Play NHL Breakaway 98 Online

Summary

NHL Breakaway 98, often just called Breakaway, introduced a momentum‑based checking system that makes a big, fast player feel dramatically different from a small, quick winger. Your size and speed dictate whether you out‑muscle an opponent or simply glide past them, so a charge from a Lindros‑type forward can feel like a wall of force while a Turgeon‑type player relies on agility.

The game’s management mode lets you earn points from season wins and spend them on coaching upgrades, player development, and injury therapies, turning the on‑ice action into a deeper strategic experience. You can edit a player’s name and number and see it appear on the jersey, and a simple public‑address announcer chimes only for penalties and goals, keeping the focus on the play.

On the Nintendo 64, Breakaway gained Rumble Pak support, new camera angles, and a speed tweak that makes the action feel less frantic but more controllable; graphics and animation are smoother, and a Controller Pak lets you save your season. A planned Sega Saturn version was scrapped when Acclaim pulled support for the console.

Critics were split on the PlayStation original—some praised the detailed animation and innovative checking, while others found the graphics rough and the control random. The N64 port earned a higher aggregate score (78% vs. 66% on PS) and was lauded for its polished visuals, refined control, and deeper simulation feel, positioning it as a solid alternative to the era’s EA and Sony hockey franchises.