NHL 97
- EA Sports NHL '06 Official Website
- MobyGames page on the series
- NHL94.com (frequently updated NHL 94 resource)
- EA Sports NHL '07 Official Website (Latest version of the NHL series)
- NHL custom covers
- Old School Hockey League (NHL94 League)
