ESPN NHL Hockey Xbox
ESPN NHL Hockey Image
Metascore
88 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: ESPN NHL Hockey brings you a complete NHL experience. Play a single game or an entire season as any current NHL team, or a historic team, complete with vintage jerseys. All the uniforms, arenas, player models, and environmental effects are meticulously detailed. With an advanced graphics engine, an exclusive ESPN presentation system featuring Gary Thorne and Bill Clement, and exciting new modes to play such as the authentic Skills Competition, ESPN NHL Hockey leads the league in hockey realism.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Play Magazine
    100
    The true star of the ESPN NHL Hockey is the play-by-play commentary. Courtesy of ESPN's Gary Throne and Bill Clement, this is some of the best commentary I've ever heard in a hockey game. [Jan 2004, p.80]
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  2. XboxAddict
    96
    The game is outstanding, but I would possibly add the possibility of using downloaded rosters online.
  3. Da Gameboyz
    86
    Getting by the learning curve will yield fantastic results as the game is quite deep, especially in the management of players and teams.
  4. G4 TV
    60
    A great choice for gamers who enjoyed "NHL 2K3" but wanted something a little flashier in the audiovisual department. But it isn't as ambitious as "NHL 2004" in terms of control options or depth in franchise play. ESPN Hockey's biggest knock is its goalie AI, which isn't reflective of the sport and seems artificially enhanced in an attempt to create low-scoring games.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 4 out of 18
  1. DanT.
    10
    This is the most realistic and fun hockey game I have ever played.
  2. RavenX301
    8
    Sweet @ss game, but, I still don't like it as much as HITZ PRO, no way, if i want relistic game play, I'll just go out and play hockey thank you. But at least it's 20 times better then that sickening NHL 2004, worst hockey I ever played!… Expand
  3. RobC.
    7
    Great game, but.....being a hockey player, I'd rather leave all the realism on the ice i play on, and just have fun, so thats why I think Hitz is a way better (Fun) hockey title.… Expand
  4. AustinW.
    4
    A good game, but I'm thoroughly disappointed with the lack of attention to the crowd. Its all about the 2d "paper people" and take my word for it, it looks horrible. Another flaw that really REALLY dissapointed me was the size of the goalie's mask. ITS HUGE and it looks absolutley AWFUL, not to mention; it doesnt even sport the correct artwork that each goalie wears...it merely replaces it with a solid color and the generic logo of the team on the top. HORRIBLE JOB THERE SEGA. The last and most mentally effective dissapointing feature (or lack thereof) was the non-existence of celebration at the the end of winning a game and even when you win the Stanley Cup, there is HARDLY any celebration. Totally unrealistic. If you dont mind the little details, go ahead and get this, you wont be disappointed but if you expect the great looking goalie masks from EA's NHL 2004 and the amazing crowd of XSN's NHL 2004 Rivals, I would advise you take a pass on this one.… Expand

See all 18 User Reviews