Ready to hit the ice, tough guy? EA Sports returns to the rink with its patented brand of realistic NHL hockey. Not only does NHL '99 feature all of the real teams and players of the 1997 NHL season, there are 18 international teams to compete against, including the popular Czech Republic team and the North American and World All-Star teams. You can even set up your own Olympic-style hockey tournament with a combination of these teams and the regular NHL squads. Shootout enthusiasts will appreciate the inclusion of a mode solely dedicated to such contests, while real die-hards are sure to take to the full 82-game season. You can, of course, play a single exhibition game too. All-new, motion-captured animations of John Vanbiesbrouk and Mike Sillenger add to the realistic gameplay, and the fights are absolutely unbelievable. The play control is easy and responsive, letting gamers of all skill levels in on the action, while more experienced hockey fans will enjoy the accelerated play options. With smart AI, current rule changes, and so many customizable options, the NHL has never looked so good.