NHL 97

"Skill-testing minigames and excellent gameplay make this a must-have if you have a Genesis!"

NHL '97 was released when the Genesis was in its last years. This game, however, proves that EA Sports showed no sign of slowing down with 16-bit games before the end of the old Sega.

There are several different gameplay modes. You can do a single game, a season, playoffs, or shootout.. In playoffs, you can do a single elimination mode or best-of-7 mode. During the season, you can end it at any time, and if you make the playoffs, it is always a best-of-seven mode, which is one of the only drawbacks of the game if you prefer a single elimination mode in the playoffs. Then again, you can always do them separately.

You can also keep your records for stats like highest passing percentage, most goals, fastest goal (from faceoff), and even everyone's Win-Loss-Tie record.

One of my favorite features of the game is the Skills Challenge, which is made up of four minigames.

In puck control relay, my favorite minigame, you control three players, one at a time. They skate to get the puck, then skate around the cones and give it to the next person.

Another minigame is puck blast. You run up to the puck and shoot it, and it tells you the speed you shot it at.

A minigame called accuracy shooting has a player shoot several pucks at targets. The object is to hit as many of the four targets as you can within the time limit. It's not easy, though.

The last minigame tests your reaction time. You are the goalie and the players fire 10 shots at you, one at a time. The object is to stop as many of them as you can.

In general manager mode, you can trade, create, sign, and release players. Want a player, but don't want to get rid of one of your other players? Just release the player you want from his team, and sign him to your team. In create-a-player mode, you can create up to 19 players, enough to create your own team.

The games can last either 15, 30, or 60 minutes (5, 10, and 20 minute periods respectively). You can choose between three skill levels: Rookie, Pro, and All-Star, and also turn penalties off.

Don't forget about the line changes! You can turn them off, make them automatic (changing before each faceoff), or manually change them by pressing the button that corresponds to the line, depending on which line is on the ice.

Graphics: 8/10
There aren't the best graphics I've seen on the Genesis, but they are pretty good.

Sound: 9/10
I just love the organ music. The sound effects are great, too.

Gameplay: 9/10
One word: Excellent. Sometimes you score a goal when you don't expect to, and vice versa. Well, that's part of hockey!

Controls: 10/10
Simple. B is to pass and C is to shoot. All three are to change lines.

Replayability: 8/10
Although I don't like to play this game all the time, I like to play it more than my other games for the Genesis.

Fun Factor: 9/10
By itself, the regular game is pretty fun, but the minigames and shootout mode make it even more fun.

Overall: 9/10
If you have a Genesis, get this game, especially if you like hockey. You won't be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/02/02, Updated 08/04/02