NHL 97
First NHL game on PlayStation and Saturn.
NHL 97 is an ice hockey video game by EA Sports, released in 1996 as the sixth installment of the NHL series. It was the first entry in the series to be released on both PlayStation and Sega Saturn, and a version for the Panasonic M2 was in development but never released due to the system's cancellation. The cover features goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, who played for the Florida Panthers between 1993 and 1998.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- High Score Entertainment (Genesis)
- Ceris Software (SNES)
- EA Canada (PC)
- Visual Concepts (PS, Saturn)
- Publisher
- EA Sports; Black Pearl Software (SNES)
- Composer
- Mark Chosak
- David Whittaker (Genesis)
- Jeff van Dyck (Windows)
- Engine
- Virtual Stadium
- Series
- NHL
- Platforms
- MS-DOS
- Windows
- Super NES
- PlayStation
- Sega Saturn
- Genesis/Mega Drive
- Genre
- Sports (ice hockey)
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
NHL 97 uses a full 3D engine with motion captured polygonal players on the PC, PlayStation, and Sega Saturn versions, while the Genesis and SNES versions retain similar graphical values to previous games but with further enhanced animations. Each goaltender has a custom-painted mask viewable in a special Goalie Mask Viewer. Play-by-play commentary is provided by announcer Jim Hughson. National teams return for the first time since EA Hockey, with Canada, the United States, and Russia having their own teams and the other two being selections of best European players. A skills competition lets players compete in drills such as hardest shot, goalie 2 on 0, and accuracy shooting. Alternate jerseys are available for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Vancouver Canucks. Each team has one player with a special skill, such as Joe Sakic's wrong-footed wrist shot or Rob Ray's ability to check while controlling the puck. A glitch allows 100% scoring when shooting down against the boards at the hash marks of the left circle in the bottom zone. Fighting can be enabled or disabled, though certain players will not fight. The shot speed on PlayStation and Saturn versions is slow enough that some skaters can beat a slapshot down the ice.
Reception
The Windows version of NHL 97 was the 20th best-selling computer game of 1996 in the United States, according to market research firm PC Data. Next Generation gave the Genesis version a rave review, stating it retained the classic feel of the series while improving AI and adding new special moves, fixes, and features, and firmly denied that a Genesis version was obsolete. GamePro's Air Hendrix was enthusiastic about the Genesis version, praising the inclusion of extra teams, new special moves, and both old and new animations, as well as the Skill Challenge and Practice modes. However, GamePro's Major Mike was less impressed by the Super NES version, commenting that it was almost identical to the previous year's offering with the same gameplay engine and options, the only real change being updated rosters.
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