When lots of people who have at some point been games console players look back at their youth, then it seems so great back then. Every little thing as a child seemed bigger and better than when you grow up. That is of course apart from sports and NHL games for Xbox & Playstation game consoles. In the last thirty years we have been privileged to benefit from the advances in technology.
You don't see any kids these days that could get excited about pushing a little white dot around the screen that is supposed to be a puck.The matchstick men that were supposed to resemble a fully padded out Ice hockey player have gone too. Kids still want to play games that they perceive as fun though.
The problem that has prevailed over the years is that while the ability of computer graphic artists and programmers increased, the consoles were behind. Now though, we are at a stage where the technology has gone so far that our ability to use it is lagging behind. But it matters little about which is better, graphics or game play, the game player of today wants it all. The games that have gone down in history whether they have been hockey, NHL, console based or not, have all had one thing in common. They have all been very playable. In some, the presentation didn't really matter at all. Like the type with the falling blocks that you have to arrange, many games relied solely on their ability to keep you coming back for more. Hockey games have been no different and no matter who is on the cover of any NHL title, it's what's inside the box that has really mattered.
While both of these games had the very best levels of playability, they really paid little attention to detail with the presentation. The genius that invented either of those really understood what makes people tick. Sadly their talents will be missed but they paved the way forward for sports and action games makers. Now Hockey games are particularly entertaining on any games platform because they combine control, timing and quick perception. These are all vital components in any entertaining sports game. Thankfully there are many talented programmers working hard to produce something that they also like. Really that has been key to making hockey games that can be played on a games console. They have had to make something that a true hockey professional has put their name to in many cases. So it's not just about making something that looks pretty but is awful or slow to move. On the other hand it is not been a good idea to make something that has been easy to move but looks terrible.
It's lucky then that we are time a time when the advances in technology have made as privy to the world through different eyes. NHL games for Xbox & Playstation game consoles are no so realistic that there are eve television shows that carry earl life live events where two gamers take each other on. Sure enough the industry has evolved and it is probably taking us with it.