NHL 2K6

"Still the champ of hockey games."

Well, I'm not the biggest hockey fan, but I'm smart enough and have enough knoledge of the sport to know what games are good, what should be in them, etc. I wasn't a big fan of ESPN NHL 2K5, but for $20, what was I losing? This years version had some nice little features, but was now without the ESPN (dam you EA!) and it's presentation and announcers.

Graphics- 8/10

Obviously not the best in a sports game, but still enough to keep one satisfied. Even though the graphics on a whole probably aren't as good as NHL 06, the player models and body shape seem to fit the bill. Player movements seem as fluid as ever, and now with the enhanced gameplay it shows. Not much else really needs to be stated here, so without much further ado...

Gameplay- 9/10

They brang back all the old goodies-- slapper, wristshot, snap shot, fake slapshot, poke check, diving poke check, checking, pinning, etc. That's all the same, for teh most part. However, they've added some new "hit-or-miss" type features:

Pro-Control Passing: In the years before this hockey game, dating back to the very first one, whatever it was, how many of you found passing a game of luck, if you will? Ah... fear no more, my friends! This has been fixed in a big way! Basically, this is the best new feature by far. What it does, is it allows you to bring up player icons, with the click of the right analog stick, and allows you to pass to that respective person with relative ease. Yep, no more guessing or awkwardly adjusting your body, just one click of the button and it's there, barring any interceptions. To remove the icons, simply press down the R analog again. Shuffling the puck just got a WHOLE lot easier!

Skating Backwards: Although you could do this on defense in last years game, you couldn't do it on offense. Now, you can by pressing and holding the R trigger (Xbox). This allows you to make better moves on the puck or keep yourself out of danger, depending on the situation.

Maximum Goaltending: By far the worst idea in the game. Good concept and unique idea, but it just falls short due to many other aspects of the game. Perhaps, if KUSH/2KSports could come up with a better view so you could play the puck better it would be a better idea, but until then, this one's better off in the trash.

Sound- 9/10

Although many a folk prefer the ESPN tandem, this year's announcers are famous in Canada and are host of their own hockey talk show there. They aren't bad in the least, but it just seems that they are reading off of a script and the words aren't flowing like they should. So, you ask "Why such a high score?" Well because the in-game sounds are incredible. The ice sounds nice, especially when players stop on a dime and the ice shoots up. The grunts and impact sounds during checks are the best I've heard, and pad sounds are authentic sounding, also.

Presentation- 7/10

Without the ESPN layout, 2KSports seemed to forget how to make menus. There no bad, it's just they are too cramped over to one side and the writing is a little too small for my liking. These aren't major gripes, but something that should/could be taken into consideration next time around.

Online- 9/10

Can be a little off-the-fritz sometimes connection wise, but usually the lobbies are buzzing and you can find a opponent at the appropriate hour. Gameplay is still the same as well, and there isn't much lag to deal with.

All in all, this makes for a solid sports game, let alone hockey game. Do yourself a favor and check this one out. It's not much of an investment at only 20 bucks, and it's one hell of a hockey game.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/21/05