

But with the feeling of hockey by all accounts pretty thoroughly realised on the ice, NHL 2004 developer Black Box is turning its attention to the managerial side of things with a new "Dynasty Mode" packed with options.

We certainly don't know much about running a "Franchise". We've been playing EA's NHL titles since we had Mega Drives and Super Nintendos, so it's a testament to our lack of interest that we still only understand a handful of rules and only recognise about 15 players' names. So whether you know Lindross from Gretzky or wouldn't know a puck from a black pudding, NHL 2004 is still a prospective purchase - after all, what's fun is fun. But if there's one thing the NHL can flog on this continent it's videogames. In fact, the embodiment of our enthusiasm for the subject might find a pint glass a little loose around the hips.

The NHL is clearly not as big over here as it is in the US and Canada.
