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Gretzky NHL

EMAILPRINTpsp

Gretzky NHL
61
7.3 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 23 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 8 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America

Developer: Page 44 Studios - 989 Sports

Genre(s): Sports, Hockey

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: March 15, 2005

Summary

Officially licensed by the NHL and NHLPA, Gretzky NHL for the PSP features fast-paced skating, precision passing, bone-jarring checks and players that convey the power and emotion of their sport. The game offers the Gretzky Challenge with unlockable, playable Gretzkys from his days as an Edmonton Oiler, Los Angeles King or New York Ranger. Additionally, hockey fans can play a quick game in either Quick Start or Exhibition Mode, act as owners in Season Mode, or compete locally against friends or other hockey fans in head-to-head play via wireless multiplayer connectivity. By combining authentic gameplay, intuitive play controls and an enhanced presentation with the fast, fluid, hard-hitting intensity of arcade style play, Gretzky NHL for the PSP delivers the look, feel and passion of hockey and provides gamers with a true-to-life simulation. [SCEA]

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

80

GameZone

Big on speed, really big on fun, and small on accurate passing.

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80

Yahoo! Games

The action is swift and challenging, but easy to control.

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75

IGN

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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70

PGNx Media

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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70

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

A great fill-in during the lockout. [June 2005, p.98]

70

GamePro

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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69

BonusStage

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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65

PSM Magazine

Control, physics, graphics are pretty solid, though the jaggy sticks stink. [June 2005, p.84]

62

PSX Nation

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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60

Operation Sports

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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60

Game Informer

You always feel like you are a little out of control. The poor collision only makes matters worse. [May 2005, p.136]

60

Gamenikki

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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60

GameSpot

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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60

Modojo

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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60

Game Over Online

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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60

Gaming Target

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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58

Game Revolution

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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55

1UP

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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50

DarkStation

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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50

Gaming Age

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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40

G4 TV

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.

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36

PSX Extreme

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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30

GameSpy

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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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.3 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Johnny A. gave it a2:
This game is so horrible. The controls are so choppy that after 5 minutes of playing it you are ready to recycle it. I strongly suggest to pass on this game because it is a joke for a hockey game!

Shawn gave it a5:
This game really is a disappointment. The AI is so horrible that your teammates will often skate in offsides as your coming down the ice. Also, the passing in this game is awful. You often will be sending passes to the point when you’re trying to center the pass. Another grip about this game is the ridiculous amount of line changes. You can win the opening face and move the puck along the boards and the forwards will make a line change 15 secs into the game. Surely they have more stamina than this. Unfortunately this is the only hockey game out at the time so if you want to play anything of the sort, you will have to deal, but after working in QA for a major software company, there is no excuse for this game to come out as unpolished as it did. This game was obviously rushed.

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