Ice Hockey Atari 2600 Review - The No Swear Gamer Ep 319

[@anactualmotherbear]

Phil Hartman was really into this game, I mean REALLY into it!

[@sandal_thong8631]

And Tina Fey was really into Medieval Madness pinball.

[@youforget1000thingsaday]

This looks great for an atari game. Very impressive.

[@markstahl1464]

I've noticed a phenomenon where the computer (usually when it's losing by several goals) goes on a streak where it decides it's going to score, and there's no two ways about it; it's going to score. Their forward will start blitzing toward me in a furious onslaught, and if I do manage to steal the puck, he'll somehow snatch the puck from behind and immediately put it in the goal, or if I manage to clear the puck and have a wide open shot, my fire button will suddenly stop working, and I'll either not take the shot or take the shot late and miss. The computer has proven itself to get back into the game in a matter of seconds during these phases. Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon? If this is true, it would be quite innovative in that it would be one of the first games with variable difficulty levels that adapt to keep games artificially close.

[@BudSchnelker]

You know, I think you're right!

[@raphaeljohnlall]

We're in 2021 and this year marks the 40th anniversary of this game. This game laid the foundation for future Hockey Video Games that would come after. It's still fun to play today...

[@BanditTheCat2017]

That ranking the games you have reviewed is a great gimmick. I love lists, and watching one come together like that? pure gold

[@thenosweargamer1449]

Thanks!

[@markstahl1464]

I love your backstory! This game is amazing.

[@beerhammer1881]

Loved this game when it came out!

[@mark-andrews]

Fantastic introduction to this game, thanks. Btw agreed great fun to play.

[@BriansManCave]

Don't have the physical cartridge yet but I have played this on a few emulators... It's a good improvement to your typical pong :)

[@thenosweargamer1449]

That's for sure!

[@patsfan4life]

How can you compare this to Pong? This is groundbreaking sports action for a home console...

[@TheWitchingHourBand]

Rangers vs the north stars nice

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

First ever pond hockey simulator?

[@xavierjmj]

Cylons on ice

[@bruceblumhagen2878]

Great game!! Love the reviews!!!!

[@thenosweargamer1449]

Thank You!

[@asdrubalchirinos]

Definitely one of the best Atari 2600 games! I love it and play it to exhaustion! But I remember the computer to cheat on me when "she" was losing... scoring 2 points for a goal at certain moments. Can anyone confirm this?

[@markstahl1464]

I can beat the computer on both Games 1 and 3, but I actually find the fast puck game (Game 3) to be a lot easier and a lot more fun than the slow puck game.

[@awwrelic]

Wonder what would have happened if Activision had licensed Slap Shot for this game? Well, I think that the "kid-friendly" rating would go completely out the window :)

[@frankschneider6156]

Activision Ice Hockey was one of the earliest Activision games and came out before Slap shot, so licensing it would have required time travel, making it kind if difficult, although T-1000s should be capable of it.

[@xavierjmj]

Do you believe in miracles?!?

[@patsfan4life]

This is a great two player sports / action game for the 2600 and I wish I had had a copy growing up.... Just as good as Activision Tennis (and that is saying something)

[@asdrubalchirinos]

Activision's Tennis and Beach Volleyball were also great games! Enjoy them a lot!

[@1524mike]

I don’t know what’s more awesome, referring to the Green Bay Packers or the T-1000. Nice job. Also, I can’t remember last time I heard the Expos.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

CMO?...

[@frankschneider6156]

Your story has a serious flaw: we all know that the only game allowed in the future will we be Rollerball (hopefully with the special Jonathan E rules applied), that is unless Hockey is willing to change, and introduces motor bikes with spikes, makes unnecessary roughness mandatory and allows usage of grenades and bazookas

[@thenosweargamer1449]

Now I can't stop picturing motor bikes on the rink riding by Mad Max type players...

[@bmkretrogaming7634]

Sweet review Phil! I own a physical copy of this one, and agree that it's a nice hockey game for the Atari VCS/2600.

[@tomfinlay7373]

Nice to see this. My record was 50-0 set on B-B.

[@WowplayerMe]

Best. Back Story. Ever!

[@Rasdock]

Dear Activision, Please send a patch to my son Juan. I witnessed his modified Green Packer T-1000 beat the computer opponent soundly. Signed, Epstein's Mother

[@thenosweargamer1449]

That's great!

[@jimgoebel5348]

GMO free? ugh.

[@thenosweargamer1449]

Sorry Jim. It was a recommendation from marketing. They told me it's the hottest thing going right now and would really boost viewership. I"ll go back and tell them "But Jim said..."

[@Coyotek4]

Wow … I liked Ice Hockey a lot back in the day, but not at #4 overall. It's not even my favorite 'sports' game … that would be Slalom.