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Sports games for the Wii already have bats, rackets and other peripherals to make it easier to play the games the way they should be, but NHL Slapshot finally gives us a hockey stick that we can finally use to shoot and score. The combination of the stick and the first NHL game for the Wii from EA Sports is very promising, but still needs some work to get better for next year.  Wayne Gretzky is the cover man for the game, and he's helped promote it wearing his old Oilers jersey. The old school feel makes a lot of sense to how the game plays out with the included stick. As a peripheral, the stick is pretty easy to assemble, and the way the Wii remote and nunchuk slide in to their respective slots makes for a really nice way to play the game.   The Training mode in Slapshot helps you figure out the basics on how to take a snap shot or slap shot, how to check and how to make a pass. Of those three, passing doesn't actually require any movement from the stick, which is a bit unfortunate, but understandable because Wii MotionPlus probably wouldn't read the moves as well as the technology behind PlayStation Move might. While Training helps, the best way to get used to playing with the stick is to keep playing the mini-games until you reach a decent comfort level. Whether it's the shootout, the 2-on-2 game or free for all, they offer the best way to get used to the fundamentals. Checking is probably the easiest to do, since it only requires that you extend your arms out with the stick as if you were cross-checking a guy. Shooting can be a simple flick of the stick forward, or you can wind up for a slapper. You can aim your shot manually by using the analog stick on the nunchuk to direct your shot. It could be a bit more precise when it comes to wristers and snapshots, but at least you can work on that a bit by practicing in the mini-games Stickhandling mechanics are limited to deking. Holding the B button while moving the stick side-to-side is just about all you can do, though you can add a little flair to it by letting go and pressing the same button for a spin move. Passing is as simple as pressing the A button in the direction you want. One-timers are really gratifying to complete, since you can fire a shot by flicking the stick when you're about to receive a pass. There will be some confusing moments where the stick won't respond to what you want it to do, which can prove frustrating because it seems to happen at the worst times. Still, once you get used to the timing and coordination involved with the stick, you will get better and better at setting up plays and being more creative on the ice. But you will be reminded often that the realism isn't always the way you would expect it to be.    When it comes to the game's aesthetics and options, there is a lot to like about the package. Despite being an NHL title by EA, there is little in common with the simulation style of the flagship series on the PS3 and Xbox 360. Slapshot takes hockey to more of a fun arcade-like level that will be just as enjoyable for a newbie as it would be for a seasoned pro. Players aren't overly detailed and the overall graphics are really good for the limitations of the Wii's hardware. Framerates are solidly consistent, and the intensity of the action is usually intense. The problem is that there are a number of mistakes that take away from the game's full potential. First, rosters haven't been updated to reflect the changes made in the off-season. Second, players shoot the wrong hand far too often. The Blackhawks' Patrick Sharp, Brent Seabrook and Dave Bolland are all right-handed shooters, but are shown shooting left in the game. I realized later on that Slapshot will make all the players on your team shoot from the hand you choose. I wasn't a huge fan of this because seeing players like Ovechkin, Kovalchuk and Stamkos shoot as left-handers was just too weird. The play-by-play announcers do a good job, but the calls are totally generic. No players are mentioned by name, and they don't really describe very much about plays as they happen. Another little gripe is the fact players keep their helmets and gloves on when hoisting the Stanley Cup. In the end, NHL Slapshot doesn't offer a real-life sim experience, but rather a solid game of hockey that conjures up a lot of memories of how so many kids first started playing in their homes. There are some kinks that need to be worked out, but so long as EA commits to making the overall experience more interactive, the Slapshot series will be a very successful one going forward.   NHL Slapshot Format: Wii Publisher: EA Sports Developer: EA Canada ESRB Rating: Everyone Official Site: http://www.easports.com/nhlslapshot Rating: 8 / 10

 

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G4 Canada (formerly TechTV Canada) launched in September 2001. G4 is the one and only television station that is plugged into every dimension of games, gear, gadgets and gigabytes. Owned Rogers Media Inc., the channel airs more than 24 original series. G4 is available on digital cable and satellite. For more information, see www.g4tv.ca.