I guess I'm really going to feel like the black sheep here when I say NHL 2K8. The full use right stick meant forward and backward puck controls as well as the ability to stickhandle and skate at the same time, the RB shooting turned the RS into the shot aiming, instead of EA's left stick, and their physics engine is still more realistic than EA's current release. With the addition of 2K's usual comprehensive sliders and an actually correct CBA, better player contract negotiations than NHL 12 ever thought of, and better scouting and franchise controls. They took a big downward slide after that, but that game and to some extent 2K7 were both gold. I don't know why they never got much credit.
Very much agree with this. Great game, and going from 2k8 to NHL 11 and back made me realise what a great game it is to play. Buggy and far too powerful hitting but two gripes with an otherwise excellent game. Also the ******* Goalies were amazing, they have not been bettered since.
Since my 360 broke I went back to an original Xbox and have been enthralled with ESPN NHL 2k5, some of the most fun I have had with a hockey game. It's a fair few years old and still plays brilliantly. Nice selection of Jerseys and extras as well as classic teams. Franchise is pretty decent also.
this game was really fun, got to bribe the ref or kill the ref
Quote:
Mutant League Hockey Description: Hockey with an attitude! It's mutated mayhem on the ice in the wildest, funniest, goriest game ever. 23 wild mutant teams and 23 unique arenas, each with bizarre obstacles like exploding mines and ice pits. Call nasty plays like exploding pucks and rocket packs. Set the level of gory action, then watch the body parts go flying. Unique rules like bribing refs, funny penalties, and 2-point bonus goals. Use wild weapons: axes, sledgehammers and chainsaws. Two types of nets - Standard and Battle (protected by spikes). Substitute tired goalies with the "Demon Net."
I remember playing A LOT at a hockey game called face-off on the computer. It was amazing. It was back in 1993 or something like that. I loved playing an entire season and editing all the player's names.
Might not be the best, but NHL Rock the Rink was a lot of fun. Never played NHL Hitz, but it seems like it was an earlier incarnation of the same idea. Arcade style, 3 on 3 hockey. There were two types of players, finesse and power. No penalties, breakaways with goalies, backflip dekes, 5 goals first wins, hilarious fantasy teams to unlock. Good old fashioned mindless fun.
I think you have to make a distinction between hockey games prior to the dual-stick controllers and games made afterwards. The freedom of having two sticks for motion control is a huge step forward in being able to make fun to play video games, hockey games included.
In the prior category it's either NHL 94 or Wayne Gretzky's 3D hockey. '94 is classic and the nostalgia factor is huge. The things that the modding community has been able to do with it are pretty cool as well. Wayne Gretzky's was an awesome early n64 release. Perfect balance toungue-in-cheek style but still feeling like one of the better hockey video games to play at the time.
In the post dual-stick category, it's whatever your favorite EA NHL game from the last 4 years is. 10 seems to get a lot of hype, I might go with this years edition.
I remember playing A LOT at a hockey game called face-off on the computer. It was amazing. It was back in 1993 or something like that. I loved playing an entire season and editing all the player's names.
here's a pic
I loved Face Off! I had it for Commodore 64. I seem to recall it tracked all stats for a whole season. It was a blast.
NHLPA 93 and I think it was called International Ice Hockey '93. Same gameplay as the NHL EA games but it was all tournament format. I remember playing against Egypt in that game and beating them by like 40 goals.
I guess I'm really going to feel like the black sheep here when I say NHL 2K8. The full use right stick meant forward and backward puck controls as well as the ability to stickhandle and skate at the same time, the RB shooting turned the RS into the shot aiming, instead of EA's left stick, and their physics engine is still more realistic than EA's current release. With the addition of 2K's usual comprehensive sliders and an actually correct CBA, better player contract negotiations than NHL 12 ever thought of, and better scouting and franchise controls. They took a big downward slide after that, but that game and to some extent 2K7 were both gold. I don't know why they never got much credit.
Yessir! NHL 2k8 gets my vote, as well.
I loved the Enforcing feature, and I remember faceoffs being so simple and easy.
Those were good times, I loved that game.
this game was really fun, got to bribe the ref or kill the ref
