0 to Z of Playstation 1 Games - 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge

                                  

2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge is an arcade Ice Hockey game released by Midway Games in 1995 and by Avalanche Studios the latter were responsible for the Playstation port of the game, they released the port in December of 1996, the game was published by Midway Home Entertainment and GT Interactive Software.

The game was similar to the original arcade version but with one change the Winnipeg Jets who at the end of the 95/96 season moved from their native Winnipeg to Phoenix and became the Phoenix Coyotes, they would replace the Jets in the Playstation version of the game as well as most of the original team who were also replaced for the Playstation port.

The game features 26 NHL teams and over 100 players available to choose from the game also includes Chicago Blackhawks long time serving announcer Pat Foley, the Gameplay has been described as a similar feel to Midway’s own NBA Jam, and like its basketball predecessor the games features a number of secret characters, including a number of Midway Staff and Hockey legend Gordie Howe, it is also the first and only hockey game that players can use the licensed versions of Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky.

Sports game no story present.

Reviews for 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge while not large in number they are certainly a mixed bag, starting at the top GamePro gave the game a 4.5/5 which equates to a 9/10 or a 90/100 rating with Bruised Lee of GamePro stating, the game "proves that Midway will continue to dominate the arcade sports market long after the success of NBA Jam." He praised the numerous Easter eggs, sharp graphics, fluid animation, and variety of moves.

While Next Generation called the game "NBA Jam on ice", and said it would be particularly appreciated since arcade hockey games were almost unheard of at the time. He applauded the game's full NHL licensing and player rosters, flaming pucks, two-on-two mode, commentary, and overall depth and playability of its hockey action.

GameSpot gave the game a solid 7.1/10 with GameSpot’s Jeff Kitts writing, like its arcade predecessor, Open Ice offers a host of power-up codes (provided in the manual) for such lighthearted, monotony-breaking modes as Big Head, Baby Head, Huge Head, Big Puck, Unlimited Turbo, Unlimited Check, Super Goalie, Baby Size Body, Increase Speed, and Fast Turbo Recovery. These options give the game a sense of character and add to the long-term replay value (especially since the game is easy enough to be mastered in minutes). With realistic hockey sims a dime a dozen on the Playstation, Open Ice is a welcome and refreshing change.

The game however was not without critics EGM only giving the game an average 6.2/10 while Official UK PlayStation Magazine stated that players should "avoid the game at all costs.

This is the part of 0 to Z where is visit four online retailers and see what the availability of the title is, and what price you would be looking at if you wanted to pick this title up the sites that I will be using for this are Amazon.com,  eStarland.com, retrogames.co.uk and Gamedude.com I know the last one is very location specific but from a podcast I listen too I have heard they have a huge stock of older games, I will also be including Ebay.com from now on.

So lets get down to business we may as well start with Gamedude, if you are looking to trade in your copy of 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge which is down as NHL Open Ice in GameDude’s listings, you are looking at a $2 trade in price, if you are in the market for a copy from Gamedude you are looking at a $7 outlay for the game.

Moving on to Retrogames.co.uk while they do have a decent range of NHL titles on sale, sadly 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge is not one of them, eStarland.com do have the game listed on their site however it is currently out of stock, it does seems a fairly cheap game with it marked up at between $0.75 - $1.50.

Moving onto Amazon.com this game does seem hard to find Amazon currently has only three copies available, hard to find but not expensive a very good quality used copy is $8.99 which is about £6.89 plus the $3.99 for shipping, it could well be worth picking up a new copy though with one on sale for $5.95 + $6.99 for shipping  which is only a couple of dollars more than a used copy of the game.

Next onto Ebay.com which in comparison to the other sites featured is pricey, two copies of the game that are on sale, this is just the disc as well, will set you back around $20 which is just over £15, if you are wanting a complete copy of the game you are looking at least $45, which is about £34 in the UK this is even before you get to the shipping costs in whatever part of the world you are in.

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Written by

P J Gibbon