What is Bubble Hockey?
Bubble, or dome hockey as it is also called, got its name because of the very distinguished dome that covers the playfield. The gameplay is fast and realistic, as the players on either side control all five hockey players and the goalie. It is designed for 1 on 1 or 2 on 2 action. The game can be found in many entertainment centers, arcades, bars, restaurants, pubs, bowling alleys, ice rinks and pool halls, and is has been sold in over 52 different countries worldwide. Vintage versions of the game feature the USA vs. Russia, Canada vs. Russia, or USA vs. Canada formats.
Players control their five skaters with long rods that move in and out to bring skaters up and down the ice and spin 360 degrees. A knob is used to move the goalie from side to side. Each player also has access to a boo button, allowing them to express their displeasure via crowd sound effects.
Many bubble hockey leagues are forming throughout Canada and United States. Many are joining the International Bubble Hockey Federation (IBHF) and are competiting in sanctioned events throughout the year.
History of Bubble Hockey
It is very important to distinguish that the histories of bubble hockey and table hockey are very different in their originization. The 1st table hockey games arrived in the 1920s. They had players made from wood and wire. Because the players could only spin in place, early table hockey games required a hump in the center of the table to keep the puck moving during game play. In the 1950s, our idea of modern table hockey was born. These games featured full color players capable of sliding up and down the playing surface. Most agree that table hockey in this manner existed in Europe since the 1930s.
The history of bubble hockey began in 1982 when Innovative Concepts in Entertainment created the first Chexx bubble hockey game. The Chexx bubble hockey game became incredibly popular with arcade goers and hockey fans alike. The game focused the USA hockey team against the Russian hockey team. Obviously some of the allure of the game played on the emotions of American hockey fans still proud from America's 1980 Olympic Gold medal hockey victory. Today, the Super Chexx bubble hockey game is the brand of choice for most bubble hockey enthusiasts as its standards have never waned from the beginning. There are other brands competing with Super Chexx for bubble hockey supremacy. Along with the original Super Chexx, models made by Regent-Halex, Shelti, and Carrom are all worth checking out.
