5.0. One point for each dollar I spent, minus the one cent.

User Rating: 5 | 3 on 3 NHL Arcade PS3
When initially downloading this game off the PSN, I was left shocked that such a shallow game would fetch such a high price. However, when the PSN dropped the price to a reasonable 4.99 as a part of their limited-time offer, I decided to buy the game. At basically 5 dollars, the game provides as much as you would expect; one point rating for each dollar you invest.

The game has a new and hip style in presentation, if this was the late 90's during the NFL blitz age and you've never played a hockey video game before. From the weird "flurp" sound effects that leave you wondering how much someone was paid to make random noises, to the cartoonish character models, there isn't much to expect from this game. This is the strong point; the lack of expectations. The game is itself a quick hockey match that focuses on 2/3 of the most interesting points of hockey for a casual fan; checking and scoring (the other being fights and for real hockey fans, strategy). Power-ups are provided when checking a player. They range from super speed, double points, to mini-goalie and a few others. These power-ups are a fairly important part of the game, since the game itself doesn't lend to much scoring without them. In fact, scoring seemed so difficult unless you had an open break, or power up. Even on easy, it takes a few go-arounds to get the feel of the ice and how to perform a simple shot. At times I found myself just skating around with super speed because that was the most fun I could have. That being said, one of the enjoyable things about this game for PSN users would be the trophies. Most are extremely easy to attain and can be done in a short time. Online play exists but doesn't offer the same challenge as playing against any human player turns into a "hope for power-up" fest.

I enjoyed this game, since I waited and paid just half price. The game is by no means the greatest PSN game ever, but it's just simple fun if you have no expectations that this is the next NHL2010 or on.

Buy it cheap, play it with no expectations. flurp