Software:NHL 97

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NHL 97
Cover art featuring John Vanbiesbrouck
Developer(s)High Score Productions (Genesis)
Ceris Software (SNES)
EA Canada (PC)
Visual Concepts (PS, Saturn)
Publisher(s)EA Sports
Black Pearl Software (SNES)
Composer(s)Mark Chosak
David Whittaker (Genesis)
Jeff van Dyck (Windows)
SeriesNHL series
EngineVirtual Stadium
Platform(s)PlayStation
PC (DOS/Windows)
SNES
Mega Drive/Genesis
Saturn
ReleaseGenesis
PC
  • NA: September 27, 1996[2]
PlayStation
  • NA: November 11, 1996[3]
  • EU: November 1996
Saturn
SNES
  • NA: 1996
  • EU: November 28, 1996
Genre(s)Sports - Ice Hockey Sim
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

NHL 97 is an ice hockey video game by EA Sports. It was released in 1996 and was the successor to NHL 96. It is the sixth installment of the NHL series and the first to be released on both PlayStation and Saturn. A Panasonic M2 version was in development and slated to be one of the launch titles for it, but never happened due to the cancellation of the system.[6][7]

Gameplay

NHL 97 uses a full 3D engine, with motion captured polygonal players (PC/PlayStation/Sega Saturn versions only, the Mega Drive and SNES versions retained similar graphical values to previous games, but with further enhanced animations). Each goaltender has his own custom-painted mask and the original artwork can be seen inside the game with a special "Goalie Mask Viewer". NHL 97 also introduces play-by-play commentary, provided by well-known announcer Jim Hughson.

For the first time since EA Hockey, national teams were added, but only Canada , the United States , and Russia have their own teams while the other two are selections of the best European players. NHL 97 introduced a skills competition, allowing the user to pick players to compete in drills such as hardest shot, goalie 2 on 0, and accuracy shooting.[8]

This was the first year that an alternate jersey was an option. Teams that have third jerseys for NHL 97 are Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning & Vancouver Canucks.

In addition, each team in the game has one player with a special skill. Examples are Joe Sakic's (Colorado Avalanche) "wrong-footed wrist shot" and Rob Ray's (Buffalo Sabres) ability to check an opposing player while still controlling the puck. A glitch allows players to score 100% of the time when shooting down by taking a shot against the boards at the hash marks of the left circle in the bottom zone.

There is an option to enable or disable fighting, though certain players will not get into fights.[9]

Along with the PC, Mega Drive/Genesis and SNES versions, both the Saturn and PlayStation versions made their debut. The shot speed in the PlayStation and Saturn versions is so slow that some skaters can beat a slapshot down the ice.

Cover

The cover of the game features goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, who played for the Florida Panthers between 1993–98. NHL 97 was the last game of the NHL series to feature a goaltender on the cover until Martin Brodeur was chosen for the cover of NHL 14.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarHalf star (PS)[10]
StarStarStarHalf star (SAT)[11]
EGM8.75/10 (PS)[12]
GameSpot7.2/10 (PS)[13]
8.7/10 (PC)[14]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStar (GEN, PC)[15][16]
StarStarStar (PS)[17]
Sega Saturn Magazine84% (SAT)[18]

According to market research firm PC Data, NHL 97's Windows version was the 20th-best-selling computer game in the United States for the year 1996.[19]

The game received favorable reviews. Next Generation gave the Genesis version a rave review, saying it retained the familiar classic feel of the series while improving the AI and adding new special moves, fixes, and features. The reviewer firmly denied that a Genesis version of the game was obsolete: "Even with all the enhancements this game has undergone on 32-bit systems, the feel of a humble Genesis pad controlling all-out NHL action is unsurpassed."[15] Air Hendrix of GamePro was also enthusiastic, saying the game "attains a new pinnacle of hockey action. On the surface, the game seems very familiar, but NHL '97's killer new features build added depth into the game." He praised the inclusion of extra teams, the new special moves, and both the old and new animations, and said the new Skill Challenge and Practice modes "really help you improve your game, but more importantly, they inject the game with another layer of raucous, competitive, Open Ice-style fun."[20]

GamePro's Major Mike was less impressed by the Super NES version, commenting that "instead of supplying sharp new features as the Genesis version did, this NHL '97 is almost identical to last year's fine offering. It has the same gameplay engine and options; the only real change is in the updated rosters."[21]

Reviews for the PlayStation version were also more mixed. Jeff Kitts of GameSpot praised its visuals and realism but aimed some criticism at the handful of glitches.[13] Todd Mowatt of Electronic Gaming Monthly complained of the frame rate and repetition in the full motion video commentary, but both he and co-reviewer Joe Rybicki gave the game their approval, citing the inclusion of fighting, one-timers, drop passes, and a wide selection of camera angles.[12] A reviewer for Next Generation remarked that the player graphics and animations, while impressive in absolute terms, fall short of those in the PC version of the game and competitor NHL Powerplay. He also found the control was not as smooth and intuitive as in the Genesis version, and compared the game unfavorably to NHL FaceOff '97.[17] Air Hendrix of GamePro agreed that NHL 97, while graphically impressive, was not as good as FaceOff due to its lack of strategy-oriented features. He also said the player switching is finicky and the D-pad-controlled aiming makes it difficult to execute precise shots, but spoke highly of the game's overall fun.[22] Scott Alan Marriott stated in Allgame, "All in all, NHL 97 is still a fun game to play based on the quality of the graphics and presentation, but a few key issues keep it from being the definitive PlayStation hockey experience."[10]

Air Hendrix made much the same comments of the Saturn version as he had of the PlayStation version the previous month, save that he stated that the graphics are not as sharp as the PlayStation version's, though still the best of any hockey game on the Saturn. However, this time he concluded that while NHL Faceoff '97 would be more appealing to strategy-oriented gamers, most would prefer NHL '97.[23] Rich Leadbetter of Sega Saturn Magazine, contrarily, stated that "although the EA effort is probably superior in terms of presentation and optionary, I have to say that I prefer the Virgin title (ever-so-slightly) when it comes down to graphics and gameplay. And in the final analysis, that's what's more important." However, he regarded NHL '97 as a strong title in absolute terms, citing the believable 3D graphics, the strong sense of real skating, and the control method.[18]

Stephen Poole of GameSpot criticized the PC version's difficult passing, nearly infallible AI goalies, and illogical button configuration when using a Gravis Gamepad, but nonetheless considered it "one of the most downright exciting sports titles I've ever played" for its lifelike graphics and animations, comprehensive licensing, customizable settings, and audio commentary.[14] A Next Generation critic also regarded the game's graphics and animations as astoundingly realistic. He complimented the control, selection of views, comprehensive modes, and true-to-life AI, and summarized it as "The best-looking, fastest-moving, hardest-hitting hockey game on the PC".[16] The game was honored with a Game of the Year award for Best Sports Game by PC Gamer.[24]

NHL 97 was nominated as Computer Games Strategy Plus's 1996 sports game of the year, although it lost to Links LS,[25] and won the same title at the 1996 Spotlight Awards.[26]

References

  1. ↑ "Electronic Arts - News Room, EA Ships NHL 97 for the PC". https://web.archive.org/web/19970605151747fw_/http://www.ea.com/companyinfo/press/nhl97pc.html. 
  2. ↑ "Online Gaming Review". 1997-02-27. http://www.ogr.com/news/news0996.html. 
  3. ↑ "Electronic Arts - News Room, Electronic Arts Ships NHL 97 for the PlayStation". https://web.archive.org/web/19970605151710fw_/http://www.ea.com/companyinfo/press/nhl97psx.html. 
  4. ↑ Lomas, Ed (January 1997). "Checkpoint - Christmas Events and Software Releases". Computer and Video Games (Future Publishing) (182): 53. https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ACVG_UK_182.pdf&page=53. 
  5. ↑ "Press release: 1996-12-04: Electronic Arts Ships NHL 97 for the Sega Saturn" (in en). 2016-06-10. https://segaretro.org/Press_release:_1996-12-04:_Electronic_Arts_Ships_NHL_97_for_the_Sega_Saturn. 
  6. ↑ "Cutting Edge - 3DO buoyant as M2 picks up speed". Edge (Future Publishing) (23): 6–7. September 1995. https://archive.org/details/Edge_UK_024/page/n5. 
  7. ↑ "News - E3 '96: 3DO? - M2 Dream List". 3DO Magazine (Paragon Publishing) (12): 4. July 1996. https://archive.org/details/3DO_Magazine_Issue_12_1996-07_Paragon_Publishing_GB/page/n3. 
  8. ↑ "NHL '97". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (87): 172. October 1996. 
  9. ↑ "Buyers Beware". GamePro (IDG) (104): 20. May 1997. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Marriott, Scott Alan (2010-10-03). "NHL 97 - Review". http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2208&tab=review. Retrieved 2012-05-29. 
  11. ↑ "NHL 97 (Sega Saturn) Review". http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7745&tab=review. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Team EGM Box Scores: NHL 97". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (89): 328. December 1996. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Kitts, Jeff (December 1, 1996). "NHL 97 Review". GameSpot.com. http://www.gamespot.com/nhl-97/reviews/nhl-97-review-2546027/. Retrieved 2012-05-29. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Poole, Stephen (November 15, 1996). "NHL 97 Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nhl-97-review/1900-2543859/. Retrieved 19 December 2017. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "NHL '97". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (23): 281. November 1996. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "NHL '97". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (24): 272. December 1996. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "NHL '97". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (25): 172, 174. January 1997. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Leadbetter, Rich (January 1997). "Review: NHL Hockey '97". Sega Saturn Magazine (Emap International Limited) (15): 70–71. 
  19. ↑ Staff (February 26, 1997). "1996 PC Best Sellers". Next Generation. http://www.next-generation.com:80/news/022697a.chtml. 
  20. ↑ "NHL '97". GamePro (IDG) (98): 141. November 1996. 
  21. ↑ "NHL '97". GamePro (IDG) (99): 186. December 1996. 
  22. ↑ "The King of Hockey Scores with a PlayStation Slap Shot". GamePro (IDG) (100): 130. January 1997. 
  23. ↑ "NHL '97". GamePro (IDG) (101): 93. February 1997. 
  24. ↑ "PC Gamer reveals its 1997 award winners. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. 1997-02-06. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/PC+Gamer+reveals+its+1997+award+winners.-a019093593. Retrieved 2012-05-29. 
  25. ↑ Staff (March 25, 1997). "Computer Games Strategy Plus announces 1996 Awards". Computer Games Strategy Plus. http://www.cdmag.com/news/0325971.html. Retrieved November 2, 2010. 
  26. ↑ "Spotlight Award Winners". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (31): 21. July 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_31/page/n21. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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