In 1987, Konami released Blades of Steel for American arcade machines, a title characterised by its intensity and emphasis on fighting. The mechanic was dramatic, interrupting the action in favour of side-view sequences where the goal was to hit the opponent five times to send them to the penalty box. There is no doubt that the title served as a direct inspiration for Nintendo to expand its Sports series. While Stick Hunter: Exciting Ice Hockey (1987) predated Ice Hockey by a few weeks, the approach was significantly different. Nintendo's title, directed by Hideki Konno, comes across as a synoptic imitation of the sport as if its director had promptly dissected what had made Blades of Steel so successful, without being an enthusiast himself. Much of the grammar of Konami's game has been retained, from the way the player can switch between characters to the fighting system and the difficulty of scoring points, as the goaltenders are such challenging obstacles to break through.
Ice Hockey does not include the side-view fisticuffs, which were probably considered too violent for a casual sports game. The mechanic is still very important, however, as it allows the player to create a numerical imbalance, often the only way to create viable shooting opportunities in such a fast-paced game. The goaltenders, who can be controlled when the puck is close to the net, will not let a shot go through if they are in the way, no matter how fast the puck is moving: because it is impossible to aim accurately, scoring is primarily a positional affair, rather than an accuracy contest or a chaotic battle near the net. It is therefore important to create as much space as possible by knocking out at least one opponent during a fighting sequence. Ice Hockey crystallises this spirit through a simple fighting system – all that is required is to mash the A Button – but one that keeps the game's momentum going.
The subtlety lies in selecting the players before the game. It is possible to set their stature; a frail character will be swifter and more maneuverable, but will struggle to prevail in fights; and vice versa for a heavier player. The composition of the team alters the attacking strategy: a heavy team will take the initiative more often and press the opponent back, while a light team will be more successful in quick counter-attacks. Ice Hockey is thus a simple and functional concept that manages to create good gameplay coherence. The absence of complex rules – there is the icing rule, but the offside one is not implemented – does not alienate the player and underlines Hideki Konno's desire for accessibility: it is no surprise, therefore, to note the elegant simplicity of the power-ups implementation in Super Mario Kart (1992).
Ice Hockey does not include the side-view fisticuffs, which were probably considered too violent for a casual sports game. The mechanic is still very important, however, as it allows the player to create a numerical imbalance, often the only way to create viable shooting opportunities in such a fast-paced game. The goaltenders, who can be controlled when the puck is close to the net, will not let a shot go through if they are in the way, no matter how fast the puck is moving: because it is impossible to aim accurately, scoring is primarily a positional affair, rather than an accuracy contest or a chaotic battle near the net. It is therefore important to create as much space as possible by knocking out at least one opponent during a fighting sequence. Ice Hockey crystallises this spirit through a simple fighting system – all that is required is to mash the A Button – but one that keeps the game's momentum going.
The subtlety lies in selecting the players before the game. It is possible to set their stature; a frail character will be swifter and more maneuverable, but will struggle to prevail in fights; and vice versa for a heavier player. The composition of the team alters the attacking strategy: a heavy team will take the initiative more often and press the opponent back, while a light team will be more successful in quick counter-attacks. Ice Hockey is thus a simple and functional concept that manages to create good gameplay coherence. The absence of complex rules – there is the icing rule, but the offside one is not implemented – does not alienate the player and underlines Hideki Konno's desire for accessibility: it is no surprise, therefore, to note the elegant simplicity of the power-ups implementation in Super Mario Kart (1992).