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Most of you probably have no memory of neither NHL 94 (Mega Drive, SNES, 1993) or “Ike Ike Nekketsu” Hockey (NES, 1992). Well, if that´s the case. Then please allow me to give you a brief introduction of the games. NHL 94 was a very brutal ice hockey game by EA Sports. In fact, it´s still one of the most violent NHL games ever created. For example, you could tackle players so hard that they would lay down on the ice in a pool of blood. And there was a heavy arcade feeling to NHL 94 as well. So NHL 94 became a mega hit on release. As for “Ike Ike Nekketsu,” you might be familiar with old-school NES sport titles such as “Super Dodge Ball” and “Nintendo World Cup”? (Technōs Japan). If not, back then those games were some of the most brutal and fun sport games that you could play on an 8-bit system. As there were no rules pretty much, you just used every dirty trick in the book in order to win your matches.

Super Blood Hockey made me think about a mix of NHL 94 and Ike Ike Nekketsu Hockey.

However, once the 16-bit systems hit the market. That kind of genre wasn´t quite the same anymore. As the retro feel had been peeled off for most part. So I was far from alone to miss games such as “Nintendo World Cup” and “Ike Ike Nekketsu.” once the 8-bit era was over. Sure, NHL 94 is a 16-bit game. Nevertheless, NHL 94 has always felt much more retro than it really is. Anyhow, now it´s the year 2015 (and 2016 is just around the corner). And games of this kind is almost none existing. Well, so I thought at least. However, Loren Lemcke (a Finnish indie developer) “might” change all of that. As his brutal 8-bit ice hockey game “Super Blood Hockey” (Windows, MAC, Linux and Xbox One) is set for a release sometime next year.

Canada Vs Finland?

And it seems like Loren Lemcke have really high ambitions with “Super Blood Hockey” as well. As he has described the game like this via the Blood Hockey homepage:

“The golden age of 8-bit sports is back!”

Super Blood Hockey is a revival of classic 8-bit era sports games, with a dash of ultra-violence, powered by a modern 2D physics engine. Experience a retro pixel aesthetic in combination with fast paced, violent hockey action featuring both single player´and multiplayer modes of gameplay. Challenge your friends to a match and relive the glory days of competitive arcade sports gaming!”

I don´t know about you, but I really like the sound of that. So I´m going to sign up for the “Super Blood Hockey” beta right away!