NHL 2K6

NHL 2K6 wins top hockey honors this season.

Last issue, we espoused how good EA Sports' NHL 06 turned out to be, fully expecting it to run away with the Cup. Well, hold on a sec now as developer Kush Games has skated through the defense and scored top shelf with NHL 2K6. Thanks to a wealth of sim-style features and topnotch gameplay, it narrowly establishes itself as this year's must-have hockey title.

Fire on the Ice
One of the franchise's strong suits has always been its staggering number of in-game control options, and NHL 2K6 keeps this trend alive. As is to be expected, players still have the ability to make separate offensive and defensive line changes (a feature sorely missing from NHL 06) as well as the ability to execute deke moves at the flick of the right analog stick. Likewise, gamers are still able to separately customize strategies for each individual line and skater, making it the most satisfyingly deep sim this side of Montreal.

Not one to rest on its laurels, Visual Concepts has gone beyond just a simple tweaks here and there to institute one of the coolest features ever: Pro Control (PC). Basically, it's an advanced form of icon passing that takes it one step further by enabling the player to fire off one-timers. It's even possible to combo moves together to create more seamless--and effective--scoring opportunities. And once mastered, you'll begin to wonder how you ever got along without it. Another helpful control addition for this year is the ability to skate backwards with the puck handler, which comes in equally as handy when trying to set up scoring chances.

On top of the numerous control features, NHL 2K6 also sports improved player control. Previously, the franchise suffered a bit too much from annoying floatiness as the skaters really didn't seem grounded on the ice. While this area of the game isn't as good as in NHL 06, Visual Concepts made it so it isn't as noticeable as before, which should make a lot more people happy

Scratch My Back with a Hacksaw!
As for the presentation, 2K6 is exceptionally polished, especially on Xbox, and the wealth of on-ice animations is very substantial. Sonically, you won't find a better experience as the in-game effects are as lifelike as they get, and the two-man commentary is definitely a lot deeper than that of EA's game--honestly, it feels like you're watching a televised broadcast.

No matter which version of NHL 2K6 you prefer to "game on" with, you won't feel disappointed. And if you're a player that likes hockey with a bit more of a simulation flare, this is the game you'll want to have in your collection. Whether you have what it takes to win the Cup, well, that's strictly on you.

KEY MOMENT: Using Pro Control for the first time to set up the perfect one-timer, and then constantly abusing your opponent again and again thereafter.

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