NHL 27 alternatives
NHL 27 came out September 11, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. If that's your console, it's the hockey game with the real teams, players and arenas, and nothing below replaces that. If you're on a PC, a Mac, a Switch, a Chromebook or a phone, or you'd rather not pay full price, these are the alternatives.
What NHL 27 has that nobody else does
The NHL and NHLPA licenses: real teams, real players, real arenas and the broadcast look. Franchise and online modes with years of depth behind them, and crossplay between PS5 and Xbox. EA Play members got a 10-hour trial. If those are what you want, no alternative on this page will do, and we'd rather tell you that now.
The alternatives
| Game | Runs on | Cost | Players | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnburners | Windows, Linux, macOS (Steam) | $9.99 planned, free demo | Up to 4 local, 1 vs 1 online | New arcade hockey on PC, 5-on-5 or 3-on-3. Early Access from December 8, 2026. |
| Bush Hockey League | Switch; as Old Time Hockey on PC, PS4, Xbox One | Paid | - | 70s hockey with fights |
| Super Blood Hockey | PC, Switch and others | Paid | Up to 4 local | Retro chaos, grown-ups only |
| Brudvig Hockey 2027 | Any browser: phone, PC, Mac, Chromebook, smart TV | Free | 1 to 6 online, or a TV with phones | Quick 3-on-3 games with friends anywhere, a 32-team tournament, mini games |
| Other free browser hockey | Any browser | Free, some with ads | Varies | See free hockey games online |
Where Brudvig Hockey 2027 fits
It's free, it's 3-on-3 arcade hockey, and it starts in a few seconds on whatever is in your hand. It has 45 made-up teams with ratings and styles, a Challenge Cup tournament with stats, online games for up to eight by link, a TV mode with phones as controllers, and eleven mini games. It doesn't have real players, 5-on-5, penalties, a franchise mode or anything close to NHL 27's presentation. It's what you play when the console is busy, or across town, or doesn't exist.
By situation
- PC or Mac: hockey games on PC.
- Switch or Switch 2: hockey games on Switch.
- Chromebook: hockey on a Chromebook.
- Phone: hockey on your phone.
- You miss the old arcade games: games like NHL Hitz.
Questions
Is NHL 27 on PC or Switch?
No. NHL 27 is on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S only.
Is there a free alternative to NHL 27?
Yes, if you want quick arcade hockey rather than the licensed simulation: Brudvig Hockey 2027 is free in any browser, 3-on-3, with online play for up to eight. It has no real NHL teams or players.
What is the best NHL 27 alternative on PC?
Barnburners is a new arcade hockey game on PC, with a free demo now and Early Access from December 8, 2026. For free in a browser, Brudvig Hockey.