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NHL 2005 Xbox
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Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.1 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 10 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Capture all the speed, finesse, and action of professional hockey with NHL 2005. The game's new EA Sports Open Ice Control lets you execute offensive plays, such as a give-and-go and a breakaway pass, and you can also call for defensive double-teams. Dynasty mode has been enhanced with more interactive GM/owner relationships, including a new e-mail system. NHL 2005 also delivers all the action of the World Cup of Hockey with International Teams and venues from North America and Europe. … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Xbox Nation Magazine
    90
    Skates in a league of its own when it comes to the most basic function of hockey gaming: realistic physics. [Oct 2004, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Worth Playing
    90
    I would highly suggest NHL 2005 for anyone who likes sports games, but the controls are too complex for casual non-fans who just want to pick up a game and play effectively.
  3. Yahoo! Games
    70
    While the game's is an improvement over the 2004 edition, it's still not quite up to snuff.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. SteveP.
    8
    This is a very good game once the body contact slides have been adjusted to their lowest settings. The graphics, gameplay and on-ice pacing are superior in this game compared to ESPN 2K5, but it is lacking with respect to modes and other such options. I buy my hockey games for on-ice gameplay, and this is the one for me.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. Uter
    6
    It's a tough call on this one. There's some really cool additions. The goalies and scoring variety are better than ever. The animation is the best of any hockey game out there. They also seriously nailed the look of most players and coaches. But there are definately a few flies in the ointment. Like a lot of reviewers, I have a problem with the insane amount of hitting in this game. It can be completely ridiculous at times - imagine a big hit every 3 seconds on average. Not even nhl hitz has this many hits (and that game's named hitz!). Okay so that wouldn't be a big deal if there was a slider to take the hitting effectiveness down a few pegs. But sadly there isn't a slider to do that, or much anything else for that matter. Other options aren't very customizable either. For example, period length has to be nice round figures... would you like them to be 5, 10 or 20 minutes long? You'd think this being their 13th edition of the game they'd have the basics down, but apparently not. Also considering this is the 3rd xbox version, you'd think they'd have considered including a custom soundtrack option. Why are we forced to listen to the stupid "ea trax" again? Although I must admit these tracks are less offensive than usual ea trax, there's not many of them, so you'll be hearing the same songs over and over. I sometimes wonder what moron is in charge of this franchise. It has the potential to be seriously awesome, but always disappoints me in a bunch of areas. Maybe they are cleverly avoiding putting out the perfect game just to keep suckers buying it year after year. Although I think it's just incompetence.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. MoniqueH.
    2
    This is absolute garbage. The skating is unresponsive and sluggish, even with the game speed up. The shots are just as bad or worse than 2004, and it just doesn't "feel" like a real hockey game. I don't like it one bit. NHL 2002 is much better in terms of playability.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 6 User Reviews