Gretzky NHL
PSP- Publisher: SCEA
- Release Date: Mar 14, 2005
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Simply being the only hockey choice doesn't excuse things like the awful frame rate, the sloppy puck handling, and the generally lackluster gameplay that Gretzky NHL offers. You're better off without this one.
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Frame rate sticklers will want to stay away, but if you're a hockey nut with a PlayStation Portable, you almost have no choice but to buy.
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Big on speed, really big on fun, and small on accurate passing.
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Sadly, Gretzky NHL doesn't move at the smooth clip of other more impressive PSP games. Shots don't fly off the blade of your stick at the precise moments, and you find yourself doing circles like a figure skater trying to collect loose pucks.
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The frame rate and over simplistic gameplay really makes this game not fun to play. Although Gretzky does have some nice features on paper, the overall play out of the game is just disappointing.
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Wireless head-to-head play with a pal is a kick. It might not win over fans looking for a hardcore sim, but in the handheld rink, Gretzky NHL at least holds home ice.
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The action is swift and challenging, but easy to control.
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If the graphics are merely mediocre, the sound pretty much stinks. All your hear during play are announcements over the stadium PA, skating noises and some occasional organ music. Yup - no commentary at all.
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Probably what affects the game the worst would be the graphics. Sony and Page 44 Studios were obviously in some sort of quick effort to put the game on the PSP, as the graphics appear to be mostly blocky and underdone.
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Hockey fans want to see their favorite players gliding effortlessly across the ice, not spastically jerking from end to end. The Great One was one of the smoothest players of all time, but his game is in dire need of a few visits from the zamboni to smooth out the bumps.
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A game that, while it can’t compete with the hockey titles available for the PSP’s big brother, still has a solid look and feel to it, despite the gaping hole left by the lack of commentary.
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The camera angles in the PSP version of the game are as frustrating as ever. Basically traditional or coach camera modes are the only ones remotely useful.
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Oh yeah, as to the fighting in the game: it’s in there, and like the bar brawl I mentioned at the start of this review, it’s pretty silly.
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Despite online support and being the only hockey game on the PSP Gretzky NHL’s sloppy controls, lackluster sound and choppy frame-rate make it a less-than-stellar representation of the sport it recreates.
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Gamers looking for a fun, casual game with online play and unlockables may like Gretzky NHL as an excellent update to the classic hockey games of the 16-bit era.
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Game InformerYou always feel like you are a little out of control. The poor collision only makes matters worse. [May 2005, p.136]
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A pretty decent port of its PS2 sibling. Unfortunately, the generally lackluster gameplay and sporadic framerate make it hard to recommend to anyone except those that must absolutely have a portable hockey game.
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Chances are, however, that no one is going to buy or rent this game just so they can unlock the Edmonton Oilers' Wayne Gretzky that scored 50 goals in 39 games during the 1981 season.
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PSM MagazineControl, physics, graphics are pretty solid, though the jaggy sticks stink. [June 2005, p.84]
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Official U.S. Playstation MagazineA great fill-in during the lockout. [June 2005, p.98]
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While it does have unlockable features and a great cover athlete to find and play with, the limited game options hampers the game significantly.
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At its heart the gameplay is functional, but the speed is actually too fast for its own good and the players thus can't be controlled well which leads to the hassles of controlling the puck.
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While the presentation is PSP-worthy, the gameplay isn’t. The default “nub” control makes it hard to guide players where you want them too, especially when trying to land a check or two on defense.
Awards & Rankings
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60
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63
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#63 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2005
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User score distribution:
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Positive: 6 out of 10
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Mixed: 2 out of 10
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Negative: 2 out of 10
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Jul 9, 2016
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JohnnyA.May 20, 2005
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ShawnApr 25, 2005