NHL PowerPlay 98
Page Last Updated: 2/20/17
Windows 7/8/10 Tips
Table of Contents:
1. Installation Error - Windows 95 Required
This is easily taken care of - just run setup.exe in Windows 95 compatibility mode and that will be enough to 'fool' the installer, allowing the setup to proceed.
2. Database Patch
NHL PowerPlay 98 is actually two separate games. There's a 2D version of the game, PP_2D.exe, which resembles the classic EA SPORTS NHL games for the Sega Genesis, and a more modern (well....at least for 1997) 3D version, PP_3D.exe.
No matter which version of the game you try to run, you'll get the same error the setup gave you at first -- it will be looking for Windows 95. This time, though, you don't want to select Windows 95 compatiblity mode in the traditional way. The game will indeed run in compatibility mode, but it will be very slow.
Instead, download and install this patch. Unzip the three files to any folder and run "PatchInstall.bat." This should enable you to launch both the 3D and 2D versions without errors....
3. Play 2D Mode through DXWnd
....but if you try to actually play a game in 2D mode, the result will most likely look something like this. Yuck.
A program called DXWnd can be used to fix the graphics.
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You can download DXWnd here. Unzip the files to any folder of your choosing and run dxwnd.exe.
We have to add a profile for the game before it will work, so click edit in the DxWnd menu bar, and add from the drop down box.
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At the Target screen, enter the path for your PP_2D executable. The default settings on this page should work just fine, but if you look at the "position" settings at the bottom of the screen, you can change "X,Y coordinates" to "Desktop" to make the game window take up the entire screen.
My configuration looks like this. Click OK when you're ready.
You should see a Powerplay 98 profile added to the menu screen. Double click on it to start the game.
Note that in order for this to work, you will always have to open DxWnd prior to launching the game.
If you have questions or comments about this game, you can leave me a note at the message board.