NHL 2006 and NHL2k6 Reviews

[bapenguin]

IGN has both hockey games reviewed for you. Which one did they like better? NHL2006 (http://xbox.ign.com/articles/649/649284p1.html) or NHL2k6 (http://xbox.ign.com/articles/649/649017p1.html)?

I've been playing NHL2k6, and so far it's a pretty nice improvement over last year. The animations are slicker and it feels more realistic. The new icon passing system is great for cycling the puck on the power play.

[bjornbarspingvinen]

gamespot has theirs up too, NHL2k6 from Take2/Visual concepts got 8.5 and NHL06 from EA got 7.5

The new gameplay stuff and animations added to NHL2k6 rock. Goal variety is amazing . That´s my opinion :D

[Murtaug]

I thought EA had exclusive rights to the NHL name, or does that not take effect until a later date? Or am I just completely confused on which sports they bought?

[Abash Alarmist]

You're just confused.

[bapenguin]

they don't have exclusive rights to the NHL or NBA.

I believe their "exclusive" stuff is: FIFA, NFL, AFL and NCAA

[fitbabits]

Did anyone read the review of NHL 2K6 in this month's OXM? I found it to be appallingly biased. I swear if it wasn't for the demos I would NOT be a subscriber.

[bjornbarspingvinen]

almost all but OXM have rated NHL2k6 higher, Gamespot gave NHL2k6 8.5, IGN gave 2k6 8.7 (nhl 06 got 8.5), Teamxbox gave 2k6 8.4 but NHL 06 8.0. And people seem to like nhl2k6 alot, it´s more sim than nhl06.

[ezzkmo]

the only thing i'm concerned about, since i absolutely loved last year's nhl 2k5, is that this doesn't have the ESPN license in it this time around. i enjoyed the presentation, one of the best i've seen in a sports game. and the announcers in the game were the absolute best ever hands down. they would comment on the most techincal, random stuff and never stopped talking, which made it so real and almost scary. how's the presentation and commentary this time around, for 2k6 that is?

[bapenguin]

the only thing i'm concerned about, since i absolutely loved last year's nhl 2k5, is that this doesn't have the ESPN license in it this time around. i enjoyed the presentation, one of the best i've seen in a sports game. and the announcers in the game were the absolute best ever hands down. they would comment on the most techincal, random stuff and never stopped talking, which made it so real and almost scary. how's the presentation and commentary this time around, for 2k6 that is?

if there's one area the game is lacking, it's with the play by play. While the commentary isn't bad, it doesn't seem to flow as well as before. The game makes up for it with it's other audio options like custom soundtracks, etc.

[ezzkmo]

if there's one area the game is lacking, it's with the play by play. While the commentary isn't bad, it doesn't seem to flow as well as before. The game makes up for it with it's other audio options like custom soundtracks, etc.

well good to hear, i'm sold again. cause 2k5 was too damn fun.

[Liquidize105]

And then there's the price.

$20 for NHL2k6 or $30 for NHL06. Buy yourself something nice with the 10 bucks you save, like some ginger snaps.

[RandomViolence]

I hope they budget price NBA 2k6, too. I love that series.

[benson]

I'm waiting for the Xbox 360 version of NHL 2k6. I've decided to hold off on buying any more Xbox games, especially the ones that are coming out on both systems. I know I have a couple months to wait now, but it's getting closer, and I'll tide myself over with NFL games and real hockey once that starts up in October. Then again, I am not sure I'll be able to hold back once real hockey starts again...

[Murtaug]

You're just confused.

Thanks for that informative reply.

they don't have exclusive rights to the NHL or NBA.

I believe their "exclusive" stuff is: FIFA, NFL, AFL and NCAA

Alright, I would have bet they had NHL too but my mistake. I wonder why they did not snatch the NHL liscence anyway? The strike perhaps?

[DeadPixel]

Picked up NHL2k6 last night and here are my down and dirty first impressions:

Initially I was not very impressed with the changes from the last year's release. The animations seemed pretty much the same. The commentary did not seem as fluent, maybe because the last year's voices sounded better. I wasn't ready to give up just yet, I played a few games, checked out the new features and started to notice features I knew for sure I wanted to see.

1. I really like how I can zoom out the 3/4 view just far enough for me to see the long passes, but not so far where the players are tiny.
2. The instant replay ESPN flash screen was so damn bright, it hurt my eyes, this is no longer the case. The transitions are very nice now.
3. The assigned passing feature (as someone noted before) is great for power plays.
4. Having the ability to always have your team be at the bottom or top of the screen is great because I actually play better when my team has to crash the net at the top of the screen (maybe all those top down scrollers I played in the 90s)
5. You player profile memorizes your favorite team for those quick games, nice feature.
6. The menus are are easy to navigate through, but the previous year was not bad either. I was just worried they'd screw this up by doing too much.


The one thing I do not like so far is the puck physics. During the slow-mo instant replays you can often tell how the puck does not even touch a stick during a one timer or even a wrist shot. Last year's title seemed more polished when it came to that perfect puck contact with the stick. I suppose you don't notice it as much during play, but it kinda make the player shooting animations look bad during replays.

Thats all for now, I have to explore some more.

[kickmybum]

For those who care, I got EA NHL 06 for 29 bucks at WalMart. Everywhere else I checked has it for 39 bucks. 2k6 is 19 bucks everywhere though.

EA always gets hammered in the comparison reviews with 2k series, but I'm an EA fan boy so I'm sticking with good ol' faithful. However, that being said EA 2005 and 2k5 SUUUUUUUCKKKKEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!! If they drop crap like that again, I'm switching to Gretzy 2006, lol.

[Franjo]

Been putting lots of time in NHL2k6, and loving every minute of it. I'm canadian so Im loving the commentary of Cole and Neale. The animations are great, variety of goals, overall control of the game is just awesome (Be sure to use advanced controls). Lots of options, I have it set to sim with a few tweaks (thanks to 2khockey.net forums) Haven't tried NHL06 yet but will...I can't see it being better though.

[rein]

I just picked up NHL2K6 and I am a little disappointed. I have not played many hockey games since the old days on the SNES but compared to other sport games the animation sucks. I have only played about 30 minutes and maybe when I get deeper into the game-play it will make me much happier. For now, I am figuring things out and playing a lot of pass the puck, shoot the puck against the AI.

[amusedtoe]

Well I'm just glad they're not as bad as the magzines were making them out to be.

[amusedtoe]

Alright, I would have bet they had NHL too but my mistake. I wonder why they did not snatch the NHL liscence anyway? The strike perhaps?

Why I think everyone thinks EA has the NHL license is that about 4 to 5 months ago someone at EA made a pre-mature snafu and the NHL06 page and logo showed up with the exclusive title like Madden has.

Edit- Sorry for the double post I wasn't paying attention. :rolleyes:

[Twigz'N'Berries]

I'm waiting for the Xbox 360 version of NHL 2k6. I've decided to hold off on buying any more Xbox games, especially the ones that are coming out on both systems. I know I have a couple months to wait now, but it's getting closer, and I'll tide myself over with NFL games and real hockey once that starts up in October. Then again, I am not sure I'll be able to hold back once real hockey starts again...
Smart move. I even heard they are not making games that come out for both systems BC. That is just ass.