NHL '99 for Sony Playstation
Developed by Electronic Arts

When EA Sports put out NHL '97 for the Sony Playstation, gamers and hockey fans were ready. NHL '97, however, wasn't … it blew. Terrible gameplay, equally bad graphics (first polygon-based hockey game ever), and terrible artificial intelligence.

EA picked it up with NHL '98, and I was pleased, though I still held the grudge from '97. When NHL '99 came out, I expected another modest improvement and a slew of disappointments. Not so.

NHL '99 is by far and away the best sports game ever for the Playstation. The teams' jerseys are painstakingly detailed; the logos and names are actually readable. The gameplay is beyond any other current game: exciting, challenging, endlessly engaging.

The arenas are well crafted replicas; banners hang inside and the intro leading to the actual game is a fly-by of the stadiums. The create-a-player mode is great also. Suddenly I'm a 6'4", 210 lb., speedy hoss with a MacInnis-like slapper and the moves of Gretzky and a visor. Just like in real life.

The only drawbacks are the typical EA Sports shortcomings. The play-by-play is ALWAYS behind the play. And word to the wise: be ahead by two goals at least before the last two minutes of the game. The computer WILL ALWAYS catch up or win. It's the EA Miracle On Ice.

Overall, the satisfaction factor is huge. Add a Dual Shock controller, and the vibrations never end with countless checking. I don't know if they'll top this … to appropriately knock me out, NHL 2000 will have to be able to say my name AND say it right when I score my fourth goal of the first period, then give me a victory BJ.

Loud Bassoon rating scale

Review by Mo' Rice