Developer: Radical Entertainment Distributor: Fox Sports System Requirements: Pentium 200MHZ or Equivalent Windows 95 or 98 32 MB Ram 125 MB Hard Drive Space Supports most 3D accelerators 8X CD Rom Direct X 6.1 Required for Multiplayer Support: 1 Cd per Player Network (2-10 Players) Up to 10 PC's IPX, TCP/IP Compliant network 1 CD per Computer Network Card Supported Controllers: Microsoft Sidewinder Gamepad, Gravis Gamepad Pro, Windows supported 4 or more button Gaming Controller Fox is getting into the big leagues with NHL Championship 2000. They're taking aim at the industry leaders 989 studios and EA and they've got them squarely in their sights. Da Graphics I have played the other two competing products so I know what this has to measure against. The graphics in this game are really really good. There are some excellent cinematic shots in this game and I am very impressed at how the code is written since you can see no slow down when there is lots of action on the screen. Let's not forget the one thing that makes this game its own; Fox Trax, the puck trailer which seems to help visibility a lot. A blue line appears for making a pass and a red line indicates a power shot. I would have to say that I like the intro to NHL 2000 from EA the best but hey this one comes pretty close. This title's graphics are very fluid and I have to commend them for that. Da Sound I love the commentary in this game and the two guys play off each other really well except in the replay situations where it is very bland or nonexistent. The crowd cheering is cool too but gets boring after a while. I also commend them on the speed with which the commentators pick up on the play. NHL Championship 2000 definitely has the edge over the other two competing titles in this department. Gameplay Fighting is where it's at. Actually the punching and fighting in this game is very good . I used to rate NHL Face-off as the best but this one gets high marks from me. With so many fights I figure the hockey purists out there might raise some objections. However, if such is the case, simply toggle the fight option off, and away you go. You can play this game as a simulation or as an arcade offering. In fact, you can change the rules to emulate a classic game of shinny with no offsides or icing. All 28 teams are featured including up-to-date team listings; plus this year's expansion club, the Atlanta Thrashers. NHL Championship 2000 gives you total control. As in real-life you can trade players and impliment different strategies. I shouldn't forget tournament mode which is cool because you can play for days on end that way. You can also play in Exhibition , League or Championship mode. I found I had to read the manual a bit to get going but then it was smooth sailing from there on in. Conclusion If you want the graphics and the competition, then this is the title I pick out of all the hockey sims for the PC. I found I made lots of enemies with this game on-line as I got better. EA and 989 offer great products but Fox has defintely got their foot in the door with this product. Way to go guys!! NHL Championship 2000 was reviewed by GameBoyz reader, ACE on his: Athlon 500 MHZ 128MB Ram Soundblaster Live Diamond Viper V770 Ultra