Hockey enthusiasts and gamers alike can rejoice as the gaming industry continues to deliver realistic and immersive experiences in the form of PC hockey games. Whether you’re a fan of fast-paced action or strategic gameplay, there’s a hockey game for every preference.
In this article, we have listed the top seven hockey games for PC that deliver the best virtual ice hockey experience.
NHL 2024
EA Games has introduced the latest instalment in their hockey series—NHL 24. This top-tier sports title is set to be released on various platforms. Although there’s limited information available, it’s confirmed that the cover athlete will be Cale Makar, the defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche.
Loaded with innovative features and lifelike animations, NHL 24 follows in the footsteps of its predecessors like NHL 06, 07, and 20. The game pledges to deliver intense, physics-based gameplay. Featuring the new Exhaust Engine, it brings in groundbreaking mechanics to enhance the authenticity of the hockey experience. This engine introduces systems like Sustained Pressure and Goalie Fatigue.
With over 75 animations, players can expect a closer look at the effects of these systems during gameplay. The game will spotlight physical contact, showcasing the realistic nature of body checks, though this might result in some intense and potentially violent scenes. Additionally, the game’s availability across multiple platforms ensures enjoyable multiplayer cross-play.
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Bush Hockey League
Despite its slightly blurry graphics, the Bush Hockey League offers an abundance of unmatched enjoyment. This game provides a raw, no-training-wheels, safety-out-the-window experience. While the standard 5v5 ice hockey gameplay is there, the characters defy convention by ditching protective gear and playing as aggressively as possible.
The game encourages players to employ any means necessary to secure victory – from throwing elbows and executing shoulder, cross, and hip checks to pulling opponents’ clothes, engaging in brawls, knocking out adversaries, and even using the hockey stick as a weapon! As expected, the team that endures more injuries and can’t continue is the one that finds itself on the losing side.
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Slapshot: Rebound
Slapshot: Rebound is frequently likened to the hockey version of Rocket League. It shares similar graphics but delivers rapid arcade-style gameplay, demanding quick reaction times, teamwork, control, precision, and strategic thinking.
Like Rocket League, you can play offline in training modes, minigames, and high-score battles. Additionally, you can engage in multiplayer action with a pre-established group of friends or random online players. The game is free to play indefinitely, and despite featuring an in-game shop, the creators strongly oppose any form of pay-to-win elements.
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Hockey Manager 20|20
Unlike the two manager games mentioned earlier, Hockey Manager 20|20 introduces a 3D playing experience instead of the typical 2D format. The core gameplay remains the same, allowing you to take on the manager and/or head coach role, meticulously refining every aspect of your team’s success. This includes drafting, transferring, trading, and signing players, with the freedom to adjust your squad, trainers, coaches, and sponsors. Additionally, you can partake in prestigious events like World Cups or the Olympics.
Where this game stands out is its expanded features. Hockey Manager 20|20 grants you control over sponsorships, merchandising, youth and amateur programs, stadiums, fan support, stock market involvement, and more. This added layer of complexity provides a comprehensive and immersive experience for those who want to delve into the finer details of managing a hockey team.
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Eastside Hockey Manager
Eastside Hockey Manager stands out as one of the premier hockey management games for PC and boasts licensing with the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). Offering a wealth of leagues, cups, clubs, and players from across the globe, the game caters to solo and online play, accommodating up to 30 players. You take control of the narrative upon selecting to lead a club or national team.
Managing aspects such as drafting, trading, or signing players, choosing the coaching team, physiotherapist, and scout, and deciding whether to hire a head coach or assume the role yourself, you shape your team’s destiny. The game allows you to observe each match from a 2D or top-down camera view.
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Super Blood Hockey
While Super Blood Hockey might not be visually stunning, it compensates with its engaging arcade-style gameplay and diverse game modes. The offline mode, Franchise Mode, allows you to assemble a team of inmates and compel them to play hockey until exhaustion.
The gameplay involves intense and gritty elements, including blood-splattering cuts, concussions, seizures, and vomiting. In this mode, you can also manage various aspects such as their diet, steroid use, and exercise schedule, adjust their skating style and position, and control violence levels. Beyond the single-player experience, the game offers LAN multiplayer support for up to 4 players, a global tournament feature, and the challenging Challenge Mode.
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Mini Hockey Champ
Mini Hockey Champ is a hockey game designed exclusively for 1v1 matches, making it suitable for players of all skill levels. You can engage in exhibition matches with customisable rules or explore entertaining and challenging modes like Fire Pucks and Big Head Mode. For a more competitive experience, you can participate in a Championship, progressing through four rounds against the world’s best teams.
The scoreboard mode adds a competitive edge by encouraging players to break records and improve their stats. Additionally, the game offers a local multiplayer mode, allowing you to enjoy a gaming session with a friend, whether they are a newcomer or a seasoned player.
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