The best hockey game on NES, without hesitation. Fast, fun, with real brawls. Konami captured the essence of hockey with delightful precision. Still excellent in multiplayer.
Your verdict
Category
Sports1 player7+
Description
Konami ice hockey simulation featuring national teams and realistic mechanics. Published by Konami, released in Europe in 1988. National teams with named players, passing, shooting and body check mechanics and tournament and exhibition modes. NES port of Konami's Blades of Steel arcade.
The European PAL edition of Konami's hockey hit, rarer than the US version and particularly cherished by NES sports collectors in Scandinavia. The synthetic 'Blades of Steel' voice at start-up remains a strong identity hook. PAL CIB in an intact cardboard box trades upward without excess, and the lack of any recent physical port keeps demand alive among players, not only collectors.
Is Blades of Steel still worth playing in 2026?
Blades of Steel is, without hesitation, the best hockey game on NES. Fast, fun, fluid for the console and fed by playable fights that erupt like in the real sport, Konami's title captures the essence of hockey with delightful precision. The controls stay intuitive, the pacing perfect for short matches, and local multiplayer turns instantly addictive. Not a simulation, but arcade in its most communicative form. For Konami retro sports fans and evenings with friends, still an excellent buy with no regrets today.
