Online Table Games

Best Hockey Games for Nintendo Switch / PS5 / Xbox

Console hockey in 2026 is dominated by EA's NHL series, but the Switch, PS5, and Xbox also offer indie arcade alternatives, retro collections, and even browser-based daily puzzles accessible through console web apps. The selection is thinner than PC but still covers simulation, arcade, and casual play. Here's what actually works on modern consoles.

January 25, 2026

Gridzy Hockey (via Browser on Console)

Gridzy Hockey loads in console browsers (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, even Switch with effort), making it a quick daily NHL puzzle you can knock out between matches. The 3×3 grid takes 2-5 minutes, works with controller navigation, and provides a mental break from full hockey games.

EA Sports NHL (PS5/Xbox)

EA Sports NHL 24 and 25 are the mainline simulation options with realistic skating, Be a Pro, Franchise, Hockey Ultimate Team, and online modes. The current-gen versions on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S feature improved graphics, faster loading, and refined physics that finally feel next-gen after years of cross-gen limitations.

Want a hockey game you can play in under two minutes? Try Gridzy Hockey, a daily NHL grid game where every pick counts.

NHL Arcade-Style Modes (Within EA NHL)

EA NHL's Threes mode and arcade-tilted settings offer lighter couch play within the main game. Threes is 3v3 hockey with bigger hits, faster skating, and streamlined rules that make it accessible for casual players who find full simulation overwhelming.

Super Blood Hockey (Switch / Some Consoles)

Super Blood Hockey brings old-school, violent pixel hockey with local multiplayer to Switch and select consoles. The retro aesthetic and over-the-top violence make it a great party game, and the franchise mode adds surprising depth beneath the arcade surface.

Bush Hockey League (Console Versions)

Bush Hockey League's 1970s minor-league parody with story mode and season play is available on Xbox and PlayStation. The gritty presentation and semi-sim gameplay capture a specific era of hockey culture that EA's polished NHL series ignores completely.

Slapshot-Like Titles on Console (Where Ported)

Physics-heavy hockey experiences mirroring Slapshot: Rebound's style occasionally get ported to consoles when developers see demand. These titles prioritize skill-based controls and competitive multiplayer over flashy graphics, appealing to players who want mechanical depth.

If you like quick browser games with real sports knowledge baked in, Gridzy is your new morning ritual: a fresh NHL grid drops daily at 6:00am ET.

Mario Sports Titles with Hockey-Adjacent Modes

Nintendo's sports collections occasionally include ice or air hockey-style minigames in Mario Sports compilations. While not full hockey games, these modes offer quick arcade fun with Nintendo's signature accessible controls and party-game polish.

Sports Party Compilations Including Hockey Minigames

Multi-sport party packs on Switch, PS5, and Xbox often throw in air hockey or hockey shootout modes alongside other sports. These compilations target family and party play with simple controls and lighthearted presentation.

Retro Hockey via Classic Collections/Switch Online

NES and SNES classics like Ice Hockey and Blades of Steel are available through Nintendo Switch Online's retro libraries. These games defined hockey gaming in the 80s and 90s, and their simple controls and fast pace still hold up for quick versus sessions.

General Sports Game Browsers (Switch/Console Web)

Quick browser hockey titles on Poki and Playhop are accessible via console web apps on PS5, Xbox, and (with patience) Switch. These won't replace proper hockey games but offer free alternatives when you want something different from EA's yearly release.

You've played arcade hockey. Now test your hockey brain. Gridzy gives you 9 guesses to solve a daily NHL grid, and it gets addictive fast.

Why Console Hockey Feels Limited

EA's exclusive NHL license means no competition on consoles, which removes any incentive to innovate aggressively. PC and mobile have flourishing indie hockey scenes, but console players are stuck with EA's yearly updates or hunting down obscure arcade ports.

The Switch Hockey Problem

Nintendo Switch has almost no proper hockey games. EA doesn't support Switch, indie developers rarely port to Nintendo's platform, and the console's weaker hardware limits what's technically possible. Switch owners wanting hockey are mostly stuck with retro titles and browser games.

Next-Gen NHL Improvements

PS5 and Xbox Series X/S finally enabled meaningful NHL improvements after years of cross-gen releases holding back progress. Current-gen versions feature raytracing in arena presentation, faster load times between modes, and refined physics that make hitting and skating feel more realistic than previous hardware allowed.

Play Gridzy Hockey Free Every Day

Gridzy Hockey is Shurzy's daily NHL grid game where you pretend you're "just messing around" and then suddenly you're 15 minutes deep arguing with yourself about whether some 2009 fourth-liner qualifies as a 40-goal guy.

You get nine guesses to fill a 3×3 grid, you can't reuse players, and every pick is either a genius flex or instant regret. So yeah, it's basically hockey trivia with stakes.

New grid drops every day at 6:00am ET, which is perfect because nothing says "healthy morning routine" like panicking over who won the Lady Byng in 1998. If you think you know puck, prove it.

Go play Gridzy right now!

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