Crystal Clear Sound

Holding in pent-up aggression is bad for the constitution, or so says my physician. All that anger can manifest itself in verbal outbursts, mild twitching, and general irritability. To prevent my secret rage from damaging friendships or affecting my career as an Xbox guru, my doctor prescribed fresh air, relaxation tapes, and some quality time with NHL Rivals™ 2004. Okay, I lied. He just told me to play Rivals. Why? Because it’s so realistic.

There are hockey games, and then there are hockey games. Some go for the arcade feel, and others go the simulation route. But,NHL Rivals 2004 took the unique approach of balancing fierce gameplay with total puck control. It’s a win-win situation, so everybody’s happy—and anyone who isn’t can go sit in the penalty box.

Awesome Visuals
Boasting 480p HDTV support, NHL Rivals 2004 looks great—you’re going to want a high-definition setjust to see the game’s great visuals. In fact, it looks so realistic, you can actually see the stubbly hairs on every player’s mug.

With a widescreen view, blazing hockey action never looked so good. Brutal checks and fancy stick work come alive. When the replay cameras kick in to show the game up close, especially in a fight, you’re in the thick of it.

Who Said That?
As if having high-def support wasn’t enough, the kind folks behind NHL Rivals 2004 tossed in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound capabilities. Grunts, snorts, and slapshots come at you from every direction. The crunching sound of two grown men colliding at breakneck speed will rattle every bone in your body.

The color commentary from John Davidson and Sam Rosen never sounded better¾especially when I creamed the Mighty Ducks with the Devils. That sounded especially good. Add in the crowd’s cheers and the referee calls, and you’re right there on the ice.

The Setup
Not sure what components you need for the full experience? Go to the Dolby Digital Support Page at Xbox.com, and see if that system matches yours. Next, pick up the High-Def Pack to unlock the video capabilities of your console.

All this techno babble may sound confusing, but luckily, the designers kept the guesswork out. I just hooked up my Xbox to the High Definition AV Pack and ran the cables to the proper terminals on the back of the TV, following the pretty pictures included with the box.

Next, I ran the audio cables to the surround sound decoder and … voila! The stage was set for a grudge match of my choosing. Still have questions? Call 1-800-4MY-XBOX and talk to a pro if you can’t find your answers online. They won’t steer you wrong.

By Jim W. Gettys