EA's 3 on 3 NHL Arcade skates on to XBLA, PSN in February

by Justin McElroy { Dec 5th 2008 at 9:00AM }

In a move that might -- might -- get us excited to play a hockey game again, EA has announced 3 on 3 NHL Arcade, a super-deformed "hockey-lite" coming to XBLA and PSN in February for $10. EA describes it as a "no rules, fast paced" take on the sport (though we're assuming there are some rules, as tempting as "Calvinhockey" sounds) that's being developed by EA Canada, the house behind NHL 09.

So, is your interest piqued? Is it at least pucqued? We know we haven't been this excited about hockey since the mid-90s when Fox found those magical glowing pucks at the top of a beanstalk.

Tags: 3-on-3-nhl-arcade, ea, ea-canada, ea-sports, nhl-arcade

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

M @ Dec 5th 2008 9:07AM

Calvin and Hobbes is awesome.

just....playwhutyalike @ Dec 5th 2008 9:11AM

Hell yeah! I had a few of the compilations and read those over and over as kid.

koehler83 @ Dec 5th 2008 10:35AM

Alright! Its Wayne Gretzky's Hockey all over again!

That was a sweet casual hockey game. I think I might check this one out if the online is any good.

mmxzero @ Dec 5th 2008 11:15AM

That's all I would really want is a remade or new Wayne Gretzky's 3D hockey for xbla. I dont really like the way this game looks but if there's a demo I'll give it a shot.

Rhinosaur @ Dec 5th 2008 9:23AM

Those poor hockey players, obviously plagued with elephantitis.

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Dec 5th 2008 9:44AM

I totally read that as "Elephant titties".

*goes to get some morning coffee*

Brazell @ Dec 5th 2008 9:23AM

Excited to play a hockey game again? Not to be a stick in the mud... but the NHL '07 - '09 should have any videogame fan playing hockey games again. I'm not into hockey and neither are any of my friends, nor do we play sports games, but NHL09 was one of the best multiplayer games of the year.

grapejoos @ Dec 5th 2008 1:26PM

Agree completely. NHL 09 is the best hockey game EA has ever made and by far the best sports game of the year, in my opinion. Say what you will about the rest of EA and EA Sports, but their NHL team has been doing a hell of a job for the past 3 years.

If you enjoy watching hockey or if you enjoyed the glory days of the NHL series in the 16 bit era, give it a try.

M @ Dec 5th 2008 1:49PM

But is it better than NHL 94?

sldtrap @ Dec 5th 2008 9:36AM

Justin, I'm totally impressed that you threw that FUBAR "Fox Trax" glowing puck reference into your post! 10 points to you!

murph @ Dec 5th 2008 9:36AM

Noooo! Whyyyy? All they had to do was release NHL 94 with updated rosters and online play. Not this junk.

Dirty @ Dec 5th 2008 9:43AM

That visor looks dangerous.

Logic Bus @ Dec 5th 2008 9:51AM

Hmm. This sounds a little like NHL Hitz, which released in 2002 and 2003 flavors, and has never made its way to Xbox 360 compatibility.

Ronin @ Dec 5th 2008 10:33AM

NHL Hitz 2003 and NHL Hitz Pro are both BC...HE'S ON FIRE! IS IT THE SKATES?

Logic Bus @ Dec 5th 2008 11:00AM

I was afraid I was wrong about Hitz 2003 and BC -- and that someone would call me out about it.

I only liked 2002, hated 2003 and never played Pro.

Patrick Ruh-Wah!

AwesomeTown @ Dec 5th 2008 9:59AM

Looks interesting, but I'm still more interested in picking up NHL09.

Grammar freak @ Dec 5th 2008 10:06AM

Would this game be considered "sloppy seconds" to nhl 09?

Dirty @ Dec 5th 2008 11:02AM

I heard in this game you can stand in front of the goalie and flail your arms about.

gman8966 @ Dec 5th 2008 12:53PM

Are you saying that the evil genius Sean Avery is a playable character! Awesome!

OddyOh @ Dec 5th 2008 1:36PM

If this is anything like NHL Hitz, where do I pre-order?! :)

Sketchmaster @ Dec 5th 2008 10:15AM

Why? What EA should be doing is give some NHL love and create a god damn NHL STREET. Cmon road hockey in oncoming traffic would be sic. Every other EA sports got done up a la EA BIG.

Guibs @ Dec 5th 2008 10:22AM

Guys, this is an ARCADE TITLE that will be sold online for 10$ (or 800mspt I guess). For that price, if it offers a nice roster and good complay and the madatory great multiplayer experience, I say why not?
It's made by the same guys who made NHL09 which is amazing.

Obviously, this is a more arcady type of hockey game and should not be comapred with the full fledge NHL 09 game.