Controls with Puck Speed burst Shoot Clear/Flip puck Deke/Role move Basic pass Create seasons. Dominate tournaments. Become a legend. www.xsnsports.com TM ONLINE ENABLED Pivot Pinpoint pass/ Drop pass (click) On-the-Fly Coaching Move Pause game Speed burst Stick check Dive/Block shot Body check/Role move Switch player Controls without Puck Pivot Advanced switch player/ Switch to last defenseman (click) On-the-Fly Coaching Move Pause game 0903 Part No. X09-97713 Contents Safety Information About Photosensitive Seizures A very small percentage of people may experience a seizure when exposed to certain visual images, including flashing lights or patterns that may appear in video games. Even people who have no history of seizures or epilepsy may have an undiagnosed condition that can cause these "photosensitive epileptic seizures" while watching video games. These seizures may have a variety of symptoms, including lightheadedness, altered vision, eye or face twitching, jerking or shaking of arms or legs, disorientation, confusion, or momentary loss of awareness. Seizures may also cause loss of consciousness or convulsions that can lead to injury from falling down or striking nearby objects. Immediately stop playing and consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Parents should watch for or ask their children about the above symptoms--children and teenagers are more likely than adults to experience these seizures. The risk of photosensitive epileptic seizures may be reduced by sitting farther from the television screen, using a smaller television screen, playing in a well-lit room, and not playing when you are drowsy or fatigued. If you or any of your relatives have a history of seizures or epilepsy, consult a doctor before playing. Other Important Health and Safety Information The Xbox Instruction Manual contains important health and safety information that you should read and understand before using this software. CONTENTS 2 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 1 12 13 14 15 17 17 20 22 24 25 29 30 31 32 33 Avoid Damage to Your Television Do not use with certain televisions. Some televisions, especially front- or rear-projection types, can be damaged if any video games, including Xbox games, are played on them. Static images presented during the normal course of gameplay may "burn in" to the screen, causing a permanent shadow of the static image to appear at all times, even when video games are not being played. Similar damage may occur from static images created when placing a video game on hold or pause. Consult your television owner's manual to determine if video games can be played safely on your set. If you are unable to find this information in the owner's manual, contact your television dealer or the manufacturer to determine if video games can be played safely on your set. Introduction Ways to Play On Screen User Profiles Controls with the Puck Controls without the Puck Passing Shooting Checking Advanced Controls Controller Options Fighting and Fuses Face-Offs Player Roles and Special Moves On-the-Fly Coaching Team Plays Infractions and Penalties Season Mode XSN Sports Xbox Live Pickup Game Hockey Basics Credits Warranty Customer Support ©A l Be llo/ Ge tty Ima ges / NH LI 1 INTRODUCTION Introduction Avs and Red Wings. Leafs and Canadiens. Oilers and Flames. Some teams just weren't meant to get along. Welcome to NHL Rivals 2004. Whether you're a die-hard hockey fan or you're just starting your rookie season, this is the fastpaced, hard-hitting action you've been wanting. You'll see your favorite NHL teams brought to life in a way no other game can match--with fluid animation, jaw-dropping graphics, precise and intuitive control, immersive surround sound, and unique modes of online play with the Xbox LiveTM service and XSN Sports. Oh yeah. There might be a bit of fisticuffs, too. But, enough hype. Lace 'em up, and we'll see you on the ice. WAYS TO PLAY Single Game Select two NHL teams, and start an exhibition game. After you unlock any special hidden teams, this is where you can put 'em to use. Game Modes Select this option, set your rules, and start playing. You can play a Season, Playoff, or Tournament series--controlling one or more of your favorite NHL teams. Make the big trade, pick up a free agent, and deal with injuries as you guide your team to the championship. ® ® Ways to Play It all starts on the Main Menu, where you'll find several ways to get into the game. Xbox Live Take on your friends with Xbox Live. You also can access XSNsports.com seasons and tournaments here. Open Ice Take your favorite team on the ice for a little no-pressure practice and a few helpful gameplay hints. System Link Connect up to six Xbox consoles over System Link for some local multiplayer fun. Options Instant Rivalry Jump instantly into a game between two randomly selected rival NHL teams. This could be recent playoff rivals, maybe a regional grudge match, or even a longstanding feud. Whatever it is, it's not gonna be an ice cream social. Create players, manage team rosters, and adjust music playlists (see the Xbox documentation for more information). Set the game up just the way you want. Y'know--all the nuts and bolts stuff. 2 3 ON SCREEN On Screen When selected, each player is surrounded by useful information that can help you plan line changes and strategy. Player Role Icon This shows your current player's Player Role. For more on Player Roles, see pg. 15. Player Role Icon Speed Burst Meter Fatigue Meter Player Fuse Position User Profiles Your user profile is where your controller and gameplay preferences are kept. Your profile will be saved to the Xbox hard disk. You can create a new user profile by selecting User Profiles from the Options menu. After you've created your profile, your preferences will be saved to that profile until you create or select another one. You also can delete your user profile from the User Profiles menu. But, be careful! If you delete your profile, you will lose all of the information it contains. USER PROFILES Speed Burst Meter This depletes as you use the speed burst. It'll recharge when not in use. Position This shows your player's position--center, left wing, right wing, defenseman, or goalie. Fatigue Meter This shows how much energy your player has. Player Fuse This shows your player's likelihood of getting into a fight. For more on Fighting and Fuses, see pg. 13. To create a user profile 1. From the Main Menu, choose Options. 2. Select User Profiles. 3. Select New User Profile from the menu. 4. Press A to create a new user profile. 5. Use the virtual keyboard to give your profile a name. Camera Controls You can change the angle or zoom of the game camera to fit your personal preferences. 1. While in-game, press 2. Select Cameras. 3. Use ? to adjust the zoom and camera angle, and press X to change the camera orientation. (To restore all camera defaults, press Y.) Select from one of four settings. · Normal Home team begins the game going up the screen, with the camera alternating each period. · Reverse Away team begins the game going up the screen, with the camera alternating each period. · Home Home team is locked going up the screen. · Away Away team is locked going up the screen. 4. Press To delete an existing user profile 1. From the Main Menu, choose Options. 2. Select User Profiles. 3. Select the user profile you want to delete. 4. Press A to delete the user profile. > START to bring up the Pause menu. Key to Xbox Controls ? R L = Directional Pad r = Right Trigger l = Left Trigger = Right Thumbstick = Left Thumbstick 4 B to return to the Pause menu. © Noah Graham/Getty Images/NHLI 5 CONTROLS WITH PUCK Controls with the Puck "Gimme the puck! Gimme the puck!" OK, you got the puck. Now what? Controls without the Puck Unless you're a total puck hog, you're going to spend a little time skating without the biscuit. Here's how you make yourself useful. CONTROLS WITHOUT PUCK Shoot Pivot Speed burst Clear/Flip puck Deke/Role move Basic pass Pivot Stick check Speed burst Dive/Block shot Body check/ Role move Switch player Pinpoint pass/ Drop pass (click) On-the-Fly Coaching Pause game Move Advanced switch player/ Switch to last defenseman (click) On-the-Fly Coaching Pause game Move JD's Tip Hey--this is John Davidson, former NHL goalie and your guide to NHL Rivals 2004. Look for my tips throughout the manual for quick ways to improve your game! JD's Tip The speed burst is like a gas pedal. Crank on r, and you'll pour on the speed but run out of steam fast. Pull it only partway, and you'll use up your speed burst at a slower rate. 6 7 PASSING Passing Good puck movement can be the difference between controlling the game or spending three periods with a dumb look on your face. There are four types of passes in NHL Rivals 2004--basic, saucer, pinpoint, and drop. Basic Pass When you have the puck, select a direction with L, and press A . The puck will skim along the ice to the nearest player in that direction. Saucer Pass Aim with L, and press and hold A. You'll lift the puck into the air and send it arcing toward the nearest player in that direction. You also can perform a saucer pass by clicking and holding R, aiming it toward a teammate, and then releasing it. Pinpoint Pass Aim R in the direction of the player to whom you want to pass. The puck will travel in the direction you selected. Drop Pass Click R to drop the puck directly behind you. This is a good way to fake out a defender or get rid of the puck if you see heavy coverage headed your way. Shooting You're in position--all you have to do is beat that goalie. Here's what you have in your toolbox: Wrist Shot To execute a wrist shot, aim with L and tap X. This shot is quick and accurate, but not as powerful as the slap shot. Slap Shot To pull off the slap shot, press and hold X. You'll see your player indicator circle fill up. Release the button when your player indicator circle is completely solid. This charge-up time makes your slap shot more powerful, but it also gives opposing players a chance to steal the puck away. To cancel a slap shot in mid-swing, press A . One-Timer Timing is everything for this shot. When a pass is en route to a player with a clear shot, press X just before the puck arrives. The receiving player will attempt the one-timer as soon as the puck reaches him. This shot lacks accuracy, but its split-second execution can spell doom for an opposing netminder. Wraparound Shot This shot can be tricky--but in a good way. When you're behind the opposing net, skate close to it, and press X. Your player will reach around the front of the net to tuck in a shot. It's a great way to catch a goalie out of position. SHOOTING JD's Tip When you make a pinpoint pass, the puck will travel in the direction you choose even if no player is there to receive it. This can be useful when you're leading the receiving player or if you're trying to chip the puck out of the defensive zone along the boards. JD's Tip If the goalie has moved to one side of the net to cover an attack, try shooting for the open gap, or get it to a player in a better position to take advantage. You also can use B to deke before the shot. This can get the goalie to move out of position. 8 9 CHECKING Checking You'll check on both ends of the ice, but good checking is especially critical on defense. There are a few different ways to check in NHL Rivals 2004. Body Check To execute a body check, press B when you're near another player, and then push L in the direction of the player you want to check. To increase the power of a body check, use a speed burst before making contact. Pinning To execute a pin, use L to wedge another player against the boards. To break free from a pin, move L left and right quickly, or set the puck free by moving R left and right quickly. Stick Check To stick check, skate up to the player with the puck, and press X. This will pry the puck from another player's control. Hook To hook, press and hold X to slow your opponent down with your stick. This can be very effective at separating an opposing player from the biscuit. Dive/Block Shot To block an incoming shot, press Y. Your player will dive in the way of the puck (ouch!). Advanced Controls We've covered enough of the game-control basics to get you on the ice in NHL Rivals 2004, but two control features deserve indepth explanations: Pivot Control and Right Thumbstick Control. ADVANCED CONTROLS Pivot Control Pivot Control allows you, with the pull of l, to rotate your player 180 degrees. The player will continue to travel in the same direction he was moving, but he'll be facing the opposite direction. It's a simple tool, but knowing when and how to use it separates the All-Stars from the junior leaguers. Right Thumbstick Control The R gives you advanced control over two important functions--passing (with the puck) and switching players (without the puck ...