NHL 2K9
6.6
10
12
12
Solid
Hockey games are usually pretty fun to play with your friends, and this one is no different. Even though the rosters are old, this game is really, really fun. The gameplay is great, and the game modes are fun as well. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to have a good time with their friends, and it will definitely deliver.
6/28/11
Errr....... Not what I expected
Before I bought this, I read all of the bad reviews like you are. I liked their previous hockey games and decided to go against the bad reviews and buy this. Well, I was wrong, you were right. I started it, played my first game between the Bruins and Canadiens. Well, it is impossible to realistic defense. You have to hit in order to play half decent defense. And the hits are way to hard and the skaters cannot move fast enough to avoid a hit they see coming. In the NHL, you hardly see good open ice hits, so make them hard to make in the game. The goals are completely unrealistic; they are taken from low percentage goal areas and the goalie seems to let them go in the back of the net. As I said earlier, the goalies seem unaware of anything going on around them, let pucks fly in the net, and always leave terrible rebounds right in front of the goal. The fighting does seem to be great even though I have yet to win any out of about 10 (even with Zdeno Chara!). I started a franchise with the Bruins new updated rosters from March 17, 2009, and the first game with the Colorado Avalanche was horrible. I was midway through the second period before I quit and wanted to start playing NHL 08. There are a bunch of mini games though that add to the value a little bit. There is pond hockey, zamboni driving, shootout mode, and something similar to a 3 on 3 mode. The zamboni driving just makes the game seem longer, and the other modes are fun but too overshadowed by the terrible gameplay. Of course, the is franchise and season modes, but there is no fantasy draft which sort of irked me because I use this in my baseball and football franchises. I bought this today, and am planning on returning it tomorrow and purchasing NHL 09. Trust me, do not make the same mistake as I did by reading the reviews and still buying this because it is cheaper. You have to listen, or you will be writing the same type of review as I just wrote. Thank you for reading.
4/21/09
Why NHL2K9 over NHL 09
It is very simple EA is all about glitches tons and tons and tons of glitches. Its kinda funny that you can go behind the net shoot straight at the net and light the lamp, okay now when u get tired of that do a simple wrap around, bored okay then go between the hash marks and fire all day long goal, oh even better just take a wrist shot from almost anywhere and bam you are an EA GOD. Heck when over 500 people have a min. of 3000 points in just a poor 400 games you know things are easy. As for the online play well if you think 2k9's AI is stupid well go ahead play EA and just watch them score on their own goalie and get delay of game after delay of game. WooHoo what a game okay EA did 1 thing right they made graphics WooHoo. Oh yeah and just so you know if you like sitting on your butt EA is for you, you can get a penalty without touching a soul.
12/13/08
Going the wrong way
I am usually a huge fan of 2K series. This game is not worth the $. I plan to stick with 2K8 and see about next year. AI is poor. Just gather in front of the net every time. Doesn't matter what style of play the team uses. Fighting is OK. but you dont "feel" the big hit's. The balance meter is just dumb. Options are limited in the main menu. A personal favorite for me was the fantasy draft. Gone. Commentators lack any creativity or originality. Controls are OK but the players are sluggish. Acceleration is fairly nonexistent and passing seems out of your control at times. Shooting can be somewhat frustrating. Some times a wrist shot just takes too long to get off... I am hanging on to 2K8 in hopes that 2K10 will show some growth. BTW... Is it just me, or would anyone else like to see sports games released a bit later, when rosters and abilities are more accurate?
11/15/08
NOT BETTER THEN NHL 09
now this is a cool game if you like unrealistic hockey. the checking is so not anywhere close to nhl 09 the graphics are as good as my atari. the gameplay with the controles are as good as me typing this sentence easy and stupid just pushing buttons. nhl 09 took there game to another level there custom player to online mode is insane there graphics are a top 10 and improve every year. the controls are as crisp and better layed out then 2k. the deke in 2k9 is so generic. nhl 09 has the better dekes shot hits blocks u name it nhl 09 is better. this game 2k does do a good job for goalie controls ill give them that but who payed edit bucks to stop a puck not me i payed for scoring goals and amazing graphics and gameplay thats y i choose to play 09 aka ea sports i bought both series for years and every year ea has put out the better game example always one step ahead 2k brought out the deke control in 2k7 lol ea brought that out in 2002 with mario lol ea is better and im #1 in the world i no
9/11/08
NHL 2K9 Topples NHL09
I can tell you that generations have come and gone of EA's flagship NHL hockey series. I personally have purchased every iteration of the series with mixed feelings that I can say slowly led to more and more disappointment over time. Why you may ask? Because someone somewhere at EA made the decision to trade in quality for looks. EA used to boast the most features and graphics and play. While the graphics have grown with nifty features such as skill stick, I found that over time EA tragically when adding a feature would silently kill off another one. I tried to reach EA for comment regarding this matter several times, and I can tell you I received little to now answer, and eventually I was placated with a free T-Shirt. But to the point NHL 2K9 ( No T-Shirt needed here) has dethroned the king of hockey games and has moved itself into the number one slot. Jam-packed with features that would make any avid hockey fan drool, the 2K series finally received a much needed facelift. A risky venture to say the least that I can tell you has paid off and then some. Graphics, though not as nice as EA's come very close in quality, but what sets the title apart is the attention to the little things like play-off beards, injuries that mean something, fighting that is very much like the real thing. The ability to add your own custom music not only to the game, but to have the ability to set a specific song to play at certain events, as well as in specific arenas. The whole game by and large has all the NHL09 has to offer and much, much more. This is the game EA should have made long ago. Take my word for it, spend your dollars here and wave a fond farewell to EA.
9/11/08
Does 2K pay you?
2K really needs to bring something to the table, they used to be the best sports simulation around and unfortunately have literally stuck with the same plan since the Dreamcast days (NHL2K): Good graphics but camera is too far away, simple controls, lame audio, and a presentation that is right out of the mid 90's. The series has gone stale after having to play the same game mechanics over and over. If you look at the reviews for this series at any game site, including 2K9, you will find a bunch of okay to decent reviews. I would recommend a rental or to download the demo. Is the game worth full price? Eh...not to me. Honestly, I am going to stick with EA's NHL 2008 as both hockey titles this year seem very ordinary to me.
9/11/08
An honest review.
Ok first off, I have been playing hockey games since 99'. I have played almost every title on PC and consoles. In NHL 2001 and 02' I was the #1 ranked player in the world. So ya, I know hockey games. This game is without a doubt the best that I have came across. I have also tried EA's 2009 this year, both of these are on XBOX 360 btw. Without going into detail about EA 09 this year I will just tell you that while it's an average hockey game it can't even be compared to 2k9 this year. The game play this year is simply amazing, from the physics to the new animations. I swear this game feels like the closest thing to real hockey that I have played. The online mode has a great multiplayer team setup this year where you can play up to 6v6 ONLINE, not just LAN links! The stats they track are much more detailed now. The after game replay system is very good this year. The online ratings system, online avatars and many new online modes are so cool. I could go on and on but trust me, this is the apex of hockey games.
9/10/08
Awesome!
I played the demo for this game and it's really good. Decent graphics, huge hits and checks, and in the full version you can drive the Zamboni! How awesome is that? Zamboni Awesome, thats how!
9/4/08
It's NOT worth it.
I agree with NHL series fan about 2K living in the shadow of EA, but frown when he/she said that they thought the mini game was a cool idea. REALLY? If you want to buy a hockey game to drive the zamboni, then that's pretty sad, unless you're 10. I played the demo of this game, it absolutely failed in my eyes. Gameplay is sloppy, choppy, unrealistic and very "off". Also the camera, at any angle, is really awkward. I play hockey and know how the game should be played, and 2K simply doesn't deliver. Okay sure they might have a "neat-O" zamboni game, but c'mon. The game's that bad, they need to attract the kiddies with that novelty junk? If you want a GOOD game that's realistic and has a nice flow to it, pick up NHL 09. I played the demo and NHL 09 is two million times better.
9/4/08