NHL Slapshot Review

Fans of EA's NHL series have been waiting and begging for a Wii game that take advantage of the motion controls of the system, and EA has answered with NHL Slapshot. For those looking for a realistic sim game of the coolest game on ice, you'll be disappointed at the arcade feel of the game. The game features full 5-on-5 gameplay allowing players to play as their favorite teams and players.

What makes the gameplay unique is the use of a controller shell that is included with the game in the shape of a hockey stick. Once the stick is assembled, you place the Wii remote and nunchuck inside and gives the player the feeling of shooting the puck and delivering big hits. Flicking the stick forward lets go of a wrist shot, winding back and going forward allows for a big slapshot. Passing is done with the A button, while checks are delivered by horizontally positioning the stick and moving it forward, a move you will enjoy doing over and over again knocking other players down to the ice.

The game moves at a very fast pace and there is very little slow down with players skating very fluidly and smooth animations. With TV style presentation, the play-by-play is what you expect from a sports game but isn't too detailed with what happens on the ice.

There are various game modes in the game. The game allows you to play as CHL, AHL and NHL teams through the regular season and playoffs as you try to win the championship. One interesting mode has players begin playing pee-wee hockey and make their way to the pros. Learning the fundamentals of the game as you progress along your journey to the pros and hockey's ultimate goal, the Stanley Cup. And what Wii sports game is complete without mini-games. The mini-games in Slapshot include, Free 4 All where 4 players play against each other trying to score the most goals. Classic shootout has players 1-on-1 with the CPU goalie, Shooter Vs. Goalie has one player shooting and the other stopping the puck, and 2-on-2 allows you to play with a friend.

NHL Slapshot is a great first game from EA on the Wii. It won't replace the sim feel of the NHL series, but give players a different feel and new way to play hockey on a home console. But for those what enjoyed playing Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey on the Nintendo 64 but don't enjoy the sim feel of the NHL series then this is a game that you should play and will probably enjoy playing with your friends.