Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Review #02 - Hat Trick (Atari 7800)



(2019 Update: New upload.)

If you're interested in reading the written review that was posted on GameFAQs some time ago, just click on the break thing. They both pretty much say the same thing anyway despite the different wording.


Hat Trick... by definition, it's attained when a single player scores three goals in a game. I guess the name makes sense considering the game is essentially one-on-one ice hockey (or two-on-two if you count the goaltenders). Unfortunately, that's the only semblance of hat tricking that you're going to be getting from this game... a game that is less super than the box cover implies.

Originally a fairly popular arcade game released in 1984 by Bally Midway, Hat Trick makes a somewhat smooth transition to the Atari 7800 by replicating the arcade experience with little trouble. Each game lasts about three minutes and the goal is to score more goals than your opponent before time expires and the zamboni machine comes out. In essence, it's the most basic form of ice hockey you could get. A fair enough concept for a 1984 arcade game, but a bland concept for a 1987 home video game system.

For the most part, the game is playable, responsive, and relatively simple to learn. Both your player and goalie are controlled by the joystick, while the buttons shoot the puck. The set-up works well enough and the game isn't necessarily broken or anything, so that's fine. The graphics in Hat Trick are decent enough; everything looks like what it should and the simplistic nature doesn't really distract nor does it enhance the game. The sound is somewhat alright, although the jingles are irritating to say the least.

Hat Trick is best played with two players, because the computer on Novice level is an absolute joke. Alternatively, the Expert level is fairly competent and takes some skill to defeat.

The main problem with Hat Trick is that as much fun as it was to play the game in the arcades, it's significantly less so to play at home. Although the game is better than what you would find on, say, the Atari 2600, it pales in comparison to the hockey titles gracing the Nintendo Entertainment System, mostly notable Nintendo's Ice Hockey and Konami's Blades of Steel. In an age when it was possible to play video games that featured multiple teams to choose from and full 5-on-5 ice hockey games with the standard rules in place, Hat Trick seems a bit antiquated and lackluster.

Don't get me wrong. Hat Trick is a competent enough game that plays well enough and can be fun for a few minutes, but isn't neccessarily good enough to keep your attention for long. Don't bother with this one.

BREAKDOWN
Graphics: 6/10 (recognizable players and goalies, decent but not great)
Sound: 3/10 (terrible music complements average sound effects)
Gameplay: 5/10 (straightforward and responsive; nothing more)
Challenge: 5/10 (very easy Novice mode, somewhat hard Expert mode)
Replay Value: 2/10 (you'll drop this quickly for a better game)

OVERALL: 4/10

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