Bubble Hockey History

An icy idea

When the underdog U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey team upset the Soviets in Lake Placid in 1980, people around the country cheered in unison. Somewhere within the sounds of rejoicing, a group of people not far from Lake Placed heard the knock of opportunity.

Off the table, into the arcade
Innovative Concepts in Entertainment (ICE) was founded in 1982 in St. Clarence, NY with a focus on one product: bubble hockey. Their first Super Chexx bubble hockey tables captured the imagination of the public. With electronic scoring, auto puck return, sound effects, and a large, sturdy design, this first bubble hockey table raised standard stick hockey tables to a whole new level. Ultimately, bubble hockey took a tabletop game designed for kids and transformed it into a full size, stand-up arcade console for all ages to enjoy.

A uniform evolution
Part of the allure of the early Super Chexx bubble hockey tables were the hockey men's vintage USA and CCCP uniforms. Arcade-goers across the U.S. lined up to relive the glory of that unforgettable Olympic victory. After 1985, when the Cold War match up became something of an anachronism, USA vs. Canada bubble hockey tables began cropping up in arcades, fueling a longstanding NHL border rivalry.

Treat yourself to a tailored fit
Purchase a new Super Chexx bubble hockey table today, and you may even get to deck your players in the uniforms of your choice:

It's this type of realism has captured the imaginations of bubble hockey fans for nearly 25 years.

Competition on and off the ice
The Carrom Company and Shelti, two competing game manufacturers, hopped on the bubble hockey wagon in the 1990s and 2000s, respectively, as the market for home games made strides. Their bubble hockey tables, also known as dome hockey and stick hockey, range in price from around $500 up to $1,500 (compared to around $2,000 for refurbished and up to $3,000 for new Super Chexx tables). These tables may lack the history, arcade luster, and devoted following of Super Chexx bubble hockey, but they certainly bring their fair share of fun to the basement.