Summary
- Release Year: 1998
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Nintendo 64, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation
- Developers: Iguana Entertainment
- Publishers: Acclaim Entertainment
NHL Breakaway 98: The Ultimate Hockey Experience
Lace up your skates and hit the virtual ice with NHL Breakaway 98, the groundbreaking hockey game that took the genre to new heights in 1998. Developed by Acclaim Sports and published by Acclaim Entertainment, NHL Breakaway 98 captured the fast-paced action, intense physicality, and strategic depth of the sport like never before.
Authentic NHL Experience
NHL Breakaway 98 boasts an impressive roster of all 26 NHL teams and over 600 players from the NHLPA, each with their own unique attributes and abilities. From hulking defensemen to speedy wingers, the game’s variable player sizes added a new level of realism to the gameplay.
The game’s AI was also top-notch, with teams employing their actual playing styles. Whether it’s the forechecking frenzy of the New Jersey Devils or the trap-heavy defense of the Dallas Stars, each team played true to their real-life counterparts.
Innovative Gameplay Modes
NHL Breakaway 98 offers a wide range of gameplay modes to cater to every hockey fan’s preference. Exhibition mode allows for quick, one-off matches, while Season mode lets you take your favorite team through a full 82-game schedule, complete with playoffs. Practice mode is perfect for honing your skills, and Shoot-Out mode tests your ability to score goals in a pressure-packed shootout situation.
The game also introduced a unique Dynasty mode, where you could create your own team and guide it to glory over multiple seasons. By winning games and completing objectives, you could earn bonus points to improve your team’s coaching, player development, and injury therapies.
Player Creation and Customization
One of the most exciting features of NHL Breakaway 98 was the ability to create your own players. You could customize their appearance, attributes, and even assign them a unique name that would appear on their jersey. This added a whole new level of personalization to the game and allowed players to create their own hockey stars.
Enhanced Graphics and Presentation
NHL Breakaway 98 showcased impressive graphics for its time. The player models were detailed and fluid, and the arenas were rendered with a high level of accuracy. The game also featured a dynamic camera system that followed the puck and players around the ice, providing a more immersive experience.
The game’s presentation was also top-notch, with slick menus, informative commentary, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack that perfectly captured the intensity of the sport.
Legacy and Impact
NHL Breakaway 98 was a critical and commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide. It was praised for its realistic gameplay, innovative features, and authentic NHL experience. The game is still fondly remembered by hockey fans today and is considered one of the best hockey games ever made.
NHL Breakaway 98 paved the way for future hockey games and helped to establish Acclaim Sports as a leading developer in the genre. The game’s success also led to a sequel, NHL Breakaway ’99, which further refined the gameplay and added new features.
Conclusion
NHL Breakaway 98 remains a timeless classic in the world of hockey video games. Its realistic gameplay, innovative features, and authentic NHL experience continue to captivate hockey fans to this day. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the genre, NHL Breakaway 98 is a must-play for any fan of the sport.
Review Score
8/10
