Warden
February 16th, 2004, 09:51 PM
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky 3D Hockey
Nintendo 64
http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/greatest_gretzky.jpg
The Great One was unstoppable in one of Nintendo 64's first few titles. Gretzky's performance was even more highlighted by the fact that the only difference between most teams was the sweater they wore. Not convinced? Check out the, at the time, cutting edge instant replay and watch Gretzky's goals continuously defy the laws of physics. This was pretty cool even if Wayne could never really lay down one of the game's patented ambulance-calling hits.
Fat Dude
Ice Hockey
NES
http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/greatest_NES_hockey.jpg
He wasn't smooth. He wasn't sleek. And fast is a word you would never use to describe the wrecking crew of Nintendo Ice Hockey -- the Fat Dude. One touch by the man and you were down for the count, especially if you were one of lightening-fast 100-lb softies. Sure the game was slow with these guys, but the Fat Dude more than made up for it. Who didn't live to see him check people almost in half and deliver a slap shot where the goalie appeared to actually get out of the way?
Alexi Kovalev
NHL '95
Genesis
http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/greatest_kovalev.jpg
After the Rangers won the Stanley Cup the folks at EA apparently decided that the best player in the NHL was none other than the the Blueshirts' Alexei Kovalev. Despite not making the first line, Kovalev was virtually uncheckable. And when he blew by your defense and did that wrap-around-the-net thing? Well, for those of you who played against New York -- you know what happened.
Kirk Muller
NHLPA '94
SNES
http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/greatest_muller.jpg
There's decent. There's good. There's great. And then there's the godlike performance of Kirk Muller in Super Nintendo's NHLPA '94. If you were the Canadiens, you could feel free to get penalty after penalty because Kirk didn't need anyone else on the ice with him to score 8-10 goals a game.
Jeremy Roenick
NHL '94
Genesis
http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/greatest_roenick.jpg
If it weren't for NHL '94, people would probably forget that about 20 teams ago Jeremy Roenick once played for the Chicago Blackhawks. And if it wasn't for Roenick, no one would ever consider picking the Windy City. Jeremy had too many strengths to list, so here's just one -- he was Double Down Trent's go-to guy in "Swingers". There isn't a better endorsement than that.
Wayne Gretzky 3D Hockey
Nintendo 64
http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/greatest_gretzky.jpg
The Great One was unstoppable in one of Nintendo 64's first few titles. Gretzky's performance was even more highlighted by the fact that the only difference between most teams was the sweater they wore. Not convinced? Check out the, at the time, cutting edge instant replay and watch Gretzky's goals continuously defy the laws of physics. This was pretty cool even if Wayne could never really lay down one of the game's patented ambulance-calling hits.
Fat Dude
Ice Hockey
NES
http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/greatest_NES_hockey.jpg
He wasn't smooth. He wasn't sleek. And fast is a word you would never use to describe the wrecking crew of Nintendo Ice Hockey -- the Fat Dude. One touch by the man and you were down for the count, especially if you were one of lightening-fast 100-lb softies. Sure the game was slow with these guys, but the Fat Dude more than made up for it. Who didn't live to see him check people almost in half and deliver a slap shot where the goalie appeared to actually get out of the way?
Alexi Kovalev
NHL '95
Genesis
http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/greatest_kovalev.jpg
After the Rangers won the Stanley Cup the folks at EA apparently decided that the best player in the NHL was none other than the the Blueshirts' Alexei Kovalev. Despite not making the first line, Kovalev was virtually uncheckable. And when he blew by your defense and did that wrap-around-the-net thing? Well, for those of you who played against New York -- you know what happened.
Kirk Muller
NHLPA '94
SNES
http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/greatest_muller.jpg
There's decent. There's good. There's great. And then there's the godlike performance of Kirk Muller in Super Nintendo's NHLPA '94. If you were the Canadiens, you could feel free to get penalty after penalty because Kirk didn't need anyone else on the ice with him to score 8-10 goals a game.
Jeremy Roenick
NHL '94
Genesis
http://espn.go.com/i/magazine/new/greatest_roenick.jpg
If it weren't for NHL '94, people would probably forget that about 20 teams ago Jeremy Roenick once played for the Chicago Blackhawks. And if it wasn't for Roenick, no one would ever consider picking the Windy City. Jeremy had too many strengths to list, so here's just one -- he was Double Down Trent's go-to guy in "Swingers". There isn't a better endorsement than that.