NHL All-Star Hockey Game Gear

Like with most hockey games, the camera is positioned above the action. However, the perspective is angled, giving you a special "behind the skater view." You can pass the puck to your teammates and shoot wrist and slap shots. A one-timer occurs when the shooter anticipates the arrival of the puck and fires it off the instant he receives it. Shots are aimed using the control pad.

When on defense, you should control the man closest to the puck. This is done with a simple press of the 1 button. To attempt to dislodge the puck from an opponent, you can check the player handling the puck by bumping into him.

Just like in real hockey, penalties play a big part of this game (as long as you have the penalty option turned on). Penalties are given to those players who check opposing players from behind or interfere with the opponent's goalie. This can set up a power play in which one team has more players on the ice than the other. Players must also be careful not to skate offsides.

Another aspect of this game that mirrors the real sport is the use of line changes. If you leave the line changes option on, the computer automatically configures the line changes to each situation. However, if you want to incorporate your own strategy into the game, you can play with this feature off, forcing you to decide when to use offensive, check, power play and penalty killing lines. Other features include substitutions, face offs and time outs. Time outs are used to rest fatigued players.

NHL All-Star Hockey is a one-player game. A password feature lets you save your progress during Regular Playoffs or Best of 7 Playoffs. The Regular Season game mode lets you select a match-up between any two teams, including the two all-star teams. ~ Brett Alan Weiss, All Game Guide