Dome Hockey Games
Fun under the pleasure dome!
"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:"
Thus begins Samuel Taylor Coleridge's opium-induced dream poem, "Kubla Khan," in which the powerful Chinese emperor builds a glass-dome-encased utopian retreat. That was recreation of the past. The pleasure dome in this jet-setting age refers to the super-fast, action-packed dome hockey games found in arcades and cool recreation rooms across the country.
The quest for fun and excitement continues&
Man's search for the ultimate fun game reached a momentous high in the 1980s with the arrival of the dome hockey tables. Dome hockey, also known as bubble hockey, is similar to foosball, but instead of simulated soccer, the game involves simulated ice hockey.
Designed for two to four players per game, dome hockey is exciting, as the players on either side use levers to control all five hockey players and the goalie, with the objective of scoring a goal. This fast-paced game is fun whether you are in an arcade, a bar, or even at home.
Playing for your country's honor
The name, dome hockey, comes from the shatter-proof plastic dome that covers the table's playing surface. The advantage of having this dome is that it keeps the puck on the surface and ensures uninterrupted play. In the 1980s, Chexx, the original dome hockey game, which pitted Cold War adversaries USA and Russia against each other, became very popular among arcade-goers. Following the end of the Cold War, Chexx was replaced by Super Chexx, in which NHL rivals USA and Canada vied for top honors.
Cool features make a cool game
In addition to the patriotic euphoria, the original dome hockey games manufactured by the New York-based Innovative Concepts in Entertainment (ICE) had much more to offer than the regular table hockey games.
- A choice of USA or Canadian anthem to stoke up patriotic fervor.
- Digital countdown timer to time the game.
- Overhead dome lighting for a clear view of the table.
- Electric puck eject feature which automatically returns the pack on the table after a goal is scored.
- Electronic score card of goals, shots on goal, period, and running time keep you informed about your and your opponent's statistics.
- Automatic sudden death overtime if a game is tied after the normal play makes sure there's always a winner.
- The Boo button for each team to playfully deride your opponent.