NHL 06 (xbx: 2005): Reviews

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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

NHL 06


8.5

based on 35 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 21 votes
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GAMES:

Cheat Code Central

Official Website

With NHL 06 players can score like a superstar, express themselves through their shooting style with the new EA SPORTS Skill Stick and light the lamp with highlight reel moves such as spinoramas, toe drags, bat-ins, and between-the-legs shots. Classic deke control adds to the arsenal of moves allowing maneuvers around defensemen before snapping off dangerous shots that can ripple the twine and knock the water bottle off the net. [Electronic Arts]

PUBLISHER:	Electronic Arts
DEVELOPER:	EA Canada
GENRE(S):	Sports, Hockey
PLAYERS:	4
ESRB RATING:	E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)
RELEASE DATE:	September 6, 2005

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...

GameSpy

Diehards will love the reduced emphasis on checking, while more casual fans should enjoy the new skill stick moves and the ability to place your shot wherever you please. Best of all, every rule change has made it into the game.

Official Xbox Magazine

When you mix the reinvigorated gameplay with the familiar RPG-lite, detail-intensive Dynasty Mode, you've got a hockey sim that the "Swingers" crew would call "pretty damn money." [Sept 2005, p.84]

Worth Playing

A tremendous sports simulation, so if you have any love for hockey, not owning this game is downright inexcusable.

PGNx Media

The addition of some gameplay moves, the fast-paced gameplay and stellar presentation assure that fans of the series won’t be disappointed.

Talk Xbox

A solid game that is lacking in a few departments. The in-game additions are fantastic, but changes need to be made to ‘Franchise Mode’. Additionally, I really wanted to see Free4All available on Xbox Live, because it makes no sense to have this mode of play only offline.

Next Level Gaming

Moreso than previous years, the graphics in NHL 06 are very tight. Still not Visual Concepts spectacular, but getting there.

Play Magazine

A kick-ass game of hockey that stands to be the best EA has ever produced. [Oct 2005, p.70]

IGN

EA’s NHL title has certainly been improved over last year’s offering and may actually be their finest work since "NHL 94." However, it feels like there have been more fixes than any truly groundbreaking additions to the game.

Xbox Solution

NHL 06 may not have the right to claim the most improved version, however, it has tons of modes and the updated rules and players. It has great controls and adjusts to any skill level.

GameZone

There is no denying EA when it comes to slick presentation, fluid gameplay, and topnotch animations, but its breakneck pace, and broken goalies will definitely take away some of its charm.

Gaming Age

NHL 06 is as good as it gets in console hockey.

Pelit (Finland)

Not that much has happened since the last time. The AI players have great difficulties especially in defense and maintaining a controlled defensive line-up is next to impossible. Nice atmosphere, though. [Sept. 05]

Kombo

With Xbox Live play, solid controls, and a great presentation, NHL 06 should satisfy even the hardest puckhead.

DailyGame

If you're jonesing for some Hockey action, EA's NHL 06 is well worth checking into. If you prefer a style of play more akin to the stuff we saw back in the SEGA Genesis days, this is your game. Less complexity - more fun.

Computer and Video Games

Okay, so it feels a bit better than last year, but not by much. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Cheat Code Central

The only major issue I take with the game is one that I take with almost every single game put out by EA, lack of a solid instruction manual. I for one would appreciate complete information on how to play the game and use new features, what certain options do, and maybe some "rules" information for new comers to the game. I don't want cliff notes, I want the book.

games(TM)

As the greatest and most enjoyable recreation of the sport since the 16-bit era, NHL 06 deserves to sit alongside the likes of "Pro Evo" as a sporting highlight that any gamer can enjoy. [Nov 2005, p.111]

Game Chronicles

In many ways, NHL 06 really could be considered the best console hockey game to ever hit the ice – that is, if it weren’t for the handful of glaring issues that have been with the game for years and EA simply refuses to address, not the least of which is EA’s poor integration of online play through Xbox Live.

Armchair Empire

NHL 06 may not be the greatest hockey game I've ever played, it's leaps and bounds above last years offering.

Gaming Nexus

Decent gameplay, a solid dynasty mode, and an improved physics engine more than make up for poor team creation and few major enhancements as NHL 06 goes “five hole” on the competition.

Team Xbox

EA has made a lot of strides with NHL 06, especially on the offensive side of the ice. That being said, the AI is still a problem area that prevents the series from reaching its maximum potential.

GamePro

With NHL 06, EA Sports is revisiting its roots to create a feature-stable game with both style and substance, and it all starts with the controls. Quite simply, they are the most responsive ever.

Inside Gamer Online

If you can look past the minor problems in the animations, the Superman AI and the new rule missteps, you will find that EA has actually created a pretty good sim style game.

GameSpot

Sure, it's got all the new rule changes, as well as an almost entirely up-to-date roster, but considering how similar the game is overall to 2005's version, you have to ask yourself, "Is that really enough?"

PALGN

While better than 2005’s effort, there just isn’t enough different to make it a worthwhile purchase to last year’s game. Everybody else though will find a thoroughly fun game of hockey.

Game Over Online

Somebody at EA needs to stick a post-it note on the producer's door that reads "Dynasty Mode." It's a mess.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

I like that in 06's franchise mode each NHL team has its own objectives - be the Wings and anything short of Canada's Holy Grail is a disappointment. [Oct 2005, p.114]

Maxim Online

Improvements in puck physics means that hard shots can bruise your opponents, while last year's overly aggressive defense has been scaled back to realistic levels.

Pelaaja (Finland)

Because of the cheap AI, the single player game is a frustrating experience which is too bad, as the rest of the package is pretty good. Salvation comes in the form of the superb multiplayer modes, which are highly addictive and also feature well implemented online player leagues. If not for the cheap AI, NHL 06 might have been EA’s best NHL game in years, but at the end of the day, this years edition won’t convert the fans of "NHL 2K" –series. [Sept 2005, p 72]

Game Informer

A complete turnaround from last season, and a direction that I hope EA steers clear of in the future. The user should always have control over the most basic gameplay functions. [Sept 2005, p.96]

DarkStation

EA's string of great sports releases is broken this time as the 2006 edition just goes through the motions and doesn't bring anything new for gamers.

Xbox Evolved

In reality it is just a few minor tweaks from 2005, completely updated rosters, and the fact that it says ‘06’.

1UP

The hyper-speed of this game makes it feel like more of an arcade experience than a real hockey simulator. It's still a huge step in the right direction, though.

Operation Sports

The title is sure to horrify the hardcore, while providing hours and hours of fun for those who are looking for more action and less strategy. [*Note: original score posted by Operation Sports as 3/5 = 60. Current score on their redesigned site is inaccurate.]

G4 TV

It's a different style of game than previous versions, one that dumps some of the innovations from earlier titles in favor of crowd-pleasing simplicity.

The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 21 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Matt W. gave it a10:
This game has amazing moves on the new trick stick and the graphics are sweet too, i like that you can injure other players with slapshots now.

Jay H. gave it a3:
I've always been a fan of EA's hockey games but this one is a HUGE miss for me. I gave it a 3 simply for the graphics, b/c they are really great. The checking is terrible, the player control is the worst i've seen in years and the added features are really just window dressing. the worst part of the game is the left - right quick deak; it makes the player drag and ultimately makes the game far far worse. This is one of those games that has good intentions and then falls flat on its face, which boads well for next years game. Usually when EA makes a game this bad they come back really strong.

Matthew W. gave it a10:
Best hockey game in a while. Way better than 2k6! This is the game to get that represents the new and improved NHL to the fullest.

Matthew K. gave it a10:
Like I said before this game is the top of the line. I left a comment on espn and how good it was and it is. I love this game, I have been playing hours straight, I love the action, hiting, fighting is amazing!!!. Well there are some small probelms on this game as well. For Ex, you can score way to easily, Like if you have problems scoreing put it on auto aim and you will be winning games like 11-1 on medium and hard. If you want a hard game put it on manaul and try to become pro. Well bottom line this is the best out of all NHl games.

RJ BEESWAX gave it a7:
I also have 2006 and my initial reaction was the same as yours. But, last year I grumbled too at the 2005 version compared to what I was used too, the 2004. I think as far as game play comparison we tend to prefer what we know and become frusterated with what we don't. Althought I am really getting sick of how EA every year seems to be putting less care into it's NHL product. SImple little mistakes that seem paltry to most really show a lack of consideration and effort on their part. Here are a few examples.: -Goalies masks and pads always stay the same as their original team (last year at the very least if you traded a goalie to a new team his mask would go neutral white)(to top this mess off, Khabibulin was correctly a BLACKHAWK in this year's game but his pads and mask are and will be forever from his TAmpa years!!) -Rosters, holy f..k! what a mess, Kelly Buchburger still playing for the PENS, and yet the biggest news in hockey since Lemiuex himself, CROSBY isn't even in the game...ditto with Washington's great draft, Ovechkin...their is no excuse for this whatsoever. -The cut scenes are exactly the same as last year, bench celebrations and what not except they cleverly altered the camera persepective to try and convince you they're new ones. BULL.... -The play by play and color commentary is essencially the same as 20005 with the exception of very few new ones that are getting old fast. -Way too many posts! EVery game I hit the post about 3-7 times. -When I went to correct the and update the rosters I had to drop some players into free-agency, which was a nightmare because they restricted the number of players you can actually put into the FA pool..so it's a total pain in the neck and I had to get clever and trade players and shite like that, about 2-3 steps more in order to get players to the proper teams. WHy couldn't they have just made the FA pool hold way more players? I'm sure they could have, they just didn't deem it important. -The Create-a-player feature that they brought back after stupidly leaving it off of the 05 version is horrid. I mean, its better than nothing but, the analogue face creator is a mess, every character I create comes out looking like an Ogre. Sidney Crosby is now an Ogre cuz I had to create him. I was really considering buying the 2k6 game, going with EA's main competitor. But thanks to my friend I am no longer gonna do that, it's even worse than EA's 06. (I played at his place last night, he bought it and I thought it really sucke, brutal graphics and skating on air---but just my first impression) Besides the more I play the more I realize that slowly but surely I'm warming up and getting used to the new EA. I like the deke option, especially on break-aways, it feels like you have some real control in-tight that has been lacking in other years. The goalie does drop down too easily but if you up your difficulty level they still make great saves (even if they have no right in making them--just pretend they aren't on their backs) Also I like certain features alot: -the puck physics, the puck injures and bounces and slows and raises more appropriately -the skating physics is better, the players have more realistic momentum and speed bursts(you can't always hold speed down because, like real hockey, a player at top-flight will be less stable and less in control of the puck and his shots will be ineffective. -The AI for the other team, especially on D seems much improved. As far as a complaint against the graphics, I think they're very similiar to 2005's game which in my eyes was a step backwarsd from 2004's offering. Over all EA is still the best hockey game out there, I just wish they didn't care so little about this title and put the effort in that it deserved. I would love to see even a 1/4 of the money and effort they put into the MADDEN title, it would make a world of difference. pissed off with EA but gagging at EK_ still I reluctantly give EA's NHL 2006 a 7/10

Dane C. gave it a9:
By far the best hockey game this year ...if u think NHL2k6 is better, than sorry, you simply don't know what your're talking about try naming one things 2k6 has better...an icon-based passing system ??? haha!

Scott gave it a7:
The game isn't much different from last year. They seriously need to improve goal variety. I also can't stand how the goalies cheat. Why they can't make it so that if it hits the goalie then it's a save, rather than resorting to goalie psychic powers and surrounding them with an invisible glue is beyond me. By far the best way to score is via one timers and dekes. But those types of goals constitute maybe 20% of goals in the real NHL. Trying other methods to score just isn't rewarded. Playing through an 82 game season when you only really score 2 ways just isn't that fun. With all that said, this game does include a lot of neat details. I am impressed with all the NHL player faces - they capture their likeness' very well. I was also pleasantly surprrised seeing somewhat updated rosters. They are within a month or so of the real NHL rosters unlike NHL 2K6 (released on the same day). But admitedly there have been a lot of transactions within the past little while. Overall the game is a mild improvement on last years version, but I wouldn't wholeheartedly recommend it.