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Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98

Rated KA for Kids to Adults

Platform:

Nintendo 64 (N64)

Publisher:

Midway

Developer:

Software Creations

Released:

December 1997

ROM Size:

64 megabits

Players:

Software Creations

Genre:

Sports (Hockey)

Save:

Controller Pak (61 pages)

Optional:

None

 

 

> Final Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0

Introduction

The only reason I'm reviewing Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98 is because I had to rent the game for a magazine writing assignment, anyway. The game, as you probably know, is basically the same as the original version. The two are so similar, in fact, that the codes from '97 will work in '98. There are a few differences, though. First, the game saves a lot more statistics and, subsequently, needs many more pages on the Controller Pak. Second, the rosters have been updated and enlarged. Third, defensive intelligence has been improved. Fourth, there are new "Player Cards" that track player's personal records.

 

You might want to do a comparison of the ratings I gave the two games. Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98 got worse ratings because it hasn't stood the test of time. You'll also notice that if you average all the scores of the first game that I really slammed it. I gave the first one a 3.0 overall while the actual average was 3.5. Well, I was really upset by the lack of simulation in it. I've gotten over it now.

Conclusion

So if you stumbled in here by accident, here's all you need to know. One, Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98 is only good if you are a casual hockey fan who's looking for a fast, fun game for up to four players. If you want even a hint of simulation in your hockey game, go get NHL Breakaway '98. Two, if you're going to get a version, you might as well get the '98 version, unless there's a big price difference. If you already own the first one, then there's absolutely no need to get this version, because if you think you need it, then you are probably a bigger hockey fan than you thought.

 

Graphics:

3.8

Sound:

3.1

Control:

3.4

Gameplay:

2.9

Lastability

3.3

OVERALL:

3.0

 

DOWN THE ROAD

Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98 is one of the biggest wastes of silicon to come along in some time. Yes, it's shameless that Midway essentially released the same game with updated rosters and the ability to save more statistics—but it's nothing more than what EA Sports did for a while. What is bad, though, is not all that many people really care about the game. Sure, the first one was great multi-player fun (for a few), but why would they spend another $60 or $70 to get the same thing? There's absolutely nothing good about Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98 to warrant its purchase.

 

Review by: Scott McCall

First Reviewed: March 12, 1998

Appendix Added: May 1, 1998

 

 

 

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