8.5

aussiegamer

NHL 2K6

The champion of video game hockey arrives on the XBox 360 that introduces a plethora of new gaming features to appease even the most ardent of gamers by letting players take command of tape-to-tape passing, behind-the-net plays and precision give-and-go attacks.

Features

• ProControl ™ - Play like the pros with our revolutionary icon-based passing system. All-new combo passing and shooting controls let you queue up give-and-go attacks, tic-tac-toe passing, puck cycling, behind the net plays and more!

• On-The-Fly Coaching - Play your style of hockey at both ends of the ice by calling team strategy during the action. Crash the net, screen the goalie and pinch defensemen on offense. Then, counter the attack by clearing the crease, clearing the zone, or setting up a break out for an offensive rush.

• Enforcer System™ - Throw opponents off their game by bringing out your checking line. Now, bigger and more aggressive players weigh into the outcome of a game as much as your leading goal scorers, as physical play will lower opponents' performance ratings.

• Maximum Goaltending™ - Take matters into your own hands by swapping into the cage and utilizing your right analog stick to make quick, intuitive saves when it counts the most.

• PureMotion™ Animations - Hundreds of new NHL-caliber animations to feast your eyes on including spectacular saves in goal by Marty Turco.

• Franchise Perfection - An unsurpassed franchise experience hinges a team's success on your ability to schedule workouts, scrimmages and manage team chemistry.

• Gold Standard Presentation - Immerse yourself in the impeccable presentation system with all-new commentary featuring Bob Cole and Harry Neale, broadcast standard overlays, innovative camera angles, new cut-scenes and more.

• The Online Experience - 2K Sports continues to lead the online gaming revolution as NHL® 2K6 brings you seamless online play and the most comprehensive online feature set anywhere including completely online stat tracking, buddy lists management, and online leagues.

NHL 2K6 is the first hockey on the XBox 360 and promises gamers another exciting season of the national hockey league. Although the 2K series took a back seat with gaming giant Electronic Arts, EA Sports, the developers have once again gone back to the drawing boards in order to keep this title competitive and extremely entertaining, especially for a first generation 360 title.

In its basic essence, NHL 2K6 is an arcade hockey game that pits the player and their team against an onslaught of NHL greats. Apart from a variety of different gameplay modes, the game features an innovative control system that feels perfect on the wireless XBox 360 controller and whether your a newbie or seasoned gamer, this game will easily be picked up by all.

For those die hard gamers, the franchise mode has also returned from other console versions and to make things even more competitive, the game also boats the official NHL license. The strange but compelling control stick also returns again in this incarnation that basically has the player moving the right analogue stick that is akin to moving your hockey stick. However, you don’t have to use it, so it doesn’t cause too much of a problem, unless you knock the stick accidentally. The new ProControl system provides icon-based passing from the off, and also allows you to set up give-and-go attacks, which is a superb bonus when you’re running a two-on-one play.

And to sum up the control system of NHL 2K6, it's actually probably the best damn hockey game that I have played in a long time that had everyone at the offices of impulsegamer going nuts playing the VS mode.

One of the most noticeable aspect of the game is realistic graphics that look quite impressive on the XBox 360.  Gamers can now trip, slip and slide gracefully on the ice. The background environments also look extremely realistic and truly make use the power behind the XBox 360.

The soundtrack of NHL 2K6 is great but unfortunately the wooden commentary and lackluster crowd effects makes the gamer wonder just what on Earth is wrong with the crowd. With that said, Bob Cole and Harry Neale return to commentate the title that is actually quite amusing because the two commentaries sometimes don't mix.

In conclusion, NHL 2K6 is a rather entertaining hockey game that although the first for the XBox 360, will probably not be the last and with entertaining gameplay and amazing graphics, a must have for sport fans. GOAL!!!