Summary
- Release Year: 1998
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Nintendo 64
- Developers: Iguana Entertainment
- Publishers: Acclaim Entertainment
NHL Breakaway 99: The Ultimate Hockey Experience
Lace up your skates and get ready for the most realistic and exciting hockey game ever created: NHL Breakaway 99. Released in 1998, this groundbreaking title from EA Sports set a new standard for virtual hockey, with stunning graphics, innovative gameplay, and an unprecedented level of detail.
All the NHL Action, Right at Your Fingertips
NHL Breakaway 99 features all 27 NHL teams and over 600 players, including the expansion Nashville Predators. Each player is meticulously recreated with real-life player sizes and weights, and their unique playing styles and signature moves are faithfully captured.
You can choose to play as your favorite team in a variety of game modes, including exhibition matches, tournaments, and a full-fledged season mode. The season mode is incredibly immersive, allowing you to manage your team’s roster, set team strategies, and even trade and sign players.
Innovative Gameplay and Controls
NHL Breakaway 99 introduced a number of innovative gameplay features that set it apart from previous hockey games. The symbol-based passing system made it easier to execute precise passes to your teammates, even in the heat of battle. And the non-puck handler control allowed you to control players who were not in possession of the puck, opening up new possibilities for strategy and teamwork.
The game also featured a variety of realistic physics and collision effects. Players could crash into the boards or each other with bone-jarring force, and the puck could bounce and ricochet off the boards and players in unpredictable ways. This made for a much more dynamic and realistic hockey experience.
Stunning Graphics and Presentation
NHL Breakaway 99 was one of the first hockey games to feature 3D graphics. The character models were detailed and expressive, and the arenas were recreated with stunning accuracy. The game also featured a variety of camera angles and replays, giving you a truly immersive hockey experience.
The game’s presentation was also top-notch. The menus were easy to navigate, and the commentary was informative and engaging. The game also featured a variety of unlockable bonus content, such as classic NHL teams and players.
Critical and Commercial Success
NHL Breakaway 99 was a critical and commercial success. It received rave reviews from critics, who praised its innovative gameplay, stunning graphics, and immersive season mode. The game was also a huge commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.
NHL Breakaway 99 is still considered one of the greatest hockey games ever made. It set a new standard for virtual hockey, and its influence can still be seen in hockey games today.
Legacy
NHL Breakaway 99 had a profound impact on the hockey video game genre. It introduced a number of innovative gameplay features that became industry standards, and its stunning graphics and immersive presentation set a new benchmark for quality.
The game also helped to popularize the NHL and hockey in general. It brought the excitement and intensity of the NHL into the homes of millions of fans, and it inspired a new generation of hockey players.
NHL Breakaway 99 is a true classic, and it remains one of the most beloved hockey games of all time. It is a must-play for any fan of hockey or sports video games.
Review Score
8.5/10
