3 on 3 NHL Arcade Review

Review written by Zikron on 2/12/09
Last edited on 2/12/09

3 on 3 NHL Arcade is a very familiar looking game to most of us. It is an arcade hockey game similar to the old Wayne Gretzkey games on the N64 and Playstation. This time around though it is an arcade game so you will only have to shell out $10 bucks to play. 3 on 3 NHL Arcade also offers a lot more depth than the arcade hockey games of old.

If you have played NHL 09 than you pretty much know the controls if you set the control scheme to stick. The only difference from NHL 09 is that you can now do trick shots by pressing the Y button. If you haven't played NHL 09, well you are missing out on not only the best sports game of 2008 but one of the best games of 2008 as well and you should at least go rent it right now. Don't continue reading this article, it will be here when you get back, I promise. Newcomers will have to adapt to the controls as they have changed greatly on next generation consoles. You basically use both analog sticks and the shoulder buttons to do most of your actions. If this doesn't tickle your fancy you can change the scheme to use face buttons but I do believe this will limit your effectiveness because dekeing helps score goals.

3 on 3 NHL Arcade is a fun game when you are on the ice. Constant action going on at all times, the computer presents a challenge and it is always a thrill to score a goal or get a big hit. You earn power ups by getting a big hit on the other team, the power ups range from mini opposing goalie, to 2x goal. Once you score a goal the power ups your team possess are lost. To increase the speed of the game once a goal is scored the puck is dropped behind the net and the game goes on. So pay attention or your one goal deficit can quickly become a 2 goal deficit since the puck stays in your zone. There is very little wrong with the formula. Occasionally it can get frustrating when “cheap” goals are scored or when the controller gains control of the puck even when your character is between him and the puck. Your goalie will also come out of net and play the puck a lot which is normal in hockey but if your pass is intercepted even in the opponents zone they will put a shot on net and score 75% of the time, you learn this very quickly.

The problem with 3 on 3 NHL Arcade is that it is very shallow in what it has to offer. There is no “be a pro mode,” franchise or even season mode, you can not even select NHL teams. That's right, those two teams from the demo, red and blue are all you get. Then you get to select 3 players and a goalie for each team through a very crappy and time consuming menu system. The team selection is so frustrating that I just elect to stay with a team and play the computer several times in a row.

3 on 3 NHL Arcade is a fun game, there is no denying that. It is a great game to take out when friends are over whether they are familiar with the game or not. However, the shallowness of the game makes it a weak title if you play single player most of the time. However, if you play with your friends or like going online this game should be a blast to play.