NHL 09 (EA SPORTS)

[Melbosa]

So I ended up buying this game on recommendations from people in the office.  Everyone was raving on how well it was done; it is the best NHL game every; yada yada yada.  Seems even on the Wii you really can stick handle with the remotes.

Turns out it is as good as everyone said.  Probably the best NHL game in years IMO!  I love it on the 360, and would recommend it highly to anyone who is looking for the next sports game.

Pros:
* Stick handling is finally a full feature instead of just pre-canned moves
* Faces and body types are bang on
* Becoming a Pro mode is fantastic (play as one player in the minors, hoping to be called up and increasing your skills through proper play - have to listen to your coach)
* Can play own music tracks
* Can create online teams to play with friends (have to draft them as players)
* Other modes all improved and added flavour
* Speed boost removed (also a Con) - Game more realistic
* Can play as simple or as complex as you want - Controls, Strategies, Stats, Positioning, Trades, Caps... you name it you can customize it or ignore it - up to you.

Cons:
* American announcers get names wrong
* Still no rag-doll physics (pre-canned hits and falls - looks good but can tell canned animation)
* Speed boost removed (also a Pro) - Game less intense sometimes

[Thorin]

If I wasn't all hockeyed out from real-life hockey games, I'd consider this game.  Any idea what the Wii controls are like, though?

Playing through the minors and hoping to be called up sounds intriguing.

[Mr. Analog]

This is the Wii version you are talking about?

[Thorin]

He's talking about the Xbox 360 version:

I love it on the 360

[Mr. Analog]

He's talking about the Xbox 360 version:

I love it on the 360

Ah, it wasn't too clear when I read it the first time.

[Melbosa]

Yeah I own the 360 version, and have NOT tried the Wii or PC versions myself.  But people at work have and rave about them.

[Melbosa]

Well I don't know what the people at work are smokin', but in regards to the PC version, it is definitely not the same game as the 360 version.  In fact it doesn't even look like the same engine or game developer.  And it's controller config is still ass  as it has been in previous years on the PC.

So I'm sticking to the 360 version for now; or until one of you chaps gets it for the Wii.