Gretzky NHL drifts more towards the arcade side of the spectrum rather than the sim side. All of the rules are here as are some sim elements, meaning you’re not getting
NHL Hitz, but the gameplay is much faster. Most games are high scoring matches, making more “realistic” scores (like 1 to 0) more of a rarity. Even more casual hockey fans such as myself will have an easy time scoring once they get the hang of things. Fans wanting more low scoring and more sim-like games can switch from automatic to manual aiming, making shots much trickier to land.
Many of the modes from the PS2 version find their way to the PSP, although a few – like Franchise – have been removed. Quick Play and Exhibition games are available when you’re looking for a quick game, while Season is the meatier core gameplay mode. Although limited to one season, you can still make trades and pick up new players to help you out. An Online mode is also available if you have access to a wireless hotspot. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anyone to play against, making it difficult to report on lag or other online issues that may pop up.
As you play through games, you can attempt to meet Gretzky Challenges. These are usually game conditions you can meet during games such as shutting out a team or scoring a certain point number. Completing challenges unlocks items like classic jerseys and “cheats” (like perfect aiming). You can also unlock four versions of Wayne Gretzky himself, each following different points in his career. Once on your team, the Great One acts much like Bo Jackson did in early NES football games; he’s an unstoppable force that can guarantee wins. Challenges give you a little something else to work for during games, especially once you a get a few seasons under your belt and the game gets a little stale.
