Top Five Fighting Systems in EA SPORTS NHL Video Games

The EA SPORTS NHL series has seen no shortage of varied fighting systems throughout history.

Fighting is a critical component of hockey, which is no different in chel. Generally, it is a means of rejuvenating one's team and sending a message to the other that they will not go down lightly in whatever capacity that might entail. 

EA SPORTS has included fighting as part of its games since its inception. This article highlights five of the best fighting systems, with consideration of all EA SPORTS NHL video games. 

NHL 04 is regarded as one of the best NHL video games ever produced by EA Sports. Among its many positives was its fighting system. Player names would flash in the low corners with an accompanying bell sound and an option to push a button to trigger a fight.

The fighting system itself was basic, but it involved strategy. Users could manually land high or low punches by pressing the appropriate buttons and using the analog stick to counter punches.

The feel of the fighting engine was terrific, but the accompanying sound system and rotating camera view further elevated the experience. NHL 04’s fighting system coming in as number one is primarily due to how innovative it was during its time. As one of the greatest chel games ever, this should not be too surprising.

NHL 14 introduced the new Enforcer Engine powered by UFC’s Fight Night Technology. Moving from first-person fighting, the third-person perspective in NHL 14 offered more variability in the control scheme. For instance, the engine includes push and pull techniques to throw opponents off-balance, rendering them in risky spots.

Beyond the fighting experience, the system also offers other presentation appeals. Gloves, sticks, and mini-player scrums can also be observed near the fight, thus providing a more authentic and immersive experience. In World of Chel, multiple fights could also occur simultaneously, further elevating the experience. Overall, the Enforcer Engine has delivered on its promise.

First-person fighting was introduced in NHL 10, thus giving it a spot in our top five. From a presentation appeal, the fighting system gave it a more authentic and immersive experience. Moreover, the game introduced post-whistle action. For the first time ever, players on the ice would retaliate for various reasons after the referee blew the whistle (e.g., late shots on goal). The biggest downside, however, was that everyone on the ice would miraculously disappear during a fight.

NHL 02 was another well-received game, and so was the fighting system. The fighting system included a stamina bar, and users could only throw a punch when it was full. The health bar is self-explanatory, indicating how long the player could go before dropping. The combination of the health and stamina bars made fighting in NHL 02 far more exciting. That said, no real strategy was involved, as the system was primarily a mashing contest between contestants.

NHL 98’s overall fighting system was not too innovative, but some features give it a basis to squeeze within the top five. Firstly, the length of fights was a bit unpredictable, ranging from pretty quick to sometimes a bit longer. This is because users had some freedom of movement, allowing them to skate in various directions on the ice. This was pretty innovative and, surprisingly, lacking in recent installments of NHL video games. These features make the fighting system in NHL 98 stand out. 

As this article highlights, the fighting system continued to evolve over the years. While many believe the current system is excellent, which it is, it can be further elevated. Combining the best features from various fighting systems and presentation appeals can do just that.