NHL Breakaway 98


NHL Breakaway 98 is a 1997 ice hockey video game for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64. It was the first hockey game to come from Acclaim Entertainment. The Nintendo 64 version has Rumble Pak support. It was followed by a sequel, NHL Breakaway 99, released the following year.

Features

NHL Breakaway 98 has a momentum-based checking system. Players can out-skate and out-muscle each other, depending on a player's size and speed. Some players are small but fast, while others are slow but possess strength and size. If a large, fast player such as Eric Lindros gets moving at high speed, the power behind his check is greater than what someone like Pierre Turgeon could produce.

Gameplay

Two players can compete in the Versus mode. If a player is edited, the name and number appear on the player's back. The game does not feature play-by-play announcers, but there is a public address announcer that only speaks when penalties are called, and when a player scores a goal, the name and number are said.

Reception

The Nintendo 64 version received "favorable" reviews, while the PlayStation version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. Reviewers were split about the PlayStation version; GameSpot and IGN both hailed it as a strong entrance into the crowded hockey genre by Acclaim, while GamePro and Next Generation opined that though it has some good features, it fails to effectively compete against established franchises from EA Sports and Sony Computer Entertainment. Where Next Generation said the graphics are rough and GamePro said the players move stiffly, GameSpot and IGN both said the graphics and animation are incredibly detailed and lifelike. And while GameSpot asserted that "Even my puck-head of a roommate who is still addicted to NHL 96 for the Sega Genesis could immediately play Breakaway without being intimidated by the control", GamePro maintained that "the unruly movements of your players make controlling them very frustrating", and Next Generation found that "The speed is so intense that it takes away from the control and strategy by making the game a bit random. Often a goal will happen and no one realizes it until the players start to celebrate." IGN, which called the momentum-based checking "one of the most innovative features ever to appear in a hockey game", summarized that "Acclaim has definitely poured its hearts into its initial entry -- and it shows." On the other side, Next Generation concluded that "Breakaway is a solid hockey game that would've been best a year ago. However, strong showings by all the major competitors make this one that can be missed."