Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey by Activision brought a fast and clear hockey match to the Atari 2600 in 1981, in which each player controls a trio of characters at once – a small fast forward, a mid-sized all-rounder, and a sturdy defenseman – between whom it is possible to switch fluidly depending on the situation on the ice and on where the puck currently is. The classic goal is to score more goals than the opponent, and the game puts emphasis on alternating between the speed and strength of the individual player types according to the in-game situation, constantly forcing the player to choose which character they need to be controlling right now.

The controls are simple – movement and a single button for shooting or fighting for the puck – but the differing attributes of the three characters give the game strategic depth, since the fast player is suited to dribbling and breaking into the defense, while the sturdier defenseman can better hold the puck in battles along the boards. The graphics are modest but clear, the rink is shown from above, and the puck and players are easy to distinguish even during a rapid exchange of action, which was essential for a sports game of the time to deliver a smooth playing experience. The sound effects are limited to a short beep on face-offs and goals, yet they sufficiently underscore the rhythm of the match, so players easily notice when the score has just changed without having to constantly watch the small numeric display at the edge of the screen.

Ice Hockey was one of Activision's beloved sports titles, and for two players against each other it offered brisk, competitive fun without unnecessary complications or a long learning curve for the rules. Even today it plays surprisingly well thanks to its clear rules and fast pace, and it is often mentioned as one of the more successful attempts to bring team sport onto the limited hardware of early home consoles, where simplicity went hand in hand with appeal and with the immediate clarity of the rules for new players, who needed only a few minutes to grasp what the game was about.

Why play it: For quick and easy-to-understand two-player fun, Ice Hockey is still surprisingly playable thanks to its clear rules and brisk pace without unnecessary complications.