Blades of Steel
Typed out by tsrken@voicenet.com
NES-VS-USA
How to play Blades of Steel(tm)
Konami(r)
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Welcome to the bid time
After a hard nosed season in the teeth smashing NHL farm system, you've
finally slap shot your way into the pros. Now you're just another no name
rookie up against the finest fore-checkers ever to grace the rink.
You've got confidence, and with stick in hand you're looking to bring home the
cup, win MVP, make the covers of major sports magazines, and date a beautiful
New York model (not necessarily in that order).
But you'll soon learn that in this league nothing's ever given to you, and
before you can reach your goals - you gotts score 'em! You've gotta possess
both the artful skill of a finesse player and the bone crushing brutality of
an enforcer. You've gotta defend the goal against unrelenting power plays.
And, finally, defend yourself when anger flares, gloves come off, and fists
start flying.
So strap on Blades of Steel, and prepare to make a name for yourself. Or be
put on ice by the hottest hit men in hockey!
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How to begin
Blades of Steel consists of three grueling periods with non-stop action. Use
the SELECT Button to choose either (1) or (2) player mode, then hit the START
Button.
One Player Mode: If only one player takes the ice, you'll face off against
tough computer competition. Begin by pressing the SELECT Button for
"Exhibition" or "Tournament" play. Press A Button to lock on your selection.
Next, use the SELECT Button to decide on one of three challenging levels -
Junior (for beginners), College (for intermediate) or Pro (for advanced). Lock
on your choice with the A Button.
Finally, press the SELECT Button to choose the team you wish to captain, and
again lock on with A Button. Then select the team name for your computer
opponent by repeating this step.
Note: If you've chosen the Tournament mode, the computer will automatically
select the opposing team. At the conclusion of the Tournament selection
process, hit the START Button to display the standings.
Two Player Mode: If you're challenging a friend, you both pick a team using
the SELECT Button, locking on with the A Button. In two player mode you cannot
select Tournament play or Level.
If for any reason you want to change your selections in either mode before the
game begins, hit the B Button to repeat the process.
When all decisions are final, press the A Button to bring the teams onto the
ice for a stick slashing good time!
The Konami Arena
This 70,000 seat mega arena is sold-out until the year 2010. Luckily, you've
got the best seat in the house: Center Ice.
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Offensive control
Control Pad
Press to maneuver player with puck in eight different directions.
B Button
Aim the player controlling the puck toward a teammate, then press B Button to
make a precision pass.
A Button
Press to shoot. Note: Shots are automatically aimed at the moving arrow in
front of the defender's goal.
Defensive control
Control Pad
Press to maneuver flashing defender in eight different directions. Also press
to control your goalie who should be kept in line with the moving arrow at all
times. Note: Press UP and DOWN to move goalie left and right. Press LEFT and
RIGHT to move him in and out.
B Button
Press to switch control of your flashing man to the defender nearest the puck.
A Button
Not used when you're on defense.
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Rules of engagement
Face-offs
At the beginning of each period, and after icing calls, the ref will line up
the teams for a traditional, quick wristed face-off. The first player to hit
the B Button when the puck is dropped will get the first shot to strike
offensively.
Icing calls
Icing occurs when a player shoots from his own territory and the puck slides
the length of the rink, past the opposing team's goal, without being touched.
When the opponent takes control of the puck from behind his net, icing will
be whistled and a face-off will occur.
Slashing & checking
If a player gets too rough (if that's really possible in this sport) a fight
will break out or a penalty will be called. This usually happens if you
repeatedly check the opponent.
If there's a fight, the screen will switch to a battle mode, and the loser of
the fight will be sent to the penalty box for a set time (see page 8 for
details).
If there's a penalty called, a penalty shot will be awarded to the player who
was victimized by the slasher (see page 9 for details).
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You gotta fight (for your right to victory)
Hockey greats are generally known to have short fuses, and in Blades of Steel,
that stereotype explodes into full blown fight scenes when the fore-checking
gets outta control!
How to duke it out
Get in your best shots by punching B Button. To cover up and protect your good
looks, press A Button for the classic rope-a-dope stance.
Also use the CONTROL PAD, pressing UP or DOWN together with the B Button to
throw blows to either the chin or stomach. And press together with the A
Button to raise or lower your guard.
By the way, if you lose the fight and get knocked on your tail, you'll be sent
to the penalty box, giving your opponent a Power Play. Your team won't return
to full strength until a referee blows the whistle.
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The penalty and the overtime scene
If a fight breaks out and the ref intervenes before fists are bruised, a
penalty shot will be awarded. If a game ends tied, 5 overtime bonus shots are
taken by each team, with the victor ultimately decided by the guy with the
most extra goals. If the game remains evenly knotted after the 5 shots, it's
on to a one shot Sudden Death finale!
How to take control during penalties and overtime
If you're the slap shooter, use the CONTROL PAD to aim your shot, then press
B Button. If you're defending the net, use the CONTROL PAD together with the
B Button to try and block the shot. NOTE: By using the CONTROL PAD, there are
eight different points you can shoot at or defend.