Customer Reviews

NHL Hockey '94

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For pure enjoyment no other hockey game can compete. Sure PS1 and PS2 games have better graphics, more choices and abilities, I think I even saw one game that offered a momentum factor. But for sheer fun and constant replayability no other game can equal this one. It was featured in the classic movie, "Swingers" for a reason, that reason being that almost everyone I know who was either in high school or college when that game came out played it religiously. Well, most males I know. I know there was and is a whole host of more up to date hockey games out there, but something about this one makes it different. In NHL94 there was no fighting, but there was the ability to "make little Wayne's head bleed" (a la "Swingers") and the one timer and deke move are still there. Line changes and goalie control are both manual and automatic depending on your playing style. This game, quite simply, changed my view of the world.

And, to top it all off, you can still play as the Whale...

First off let me say that NHL94 is unquestionably the greatest video game of all time. However a certain myth about the game has surfaced in one pop culture reference. I feel it's my duty as the games's greatest player and ambassador to dispell the misrepresentation. Many people think that "Swingers" featured Trent & Sue playing NHL94 in the movie. This is not true. They were playing NHL93, a great game by all accounts but no NHL94. I believe this myth began because the characters incorrectly had a discussion involving the inability to fight in the game. They then went on to make Wayne's head bleed which was presented as the violent tradeoff for the lack of fighting. However as many people know there was both fighting and head bleeding in NHL93 while NHL94 had neither. I hope this clears up any confusion.

Even after 11yrs, this game is still fun to play. From the old teams (hartford and quebec) to the one-timers, NHL 94 is a great game to play. There is something to be said about the older, simpler games with just 3 control buttons. Playing as the visiting team, and hearing that classic "Booing" from the home crowd when you score is just excellent stuff!! The newer games are incredible, but you almost have to take a class to learn how to play them. With this SEGA game, you can just start up and play. Maybe thats the way it should be...

I got this game when it came out in late '93. I was addicted immediately. Ten years later I'm still playing it with my little brother and all. I can't explain why it is still one of the best games I own -- most of the players have either been traded or have retired, some of the teams don't even exist anymore (Quebec Nordiques anyone?) but for some reason the tempo, the camera view, the speedy goal tricks, the smashing of pixelated characters into penalty boxes and benches -- all of it comes together in this game to make a perfect blend of gameplay, ease, and replay value that still haven't gotten old.

Quick tips for any players -- Roenick is damn near unstoppable on the break, Selanne is the fastest in the game, and the breakaway triple-deke is nearly unblockable. This game can't be put down!

NHL 94 was a game ahead of its time. EA didn't have as many innovations in any NHL game until the early 2000s as in 94. The one-timer, broken glass, and interactive crowd. This is a must-have for any hockey fan!

NHL '95 is still the best hockey game ever released. This is behind it in so many ways, including graphics, and momentum. It takes a while for the action and tension to build, so beware of really boring games. There is also slowdown and clipping, so you should probably buy something else instead.