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NHL 2K9

Release Date: 
09/08/2008
Game Platform: 
360
PS3
Wii
PS2
Star Rating: 
★★★
Price: $59.99

The Skinny: Hey, it's…that sport again.

The Good: NHL 2K9 edges out its competition in terms of graphics—with over 1,400 new game play animations, you won't see the same player do the same thing very often. Nice updates to last year's version are the inclusion of playoff beards, user-controlled Cup celebrations, and a brand-new fighting engine that'll leave the ice blood red.

The Bad: For you perennial hockey game shoppers, you won't find anything new here to warrant another purchase this year (a brand-new menu interface, and, well, a new menu interface…). To be fair, you can drive a Zamboni during intermissions, which is fun for approximately 7.6 seconds.

Super Nash Bros.? Contrary to popular belief among some at Maxim HQ, 2K9 cover boy Rick Nash is not related to the Phoenix Suns' PG Steve Nash.

Buy, Rent, or Disembowel? Rent, assuming all the copies of NHL 09 are out.