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ESPN NHL 2K5
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 32 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 13 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Visual Concepts
Genre(s): Sports, Hockey
Players: 8
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: August 30, 2004
Summary
ESPN NHL Hockey returns to the ice with the confidence of a seasoned veteran. Improved player control, an all-new fighting engine and lightning fast gameplay truly capture the feel and pace of NHL-caliber hockey. ESPN NHL 2005 features breakthrough new ways to play including online leagues, multi-player mini-games and a deeper franchise mode adding endless replay value to an already robust lineup. Deeper and more interactive than before, this season's Skybox features more than 150 unlockables, including more retro jerseys, remote outdoor locations and more. Execute sliding poke checks, swipe at loose pucks and more with new defensive stick controls that give you hands-on stick movement in a variety of defensive situations. With exclusive ESPN presentation players will experience all the on-ice action called by ESPN veteran commentators, Gary Thorne and Bill Clement. [Sega]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: ESPN NHL Hockey NHL 2K3
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: GamerFeed Preview GameSpot Hands-On IGN Preview Official Game Site
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...
Play Magazine
Let me get it out in the open right away - ESPN NHL 2K5 may be the best hockey game you'll ever play. [Dec 2004, p.103]
Operation Sports
A visually appealing, nice sounding, smooth-playing version of the NHL. It has just enough simulation mixed with just the right dash of arcade to make it the best hockey effort we’ve seen on the Next Gen consoles.
Read Full Review >XGP Gaming
Released in August, prior to the NHL lockout, ESPN NHL 2K5 is as close as you're likely to get to the real thing this year.
Read Full Review >IGN
Harder hits, smarter AI, better gameplay, a deeper Franchise Mode, and online leagues? Yeah, there's a lot going on this year to be happy about. It's not all perfect -- in fact, there are a few things I have major issue with -- but overall NHL 2K5 is the only hockey game you need.
Read Full Review >netjak
The game has sped up considerably, allowing for a much more exciting flow to the game. The goalies have been made more realistic, as opposed to the brick walls standing in front of the goals in last year’s game.
Read Full Review >Gaming Target
Some presentation aspects may have been rushed for the sake of the game’s release (in time for the World Cup, Go Canada Go!!), but it’s still a great package. Once again, ESPN is hanging with EA right at the top.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
When you combine the depth of gameplay, breadth of modes and quality of delivery with the salary-cap friendly $19.99 price tag, it’s easy to see how ESPN NHL 2K5 stays on top of its division.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
An incredible hockey package that's filled with more game modes than you'll probably know what to do with. And once again they've orchestrated the best hockey gameplay you're going to find anywhere.
Read Full Review >Gaming Age
The default difficulties are done so well that you'll have to play a lot to even consider going into the slider screen.
Read Full Review >GamePro
Despite the shortcomings, ESPN NHL 2K4 is the Cup champ because it really plays and, aside from the rather sluggish-moving players, feels like a hockey simulation should. [Dec 2004, p.144]
GamerFeed
ESPN NHL 2K5 isn't the perfect hockey experience but it's damn close, especially with the gameplay touch-ups that make it a much better game and the visuals to make you long for hitting the arena and feeling the cooling power of the ice.
Read Full Review >Xbox Evolved
Offers the most realistic and comprehensive game of hockey you’ll find on any platform. With a stellar gameplay balance, huge number of features and a lengthy list of improvements over last year’s title, it’s safe to say that ESPN NHL 2k5 is a must-own game for any fan of hockey.
Read Full Review >Next Level Gaming
The controls are perfect for a hockey game while also only being as difficult as you want them to be.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
The best in its genre - period. There's something on offer for everybody, it's great for the serious hockey fan, it's fantastic if you have a few mates around to play in party mode or even buzz in on the trivia games and it's even soothingly, surprisingly good fun for the casual gamer.
Read Full Review >MS Xbox World
Sega Sports went out of their way to lovingly craft an excellent piece of software, and at the price it just can’t be beat.
Read Full Review >Pelit (Finland)
A hockey simulation for game consoles that is too much like its predecessors. The online leagues are welcomed but the franchise mode needs improvement. [Jan. 05]
Xbox World Australia
New features for 05 have made the game deeper and offered a more balanced gameplay engine.
Read Full Review >TeamXbox
Regarding clean-cut, vibrant visuals, ESPN 2K5 is by far the best looking hockey game to date and it’s nice to have the adjustable zoom camera back.
Read Full Review >Game Over Online
More of an evolutionary product than a revolutionary one in the series.
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine
In no way has the gameplay quality suffered in order to get this game on shelves for a mere $20. In fact, it's become better overall, amidst a couple of steps back and a few more forward. [Oct 2004, p.78]
GameBiz
If you like the big hits, then you're going to love ESPN NHL 2K5 as it keeps it realistic, but still makes it incredibly fun as you line up your opponent and knock him out of the rink.
Read Full Review >PALGN
The additions of the Party Mode and Dream Team Mode, along with the actual gameplay tweaks are enough to make this the strongest hockey title ever.
Read Full Review >Gaming Nexus
The basic hockey in the game is just fantastic and a joy to play, It’s just a shame that the rest of the game doesn’t meet the standards of the game play.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
For me, the big thing is feeling like I'm actually on the ice. ESPN's physics and skating put me there. "NHL 2005" is too stiff compared with the flow in 2K5. [Oct 2004, p.99]
G4 TV
May not be perfect, but it’s a definite improvement over 2003’s game and you simply can’t beat the price.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
Where the game will put a huge smile on your face is in the number of mini-games you'll be able to play.
Read Full Review >XboxAddict
Ditch the party mode and skybox games, concentrate on the actual game itself. The ESPN franchise is for sim fans. If I wanted all the extra stuff, I would buy EA sports or NHL Hitz.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
ESPN is a top-shelf pick that has an unrivaled franchise mode, but the gameplay doesn't have the hard-hitting finesse of EA's "NHL".[Sept 2004, p.103]
Read Full Review >Sydney Morning Herald
Although there is no online play, deep and lengthy modes such as Season, Franchise and Dream Team will keep you busy.
Read Full Review >Yahoo! Games
EA's game may be slightly deeper from a control perspective, but it's not as much of a blast to play. Between the classic ice and addictive battle mode games, we're more than willing to substitute this game for the real thing, if need be.
Read Full Review >Xbox Nation Magazine
Like a supermodel who's missing a leg - beautiful, but not entirely functional on the catwalk. [Oct 2004, p.94]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 7.9 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Arnie G. gave it a10:
My favorite sporting game as of right now, most people don't like it the first few times they play but fall in love with it after repeated play, smoke a fat one and get ready for some speedy hockey action.
Finnish Fan gave it a10:
As realistic as it can possibly be! This is hockey at it's best! ESPN NHL 2K5 beats EA's NHL 2005 hands down! Very enjoyable, very playable, this is true hockey!
NviperO gave it an8:
ESPN NHL 2K5 is best hockey this season has to offer, but sadly it isn't the same quality to what players have used to see from Sega's 2K-lineup. As Take 2 ripped Live-support out of European release, it made one big mistake. Online play was one of the 2K4's biggest strengths. However, behind all of the bugs and problems is very playable hockey game. I can only hope that Take 2 will spend more effort to testing with 2K6. I'll rather look at higher price tag than a game full of bugs.
Lino G. gave it a 4:
Do people just scramble to find good things to say about this game because of its accomodating price tag? Come on! Anybody who knows anything about hockey will quickly point out that this games physics, from checking to skating and everything else, are so unrealistic, it makes this game virtually unplayable. Sure, EA's game is $30 more, but you get what you pay for: a realistic, better looking, better playing hockey game.
Steve P. gave it a 6:
Excellent franchise mode and numerous other great mini-games, modes and options but the actual game play is lacking - it's not much fun to play.
[Anonymous] gave it a 3:
Sure, the franchise mode and mini-games are fun, but where the game is seriously lacking is the gameplay. Do NOT buy this game if you're used to the EA Series.
The Goon gave it a 9:
Great overall hockey experience...the one complaint I have is that it's tough to tweak the goalie sliders perfectly...you either get 6-5 games or 1-0 games...unless you shorten the periods...
