Hockey may not be the most popular sport in the United States, but there's no denying how fun it is when put into video game form. There's constant fast-paced movement, hitting other players, skilled goal-scoring, crisp passes, and fighting all rolled up into one experience. As impressive and complex as hockey games have gotten over the years, there's something special about the ones that came out a long time ago.
In honor of that thought, we've decided to look throughout history and discover the best hockey games released back then. These could be officially licensed by the NHL or feature made-up teams. They could be realistic simulation attempts or wacky arcade-style games. Either way, here are the 10 best old school hockey games.
10 NHL Breakaway 98
Released on PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo 64, NHL Breakaway 98 was the first hockey game ever released by Acclaim. It was met with mostly favorable reviews, especially on the N64. To stand out in the crowded pack of hockey games from the '90s, this game needed something different. They had it with their checking system.
NHL Breakaway 98Â used momentum to determine the way hits would be delivered. It was rare for a sports game at the time to take into account the size and speed of a player when he'd deliver a check. This game was also noted for allowing you to edit players and the two-player versus mode.
9 NHL Slapshot
Though 2010 may seem very recent, it is still about a decade ago so that counts as "old school" enough for this list. Back then, the Nintendo Wii was producing games that changed the way we played at home. Their motion sensor controller was sometimes too gimmicky, but there were times where it made perfect sense.
NHL Slapshot was one of those times. It featured a hockey stick peripheral that you could attach to the Wii remote and nunchuck. That allowed players to feel like they were using an actual hockey stick to score their goals. A majority of the reviews for NHL Slapshot were positive as players enjoyed the unique experience.
8 Ice Hockey
A simple name for a simple game, yet one that shouldn't get overlooked. In 1988, Ice Hockey came out for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Though it didn't have the official backing of the NHL, they found a clever way around it by making the teams based on countries. It was like a World Cup of hockey.
Though it is sometimes a forgotten classic, Ice Hockey has been properly praised in the past. Nintendo Power and IGN both included it on their respective lists of top NES games. One of the characters has even gone on to make an appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
7 Mutant League Hockey
Widely considered to be the best non-NHL licensed hockey game for the Sega Genesis, Mutant League Hockey was released in 1994. It was a spin-off from the popular Mutant League Football series. This iteration featured a lot of the same players and teams, though fewer species of mutants.
Gamers could control skeletons, robots, and trolls on the ice. What made this so fun was how special things happened during gameplay. There were hazards on the ice like land mines and holes, while players could bribe referees or cause the puck to explode. Some players could even die. These things made each game feel unique and you might not find a more fun old school hockey game.
6 2 On 2 Open Ice Challenge
Everybody remembers NBA Jam. That zany 2 on 2 basketball game is still a favorite at arcades around the world. 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge was made in the same vein. Developed by Midway Games and released in arcades and on the PlayStation during the mid to late 90s. Fans were excited at how different this was for its time.
Many reviewers pointed to how open ice arcade-style hockey games like this weren't available at the time. It was a breath of fresh air. The game was credited for various easter eggs, variety of moves, and the smooth animation style. Shortly after it was released, an arcade version of 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge was placed in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
5 NHL 2K2
2K Sports isn't exactly known for their hockey games. They had a dynamite football game before EA Sports got exclusive rights to the NFL and their basketball game has been the best on the market for about a decade now. But people forget just how stellar NHL 2K2 was when it came out.
NHL 2K2 improved things like the poke checking system, stickhandling, deflections, and goalie A.I. It made a simulation hockey game cool by focusing on all of the little things that make the sport so great and unique. There was no other release quite like NHL 2K2 when it was released. It was also notable for being the final game released for the Sega Dreamcast.
4 NHL Hitz 2003
Midway Games always excelled at delivering an alternative take on sports. They did it with NFL Blitz and MLB Slugfest, but one of their best efforts was NHL Hitz 2003. The game allowed players to just go out and have a wacky good time. Want to create a character with a shark head? It's possible. Want to play your game on the moon? You could.
None of those cool things would matter if the gameplay wasn't addictive. Thankfully, it was a blast. The quick 3-on-3 style isn't one found often and that has helped the game remain relevant over a decade later. The game featured shortened rosters that included only the most popular players on each team so even the most casual of fans could enjoy.
3 NHLPA Hockey '93
There has often been talk about this being in the conversation for the best arcade-style hockey game ever created. NHLPA Hockey '93 certainly has a claim to being part of that argument. It was the second installment in Electronic Arts' hockey franchise. However, it had the odd distinction of getting licensed by the NHLPA but not the NHL. That meant it included real NHL players, but none of the teams or logos.
Regardless of what teams were involved, the gameplay was satisfying. Powerful breakaways, smooth skating, and impressive goals were fun. But this game found its calling card with the fighting engine. It remains the best in hockey game history. Fighting is more addictive than playing the sport in this one.
2 Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey
When you have the greatest player in history attached to your game, you need to deliver. Thankfully, Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey did just that. Released near the end of 1996 for the arcade and the Nintendo 64, it was kind of historic. This marked the first 4 player game for the N64.
The arcade format for this game made it a ton of fun. It included things like power saves, high scoring games, and an over the top fighting system that stood out. The game moved smoothly because most of the animation was modeled after Gretzky himself. Most magazines lauded most of the game's aspects.
1 NHL '94
The gold standard of hockey video games. NHL '94 is widely considered to be the best hockey game ever created and some flat out call it the greatest sports game of all time. It arrived in October of 1993 and has remained dominant in this department ever since. Incredible controls, slick gameplay, and a shootout mini-game all made this such a fun play.
NHL '94 was given perfect scores by many of the people reviewing it. You can even say it has become more of a pop culture icon than a sports game. It was so popular that a version of it was included in NHL 14 to celebrate the anniversary. That ended up being one of the best and most popular aspects of that entry.