This is a pretty amazing title!I review alot of sport games later then when they come out.Thats why my reviews are more accurate then all of the reviewers that do this as a job.Sometimes some reviewers get close but not like me.This game has legs,lets put it like that.Depth,graphics,replay,innovation,spirit,ect...I think out of all the years I have read reviews and wrote my own reviews that IGN,Gamespot and 1up is the best when it comes to reviews.Sometimes Gameinformer,OXM,Operation Sports and Gamespy get some right but I would have to say IGN is right on!Gamespot is right on but they are a little hard on games and a little to easy on hyped up games.Nhl 2k8 has everything that was excellent for 2k7 and fixwd everything wrong.They also added a new dimention to hockey games as we know it.Its 2010 now so like I said,I review later which makes it authentic but bad for people that want to know right away.Nhl 2k8 is the best Hockey game from this generation.Nhl 09 &10 are great games dont think I'm crazy but they dont hit you like Holy ..IT like ESPN NHL 2k4 &5 did.Espn nhl 2k5 is actually the best hockey game out to this day without a doubt but in the next gen systems nhl 2k8 is a clear winner in my opinion and this is were it starts..I'm by myself and I want to play single player,what am I going to play??Nhl 2k8--Yes thats is the game.Then the innovation,the multiplayer,ect..,ect..Nhl 2k9 is a true mess!I'm very disappointed with 2k for that.The players are to big,dont even let me get into that for this review.Nhl 2k8 is 100%-AWSOME.I give it a 9.5… Expand

The controls took a little getting used to, but now the game is just smooth and beautiful. Animations are great...the whole feel of the game is a step up from 2K7. Good job.

This game is horrible! It plays like a PS2 game. The speed burst is ridiculously fast, button schemes aren't logical. The special moves are nice, but they aren't very controllable, thus making you do the same moves over and over. Goalie AI lets in softies and have generally bad positions. I'm returning this baby.

I bought both NHL games this year and I find myself playing this one a lot more than NHL 08. 08 is way nicer, but there seems to be a lot lacking in terms of controls. How do I dive to the ice to catch a player on breakway? How do I swing the stick left and right in defense to prevent entry into my territory? Why is every single penalty called a tripping penalty? Why can't you release players in your roster during a Dynasty? Why are other teams willing to trade their 21 year-old superstar players for my 38 year-old over-the-hill has-been?NHL 2K8 allows you to do pretty much everything real-life hockey would allow you to do. Its controls are difficult, but if you go through the training, you will notice that they have thought of everything and came up with a fairly logical control scheme. My only complaint is that slapshots and wristers should both be mapped to the same button (instead of a combo) and the length of holding the button should determine the strength of the shot. Other than that, this game is perfect.… Expand

This game is so realistic!!!!!! The players are so made up like they are real. I can see the beads of sweat down thier forehead!!!!! The comintators are non-repetitive, And very discribing. the Only flaw is that u use the right bumber to shoot.

After playing 20+ games of NHL 2K8, I finally got used to the control.... I must admit it was different than the controls of previous games. Once you get used to the control the game feels very smooth. You can practically do anything you want in this game. Besides the standard of passing, shooting, one timer, Snap shot. There are fake pass, Fake slap shot, fake wrist shot, directional pass, pass it up ahead, puck to skate, all star pro moves. The breakaway is so well done that it's so satisfying when you score. The animations are very real. In fact, I think this game's animation is the best I've ever seen in a hockey game. I do not understand why it received such low score. I felt the gameplay is one of the best I've ever played.… Expand

Keep in mind that many of these reviews are from writers who are gamers first, and may only be casual hockey fans. As a Canadian man who has spent over 30 years as a fan of this great sport, I would advise anyone who wants to play the best pure hockey sim to choose 2K8. Take the time to learn the controls. It won't be overnight, or easy, but when it finally clicks, you will be glad you did. These controls are so intuitive and well suited to the action on screen. EA has built a game that is fun, but only in the way that Fox Sports dumbs down the game for entertainment value. The depth of customization in 2K will leave you absolutely astounded. If you don't believe me, check out the forums at Xbox Live.… Expand

2K's version uses triggers to shoot. It's a hockey game not a shooting game. EA's version is better again this year. Using triggers to shoot is just bizarre and feels unnatural. Maybe next year 2K.