Wayne Gretzky is an NHL legend. “The Great One” currently holds 40 regular season records, 15 playoff records and six All-Star records. He is the only NHL player to have recorded 200 points in a season. But how is his virtual game?
If you didn’t play Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey on the N64 as a child, you missed out (or maybe I’m just dating myself). Needless to say, the game was a hit. Now, EA Sports looks to use Gretzky’s Midas Touch when they release NHL Slapshot for the Nintendo Wii on Sept. 7. Slapshot is EA’s first puck game, designed specifically for the Wii, and its features are already turning heads.
“EA Sports has been making great hockey games in Canada for 20 years now, and the team behind the game is really passionate about the sport,” Gretzky says. “Being on the cover of the new Wii version of the game is exciting and is probably going to make me a bit cooler in the eyes of my kids.”
A split-screen shootout mode makes this game look pretty sick. You can play from Pee Wees to the pros, or become Gretzky in “Be the Next Great One” mode. However, what really sets NHL Slapshot apart from the competition is how gamers control the puck.
STACK’s Favorite Feature: The Controller

Deke, check and shoot with the all-new NHL Slapshot Hockey Stick controller. Easy to pick up, the controls react to the movements of the stick. Crosscheck an opponent by pressing your stick forward, or wind up for a slap shot, just like the real thing. Plug the Wii Remote and Nunchuk into the hockey stick to take over any game, like a true NHL All-Star.
Check out video of STACK’s exclusive first look at EA Sport’s NHL Slapshot at the annual E3 gaming convention, held at the L.A. Convention Center.

NHL Slapshot is currently in development at EA Canada in Vancouver. It is available for pre-order at easports.com.
Source:  easports.com
Photo:  EA Sports