Summary

• Release Year: 1987
• Genres: Sport
• Platforms: Arcade
• Developers: Konami
• Publishers: Konami

Blades of Steel (1987): A Retrospective

Released in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Blades of Steel is a classic hockey game that still holds up today. With its fast-paced gameplay, intense fights, and a variety of teams to choose from, it’s a must-play for any fan of hockey games.

Gameplay

Blades of Steel is played from a top-down perspective, and the player controls one of six players on the ice at a time. The game features a variety of different shots, passes, and hits, and players can also fight each other. The game’s AI is challenging, and the computer-controlled teams will put up a fight.

One of the things that makes Blades of Steel so fun is its fast-paced gameplay. The puck moves quickly around the ice, and players are constantly moving and passing. This makes for a very exciting and action-packed game.

Another thing that makes Blades of Steel so great is its intense fights. When two players get into a fight, the game switches to a first-person perspective and the players square off against each other. The fights are brutal and can often lead to injuries.

Teams

Blades of Steel features eight different teams to choose from:

• Los Angeles Kings
• New York Islanders
• Vancouver Canucks
• Montreal Canadiens
• Edmonton Oilers
• Minnesota North Stars
• Toronto Maple Leafs
• Chicago Blackhawks

Each team has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, so players can choose the team that best suits their playing style.

Graphics and Sound

For an NES game, Blades of Steel’s graphics are very good. The players are well-animated, and the ice rink is detailed and realistic. The game’s sound is also very good, with realistic sound effects and music.

Legacy

Blades of Steel is considered to be one of the best hockey games ever made. It was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to popularize the sport of hockey in North America. The game has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.

Conclusion

Blades of Steel is a classic hockey game that still holds up today. With its fast-paced gameplay, intense fights, and a variety of teams to choose from, it’s a must-play for any fan of hockey games. If you’re looking for a great retro hockey game to play, Blades of Steel is definitely worth checking out.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Blades of Steel

1. The game was originally going to be called “Ice Hockey.”
2. The game’s developers were inspired by the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” hockey game between the United States and the Soviet Union.
3. The game features a hidden “cheat code” that allows players to play as a team of all-star players.
4. The game’s music was composed by Hirokazu Tanaka, who also composed the music for the Mega Man series.
5. The game was a critical and commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.
6. The game was ported to a number of different platforms, including the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, and Game Boy.
7. The game was released in Japan under the name “Konami Ice Hockey.”
8. The game is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it is considered to be one of the best hockey games ever made.
9. The game was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015.
10. The game is still played competitively today, and there are a number of online tournaments that are held throughout the year.

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

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