Super Blood Hockey (Cross-platform, 2017)

Release date: Thursday 17th August 2017

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Published by: Digerati

Developed by: Loren Lemcke

Genres: Sports

Story Driveđź“– 2/20
Accessibility🚪 15/20
Depth🤿 8/20
Challengeđź’€ 14/20
Duration⌛ 9/20
Freedom🌎 9/20
Review Scores
3xBBA
Fouttaf Score
Dimension: 3
The similarities to the classic Ice Hockey on the NES (1988) are immediately apparent, and it’s clear that Super Blood Hockey knows exactly what formula it’s going for. That said, this is not a game that aims for ambition—nor does it need to. The fact that a single person developed the entire game is already impressive in itself, and expecting anything close to a large-scale production would be unrealistic. Instead, the game thrives on its simplicity and nostalgic charm, delivering an experience that feels like a love letter to old-school sports titles.
The Flair: B
While not the most polished pixel art in the genre, Super Blood Hockey absolutely nails its retro aesthetic. The visuals emanate pure 8-bit charm, and the menus and UI are surprisingly well-designed, making navigation smooth and pleasant. The soundtrack, while not particularly extensive, is an absolute banger. The infectious beats lodge themselves firmly in your brain, refusing to leave even after you’ve put the game down. The music’s energy perfectly complements the chaotic, high-speed action, amplifying the frantic nature of the matches.
The Feel: B
The core gameplay is fast, chaotic, and incredibly tense. The action never slows down, making every match a high-adrenaline affair. Scoring a goal feels fantastic, thanks to well-implemented ball physics that add a realistic weight to each shot, and the brawls are also funny and help breaking the frantic tempo of the matches, while also adding a bit of luck to the equation with how injuries work. Despite all these qualities, the goalie AI can be inconsistently difficult, which leads to moments of frustration, giving the game an “irregularly challenging” feel. Sometimes you are able to score 7-8 goals no problem, and then the following match it seems impossible to get a single shot in the back of the net. The difficulty settings don't help here either, with "easy" mode already posing a serious challenge. This might appeal to hardcore players, but it risks alienating casual fans. Beyond the matches, franchise mode introduces management mechanics that sound great in theory but struggle a bit in execution.
The Fuel: A
The game offers several modes, with Challenge and Franchise standing out, and, in general terms, the game presents a fair amount of good content for its scope. One area where Super Blood Hockey could have gained more personality is in its national teams. If each team had its own unique fictional roster, playing as different countries would have felt distinct and immersive. Instead, we just get palette-swapped versions of the same generic players, which feels like a missed opportunity. And let’s talk about some other confusing inconsistencies—how do we get a bizarre kidney-removal cutscene at the start, yet zero celebration when we win a season's trophy? That’s criminal.
Solid
73
Classic Score
Conclusions
Loren Lemcke delivers a true blast from the past, capturing the essence of retro hockey gaming in a fast-paced, blood-soaked package. Super Blood Hockey is a solid sports title, filled with frantic, high-adrenaline gameplay that successfully transports players back to the golden age of arcade sports games. While some balancing issues and irregular management mechanics hold it back, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who loves hockey or has a soft spot for retro sports games.
Super Blood Hockey
Super Blood Hockey (Cross-platform, 2017)
Badge Cabinet
Release date: Thursday 17th August 2017
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Published by: Digerati
Developed by: Loren Lemcke
Genres: Sports
Trait Chart
Story Drive đź“– 2/20
Accessibility 🚪 15/20
Depth 🤿 8/20
Challenge đź’€ 14/20
Duration ⌛ 9/20
Freedom 🌎 9/20
Review Scores
3xBBA
Fouttaf Score
Dimension: 3
The similarities to the classic Ice Hockey on the NES (1988) are immediately apparent, and it’s clear that Super Blood Hockey knows exactly what formula it’s going for. That said, this is not a game that aims for ambition—nor does it need to. The fact that a single person developed the entire game is already impressive in itself, and expecting anything close to a large-scale production would be unrealistic. Instead, the game thrives on its simplicity and nostalgic charm, delivering an experience that feels like a love letter to old-school sports titles.
The Flair: B
While not the most polished pixel art in the genre, Super Blood Hockey absolutely nails its retro aesthetic. The visuals emanate pure 8-bit charm, and the menus and UI are surprisingly well-designed, making navigation smooth and pleasant. The soundtrack, while not particularly extensive, is an absolute banger. The infectious beats lodge themselves firmly in your brain, refusing to leave even after you’ve put the game down. The music’s energy perfectly complements the chaotic, high-speed action, amplifying the frantic nature of the matches.
The Feel: B
The core gameplay is fast, chaotic, and incredibly tense. The action never slows down, making every match a high-adrenaline affair. Scoring a goal feels fantastic, thanks to well-implemented ball physics that add a realistic weight to each shot, and the brawls are also funny and help breaking the frantic tempo of the matches, while also adding a bit of luck to the equation with how injuries work. Despite all these qualities, the goalie AI can be inconsistently difficult, which leads to moments of frustration, giving the game an “irregularly challenging” feel. Sometimes you are able to score 7-8 goals no problem, and then the following match it seems impossible to get a single shot in the back of the net. The difficulty settings don't help here either, with "easy" mode already posing a serious challenge. This might appeal to hardcore players, but it risks alienating casual fans. Beyond the matches, franchise mode introduces management mechanics that sound great in theory but struggle a bit in execution.
The Fuel: A
The game offers several modes, with Challenge and Franchise standing out, and, in general terms, the game presents a fair amount of good content for its scope. One area where Super Blood Hockey could have gained more personality is in its national teams. If each team had its own unique fictional roster, playing as different countries would have felt distinct and immersive. Instead, we just get palette-swapped versions of the same generic players, which feels like a missed opportunity. And let’s talk about some other confusing inconsistencies—how do we get a bizarre kidney-removal cutscene at the start, yet zero celebration when we win a season's trophy? That’s criminal.
Conclusions

Loren Lemcke delivers a true blast from the past, capturing the essence of retro hockey gaming in a fast-paced, blood-soaked package. Super Blood Hockey is a solid sports title, filled with frantic, high-adrenaline gameplay that successfully transports players back to the golden age of arcade sports games. While some balancing issues and irregular management mechanics hold it back, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who loves hockey or has a soft spot for retro sports games.

Solid
73
Classic Score