Anyone remember Gretzky Hockey on the N64? Man, that takes me back. It was almost like hockey except that it looked terrible and played pretty badly from what I remember. Or maybe it was great...seriously, does it even matter?

Sony actually scored a goal with Gretzky NHL 2005 on the PS2 so they're hoping to take home the Cup with a PSP version soon to be released after the launch of the new system. Incredibly Wayne Gretzky, arguably the most well known hockey player in the history of the game, has since lost some of his magic since retiring a few years ago. Some young hockey players don't even know who he is, which is a strange notion especially if you consider that this guy made pro hockey into the spectator sport that it is today. I can understand these kids not knowing his name or his contribution to the game, but you'd think their dads or moms might name drop "Gretzky" once in awhile even just out of respect. That's like a gamer not knowing who Mario is for goodness sakes. Blasphemy!

Press:

Officially licensed by the NHL and NHLPA, Gretzky NHL features fast-paced skating, precision passing, bone-jarring checks and players with that convey the power and emotion of their sport. To challenge the skill levels of all hockey videogame fans, Gretzky NHL offers the Gretzky Challenge with unlockable, playable Gretzkys from his days as an Edmonton Oiler, Los Angeles King or New York Ranger. Additionally, there are an extensive list of gameplay modes including Tournament Mode with customizable tournaments, Franchise Mode where gamers act as owners, and Rivalry Mode, which sets the stage to revisit the ultimate heated match-up time after time. By combining authentic gameplay, intuitive play controls and an enhanced presentation with the fast, fluid, hard-hitting intensity of arcade style play, Gretzky NHL delivers the look, feel and passion of hockey and provides gamers with a true-to-life simulation.

Features:

Modes of Play

• Quick Game – Artificial Intelligence (AI) picks evenly matched teams at random for a quick game on the go.
  
• Exhibition – Gamers can select their favorite team and face off any NHL rivalry.
  
• Season Mode – Assume the role of GM and the responsibility of franchise ownership including the ability to draft, sign and trading players including players from AHL teams and then play the regular 82 game season. After the regular season, advance to the playoffs as one of the top 8 teams in each conference, play on and be crowned as the Stanley Cup champion.
  
• Online Mode – Gamers can compete locally against friends or other hockey fans in head-to-head play via wireless multiplayer connectivity.
  
• Gretzky Challenge – Through successful gameplay, gamers can earn points by breaking Gretzky’s actual NHL records and utilize those points to unlock hidden items including jerseys, teams and playable Gretzkys from his days as a member of the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.
• Innovative NHL Gameplay – Utilize the shot aiming option to guide the puck past the tenacious goaltender. Set up the perfect one-timer with the give and go and load up a slap shot and try to beat the goalie with the slap shot meter.
• Adapt to game situations on the go with on-the-fly play calling.
  
• NHL, NHLPA & AHL Licensed – Play as or against all 30 NHL teams with all the players and arenas. Play with roughly 400 of the AHL’s top hockey players and put those AHL players on to a NHL team.