NHL 2K6 (Xbox 360, 2005)

NHL® 2K6 continues its legacy as the #1 rated* and now #1 selling* NHL game with more control, more emotion and more detail than ever before. ProControl offense lets you take command offensive zone with tape-to-tape icon passing, behind the net plays and precision give-and-go attacks. Display your raw aggression to maximize the Enforcer System and throw opponents off their game. And, take in the awesome spectacle of NHL caliber goaltending, skating, checking and puck handling with the deeply enhanced animation system. Featuring all-new commentary from legendary broadcast team Bob Cole and Harry Neale, NHL® 2K6 brings the ice to you.

•Breathtaking Next-Gen Visuals - Featuring incredible ice reflections, realistic net physics, and high resolution player models. Crease Control - Marty Turco's breakthrough goaltending interface redefines the experience between the pipes.
•The NHL Experience - Fully 3-D crowd and highly detailed arenas re-create the intensity of a true NHL game. Rosters & Rules - All the new NHL rules and the most current rosters available with the latest big transaction players and hot new rookies.
•ProControl - Play like the pros with our revolutionary icon-based passing system. All-new combo passing and shooting controls let you queue up give-and-go attacks, tic-tac-toe passing, puck cycling, behind the net plays and more!
•On-The-Fly Coaching - Play your style of hockey at both ends of the ice by calling team strategy during the action. Crash the net, screen the goalie and pinch defensemen on offense. Then, counter the attack by clearing the crease, clearing the zone, or setting up a break out for an offensive rush. Enforcer System - Throw opponents off their game by bringing out your checking line. Now, bigger and more aggressive players weigh into the outcome of a game as much as your leading goal scorers, as physical play will lower opponents' performance ratings.
•Maximum Goaltending - Take matters into your own hands by swapping into the cage and utilizing your right analog stick to make quick, intuitive saves when it counts the most.
•PureMotion Animations - Hundreds of new NHL-caliber animations to feast your eyes on including spectacular saves in goal by Marty Turco.
•Franchise Perfection - An unsurpassed franchise experience hinges a team's success on your ability to schedule workouts, scrimmages and manage team chemistry.
•Gold Standard Presentation - Immerse yourself in the impeccable presentation system with all-new commentary featuring Bob Cole and Harry Neale, broadcast standard overlays, innovative camera angles, new cut-scenes and more. The Online Experience - 2K Sports continues to lead the online gaming revolution as NHL® 2K6 brings you seamless online play and the most comprehensive online feature set anywhere including completely online stat tracking, buddy lists management, and online leagues.

NHL 2K6

I've never been a fan of the 2K series of hockey games. They're decent but just don't deliver the goods the way I hoped they would!

Here's my list of reasons why:

- Too easy to score
- Gameplay not realistic
- Players look like they're floating not skating
- Unlockable teams only have numbers on jerseys not actual players
- Controls are awkward and hard to get used to
- Put in features that most people will find repulsive

NHL 2K6 did build on the greatness of the 2K5 dynasty/franchise mode. But I just didn't find this game very fun. It was alright, but the additions to the gameplay I found stupid. Most of the mini-games sucked, and the unlockables suck.

A plus side to this game is the multi-player pond hockey mode.

Overall, like other 2K NHL games, 2K6 just doesn't do it for me.

Final Verdict:

3/5

Rent or Buy?: As I said at the beginning, I've never been a fan of the 2K series of hockey games, if you're looking for a great Hockey game pick up a copy of NHL 06 for multiplayer and NHL 07 for Xbox 360 for overall play.

IF YOU FIND THIS REVIEW HELPFUL PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE. Thank you.

I bought this game because it was at a good price and it had been a long time since I had played a hockey game that I was ready to try something different. The game has good graphics and the game play was user friendly but here is the bad part. It seems that according to other customer reviews as well as fan feedback on 2KSPORTS website that a number of these 2K6 Hockey games came off the
production line and were bad. This game would play all the way thru until you went to exit back to the menu screen and it would freeze up. It didn't matter if you were in exhibition or season mode it did the same thing. You would have to shut down your console to reboot the game. If I had to do it over again I would not buy this piece of junk. I ended up buying EA sports NHL07. Buyer beware when you bid on this game. I wouldn't take the gamble if I were you.

NHL 2K6 is full of features and has great game play. But the Graphics are pretty bad for a Next-Gen title on the 360. Madden 06 was known for having great graphics but pretty shallow on the features and that was true even though it played fine. KUSH games must have spent time making sure all the current Gametypes like Franchise, Skybox, Pond Hockey and more remained in this version and spent less development time into the looks. One great improvement is now you can control the goal keeper and that adds a new twist on the gameplay, it is a welcome addition, I also like that you can skate backwards now by holding a trigger and you can also control the hockeystick by using the right toggle. Overall i would recommend this game to any hockey fan for it's solid gameplay. If you can ignore poor graphics you will have a good time with this game.

Nothing like spending hours designing players, setting up a season mode and then find out the game freezes at the end of every game when you go to save. There is no reason to even try season mode since you will not be able to progress. I thought this was an individual game problem...but I had the same problem with another NHL 2K6 on the normal xbox game system. After I was having so many problems with the saving I went online to see if this was normal and sure enough this problem is happening everywhere.

I am really amazed that the game was not tested more thoroughly to see that there was such a huge problem. It is really unfortunate because the game play is actually great.

I guess I will have to wait until the next hockey game is out on the 360.