EA’s NHL series has established itself as one of the best sports franchises on the market, but it’s been conspicuously absent on Wii. Their maiden effort on the console, NHL Slapshot, follows in the footsteps of the Madden Wii games, eschewing traditional sim elements in favor of a fast and simple arcade approach that succeeds thanks to its excellent controls and fast pace.
It’s clear from the moment you open the box that Slapshot is meant to appeal to kids. The game comes packed with a plastic hockey stick peripheral, and it’s the perfect size for children between the ages of 8 and 12. Inserting the Wii Remote and Nunchuk into the peripheral allows it to function like an actual hockey stick, and it works well thanks to the simple but effective motion controls.
