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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
NHL 2002
Universal acclaim
Based on 22 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 16 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: EA Canada
Genre(s): Sports
Players: 8
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: September 25, 2001
Summary
The PlayStation 2 version features include Career Mode, allowing you to compete for the Stanley Cup for 10 consecutive years and build a true hockey dynasty. Also included are Quick Game, Season, Playoffs, Shootout, and Tournament modes. [EA Sports]
Also On Metacritic
Cheat Codes & Hints: Adrenaline Vault Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GamePro GameSpot IGN
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Gaming Age
The high watermark for hockey games on next-generation platforms, and has set a standard that will be hard for competing products to match...it's damn close to NHL '94 for addictiveness.
Read Full Review >GamePro
The butter-smooth controls make the game a joy to play—between the big hits and the player-controlled dekes, you’ll alternate between brawling like Tie Domi and dangling like Pavel Bure.
Read Full Review >Core Magazine
Simulation junkies might be turned off by the exaggerated goal scoring, comical commentary and cute gimmick cameras, but a bevy of gameplay options can remove all such tom-foolery from the game.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
Best of all, the sound mix supports DTS 5.1 output, allowing you to literally feel every hit when cranked up loud enough on the right system.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
If you enjoy listening to the broadcast, NHL 2002's dual commentary is the best I've ever heard in the game. [Nov 2001, p.104]
Electric Playground
The improved puck control alone makes this game a gourmet meal for diehard hockey fans.
Read Full Review >IGN
It's a phenomenally deep and highly playable single player experience and the multiplayer gameplay is a enjoyable as it ever has been. Bottom line -- this is the best game ever released in the series.
Read Full Review >Gamezilla!
Not only will you get your money's worth, but you’ll probably still be playing it when "NHL 2003" is released.
Read Full Review >GameZone
A landmark release in that it is the first PS2 game to support Dolby™ Pro Logic and DTS™ sound. These surround sound technologies allow for realistic environmental surround sound like you've never heard it before.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
The worst and pretty much only snafu with NHL 2002 is the lame fighting. I didn't think that last year's rock 'em, sock 'em fighting could get any worse, but it feels like it has.
Read Full Review >Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
The Franchise Mode is 10 seasons of blissful replayability. [Nov 2001, p.160]
Adrenaline Vault
The goalies are still a bit of a sore point, however, since a single defender can run the gamut from godlike to pylon within a single period with little rhyme or reason.
Read Full Review >PSX Nation
NHL 2002 has finally unseated "NHL '94" as the only hockey game I would actually fight with other players over a controller in an eight-man multiplayer match.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
The deepest, most realistic 3D NHL game on the market. Its graphics are impressive, its depth of gameplay modes is staggering, and the gameplay is predominantly tight.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
Nearly every gameplay element seems finely tuned. [Dec 2001, p.244]
Sports Gaming Network
A major improvement over last year's version in terms of both the gameplay and the in-game features.
Read Full Review >Next Generation Magazine
The simple fact remains that it’s difficult to play deliberate, defensive oriented hockey. [Dec 2001, p.108]
GamePen
NHL 2002 gives players amazing control, and pin point accuracy, while still leaving enough of a learning curve to make you come back for more than just a few games.
Read Full Review >Yahoo! Games
Changes are by and large cosmetic, but this is a skilled surgeon at work here, and the new model is undeniably smoother, faster, and more in-yer-face, with a new big hit move arguably worth the admission price alone.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 16 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
R. B. gave it a 10:
This is one of the best games i'v ever played yet!!
Ryan T. gave it a 10:
This game was well worth the 80 dollars that i spent on it! The graphics are quite superb and the fights were both tasteful and hard on the controls with the constant button mashing. The A.I. was great for a hockey game. This was the perfect showing of playstaton 2 power and blew away the other attempts at this genre.
Kevin K. gave it a 9:
This is the first hockey game I've played that has ever given me any kind of trouble in trying to win games. Great job with the difficulty factor. Other than a couple minor glitches, this game is great. A definite buy for any hockey fan.
Ziggy Stardust gave it a 7:
Some incomplete animation when players skate into the net or get body checked into the boards. the fighting really sux. and it's crazy how no hats get thrown onto the ice when a hat-trick is scored. don taylor's colour commentary script is terrible; why would ea make him constantly tell jokes? the jokes get old fast. lastly, there are a lot of weird errors that occur (examples: penalty shot being awarded for no reason, or announcer says he's really disappointed with a players performance and he's the 1st star of the game, or goalies getting stuck on the net. there are many other annoying little things) i was pretty disappointed with this game, but my expectations were ultra high. it's certainly a good game overall.
Eric H. gave it a 7:
This game brought great fun and chalenges trying to accomplish all of the tasks that you would perform but the hitting graphics and goalie saves are all the same.
Ziggy Stardust gave it a 8:
Some incomplete animation when players skate into the net or get body checked into the boards. the fighting really sux. and it's crazy how no hats get thrown onto the ice when a hat-trick is scored. don taylor's colour commentary script is terrible; why would ea make him constantly tell jokes? the jokes get old fast. lastly, there are a lot of weird errors that occur (examples: penalty shot being awarded for no reason, or announcer says he's really disappointed with a players performance and he's the 1st star of the game, or goalies getting stuck on the net. there are many other annoying little things) i was pretty disappointed with this game, but my expectations were ultra high. it's certainly a good game overall.
Andrew S. gave it a 10:
This is the best game out for psx2 and it's worth the money to buy it.
