ESPN National League Hockey Night

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a game by Sony Imagesoft
Genre: Sports
Platform: Sega GenesisGenesis
Editor Rating: 6/10, based on 3 reviews
User Rating: 8.0/10 - 2 votes
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See also: Sport Games, Hockey Games, ESPN Games
ESPN National League Hockey Night
ESPN National League Hockey Night
ESPN National League Hockey Night
ESPN National League Hockey Night

A world leader in sports coverage has lent their name to this fast-action, hardhitting hockey game featuring all of the actual NHL teams.

The music and the sound effects are brilliant and the players are larger than life. The digitized speech by Bill Clement, ESPN Hockey Night announcer, before and during the game is totally awesome. The game can be played from two different views, from the side or vertical. Statistics are kept during each game and the percentage of faceoffs won, passing percentage shots on goal, and the number of body checks you hand out are but a few of the stats tallied for you. You can turn line changes and penalties on or off before you play.

The play is fairly realistic, and they did a nice job. It's a good start, but like an expansion team, this game will not make it to the Stanley Cup play-offs of gaming, but it is solid and gamers will have good, quality fun with it.

Download ESPN National League Hockey Night

Genesis

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
  • Game modes: Single game mode

Player controls:

  • Up, Down, Left, Right - Arrow keys
  • Start - Enter (Pause, Menu select, Skip intro, Inventory)
  • "A" Gamepad button - Ctrl (usually Jump or Change weapon)
  • "B" button - Space (Jump, Fire, Menu select)
  • "C" button - Left Shift (Item select)

Use the F12 key to toggle mouse capture / release when using the mouse as a controller.

Game Reviews

At first glance, ESPN Hockey's eye-catching graphics set off sirens. But once you lace up your skates, its control flaws and sluggish action dim the excitement.

A Strong Start

This game doesn't skimp on the game-play options: Players choose any NHL team for exhibition, playoff, or full-season action, and ESPN's Bill Clement calls the shots. Although real player names aren't provided, their NHL jersey numbers and matching '93-'94 stats are, which is close enough.

ProTip: Until you master the controls, slapshots offer your best chance of scoring.

During a match, you can switch between vertical and side views, an awesome feature that should please many gamers. The Season mode, another highlight, lets you pick a team and play as many games on the schedule as you like, and the CPU will finish the remaining games.

Denied in the Open Net

Once the puck is dropped, you'll be struck by this game's odd combination of excellent and disappointing features.

For example, the well-detailed player sprites move smoothly, but it's often difficult to determine if players are left- or right-handed. Sharp skating and stick noises are muffled by terrible grunts and thumps, and the organ music will make you plead for mercy.

The side and vertical views provide very different perspectives on the action, so pause whenever necessary to switch between views.

The game really stumbles over its soupy controls. Skating, passing, and checking aren't tight enough to make for an intense game, and you end up feeling like you're muddling around.

For tight defense, use your feet -- stick to the player with the puck and maneuver him away from the goalie. Missing a key check often hangs the goalie out to dry.

If you can ignore these flaws, the adjustable challenge will keep you playing -- the hardest setting makes for a tough match. But when a superb hockey game like EA Sports' NHL '95 is available, you shouldn't settle for second best.

Play as any of the teams from the NHL at the time this game was made and since it's officially licensed, the teams are all real. True hockey fanatics will want to take all of the challenges of a full Season but there are exhibition modes as well if you don't feel like enduring the whole season of grueling matches. But if you're not up for grueling matches, Ice Hockey isn't the game for you.

ESPN National League Hockey Night is the first hockey game on the Genesis to feature two views of the ice: a horizontal and vertical perspective, which can be switched at any time by going into the option screen. The game also features 26 NHL teams based on the 1993-94 season, players represented by position and number (the lack of an NHLPA license means no player names), and battery backup to save season progress, statistics and options. Modes of play include Exhibition, Challenge, Playoffs (one game or best-of-seven) and a full 84-game Season. The NHL Skills Challenge lets players take part in two events: the Fastest Man and Shootout competition.

The Fastest Man contest challenges you to race around the ice as fast as possible, while the Shootout tests your shooting ability as you compete for highest scoring percentage. ESPN National League Hockey Night also lets players customize the following options: penalties (on, off or only offsides off), game length (five, ten or twenty minute periods), line changes (on or off), and difficulty (beginner, amateur or pro). Former NHL All-Star and ESPN analyst Bill Clement will introduce team matchups with voice clips, and over 2,000 frames of motion-captured animation were used in an attempt to create realistic player movement.

Snapshots and Media

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Screenshots