TV Sports Hockey

~ TV SPORTS HOCKEY ~

Cinemaware / NEC

HuCard

1991

I bought TV Sports Hockey back when it was originally released, and I liked it at first. But then I had the chance to play NHL Hockey for Genesis, which seemed so much more realistic and impressive. At this point, the only things I like about TVSH are the close-up graphics and the title-screen music. Let's cover a few of the primary problems:

-The passing game is unforgivably sloppy. You have to aim in the general direction you want to send the pass and pray that the puck goes tape to tape.

-You must abide by a ridiculous, old-fashioned "moving arrow" system when determining the direction of your shot.

-The action is very slow on the whole.

-The option to compete against another player is practically worthless because a team with a very fast line can easily outskate the competition and create countless breakaway opportunities.

-The game simply doesn't simulate real hockey (as far as player positioning, on-ice action, etc.) nearly as well as NHL.

Teams represent different countries this time. No more "Sharks" or "Zombies."

No more long season modes, either. Just a quick tourney.

Attribute ratings are assigned to units rather than to individual players (except in the cases of goalies).

Shoot when the arrow's in the right spot, a la Blades of Steel.

The close-ups look pretty good... relatively speaking.

Goal!