NHL 2K6

"Hmm, great game, why the bad reviews?"

Ok let me start off by saying that this is a very sim like experience, and if that's what your looking for in a hockey game get this game right now!!! But if you want an arcade type of experience get NHL 2006.

Graphics: 9/10

This game has some very smooth and sleek graphics. The Characters almost seem like there real life counter parts. The goalies have some of the best animations I have ever seen in any hockey game, and the opening sequence before a game almost seems real. The ice looks real good, but it seems not to get scratched up. Ok nobody has mentioned anything about this games frame rate, so I'm not sure if it's my disk or my PS2 reading it but it seems to drop a bit threw out games, this is the only reason why the graphics got a 9/10 instead of 10/10. Note: The Frame Rate doesn't drop enough to take a lot out of the experience.

Sound: 8/10

The one thing that people seem to hate, is the licensed music you listen to while in the menu screens. Though it's not great, I am happy they didn't go for music you here everyday on the radio. And so what if they don't have the most popular music out there on this disk it still shouldn't make you not want to play this game. The announcers, Bob Cole and Harry Neal, are really well done and almost all Canadians will enjoy them, I personally think they add to the experience and make it seem like an actual broadcast. The crowd is something else, it actually feels like your there sitting next to your best buddy while hearing everyone chant the name of your favorite team while screwing the other one up, best sounding crowd in any sports game.

Game play: 10/10

The game play is amazing. There are 3 new add ons this year. Pro control, On-The-Fly coaching and the Enforcer system. Pro control, is when you press the R3 button to make different icons(Controller buttons) appear over every players head on your team, by pressing what ever button that appears over the persons head will pass the puck to them, pressing this button twice will activate a one timer shot. During power plays this is very useful, you can pass the puck around in the offensive zone really quick to lead to some nice goals. Pro Control is a god send that should have been added years ago but it is finally here so I don't need to complain anymore. Another new feature is on-the-fly coaching; you can use it offensively and defensively. You call out different styles using the d-pad, for example you press left in the offensive position to get someone to screen the keeper, press right in the defensive position to call for help. Enforces are also a good idea but isn't really needed, basically think of a really tough player that pisses everyone off on the ice, they get into fights a lot more than everyone else and intimidate other players causing them not to go near them and make there speed drop. Enforcers are indicated by a big E underneath them. You can do wrap-around shots, which on the right difficulty aren't easy to pull off. The AI is really, really good and can make you look like a fool sometimes (Remember to make the difficulty challenging for you or you will find this game really easy).

Extras: 15/10 it's that good but I am forced to give it a 10/10
You get the mother load here. Historical teams, mini games,different jerseys, hockey rinks and an excellent online experience to boot.

Well I would like the talk about things that wern't covered above. Menu's are very easy to get threw and are organized very well. Though rosters aren't updated when you buy this game, you can go online to download them very easily, as I did. If you don't have the Internet your out of luck here. Online in this game is excellent, you can have quick games, play in tournaments, play in seasons, it runs pretty fluently, you get updated rosters and it's really fun the dominate beginners in this game, LOL.

Buy or Rent

This has to be a buy for any hockey fan and for only 20$U.S, 34$ Canadian, you are getting an excellent experience.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/09/05