ESPN NHL Hockey

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Sep 9, 2003
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 4 out of 22
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. TuomasK.
    Sep 10, 2003
    10
    I will get this game over a month 'cause I'm European, but I know it is the best hockey game on the market.
  2. PaulP.
    Sep 18, 2003
    9
    Gameplay is excellent! It seems like you can create a huge amount of players as well. Throw in Historic Teams which you can edit the rosters and if the first and last names are in ESPN NHL HOCKEY'S huge database then it says the players full names. Example I unlocked the Canucks '94 team and edited the roster. It was sweet hearing names like Geoff Coutrnall, Jeff Brown and even Gameplay is excellent! It seems like you can create a huge amount of players as well. Throw in Historic Teams which you can edit the rosters and if the first and last names are in ESPN NHL HOCKEY'S huge database then it says the players full names. Example I unlocked the Canucks '94 team and edited the roster. It was sweet hearing names like Geoff Coutrnall, Jeff Brown and even Dave Babych again. I can't wait to unlock more teams and have some more fun this game is sweet. … Expand
  3. JasonK.
    Sep 9, 2003
    8
    nhl 2004 has better gameplay and more realism, with being able to get into the game as a GM, and having full ability to take control of your favorite team or creat a team. much better, but still give props to espn, still a great game.
  4. DannyR.
    Oct 15, 2003
    9
    This is a great game Randy B.- The NHL switched the jersey colors for home and away games this year. The game is correct.
  5. MikeModano(Iwish)
    Nov 7, 2003
    5
    I don't like this game because the presentation is to much like a ESPN broadcast. So much of the time they spoon feed you usless information that any real hockey fan already knows. NHL 2004 is a lot better.
  6. JoeS.
    Dec 10, 2003
    5
    ESPN NHL HOCKEY is a game that is well designed. With its smooth play and great graphics, I highly recommend it. But it doesn't come close to the realism that NHL 2004 delivers. EA sports, it's in the game!!!
  7. MikeF.
    Oct 23, 2003
    5
    This is the most overrated game I've ever played. I don't know why everybody is saying that this game is amazing because it's not. It's ok, but not more than that. Graphics are pretty drab, controls are somehow annoying. I don't know, I can't warm up to this game.
  8. RandyB.
    Oct 3, 2003
    9
    An awesome hockey game!!! I was totally hooked on the EA series, but one game of the ESPN NHL had me switched. My only issue with it is having the dark jersey being put as the home jersey and the light as being the away. That's only in football......not hockey.
  9. Uter
    Oct 9, 2003
    9
    This is the best option on the ps2 for a hockey game this year. The gameplay is more sim than NHL & Hitz (although Hitz isn't supposed to be a sim). The graphics and sound are much improved from last year, and the gameplay is largely unchanged. I wish it was easier to score 5 hole though, it's virtually impossible. It's also unfortunate that it uses such a large chunk of This is the best option on the ps2 for a hockey game this year. The gameplay is more sim than NHL & Hitz (although Hitz isn't supposed to be a sim). The graphics and sound are much improved from last year, and the gameplay is largely unchanged. I wish it was easier to score 5 hole though, it's virtually impossible. It's also unfortunate that it uses such a large chunk of the memory card (you need a few megs free if you want a franchise). Overall it's a great game, but there is room for improvement.… Expand
  10. Natedogg
    Sep 29, 2003
    9
    The unlockable teams are a wonderful addition. The gameplay is wonderful - graphics are awesome - sound gets old after awhile - challenges are a little harder than expected - wish the d-pad could have been used instead of analog -- overall the best hockey game i've played -- and there have been many of them--trust me ! I would recommend it !
  11. VinnyR.
    Sep 30, 2003
    10
    The greatest hockey game i ever played in my life.
  12. RyanL.
    Sep 7, 2003
    9
    The best hockey game to date in terms of gameplay and realism... bar none. EA's NHL 2004 is still too arcadish compared to this game and is falling behind fast.
  13. RyanK.
    Dec 31, 2003
    7
    This Christmas I got NHL 2004. After hearing all the reviews, I decided to buy ESPN NHL Hockey. After I played it I was unsure of it. I have been playing the EA Sports series for 5 years and ESPN had a completely different feel. If you dont like ESPN, play it for more than one game and it will grow on you. I now love it. It is the best hockey game by far and the graphics blow by those in This Christmas I got NHL 2004. After hearing all the reviews, I decided to buy ESPN NHL Hockey. After I played it I was unsure of it. I have been playing the EA Sports series for 5 years and ESPN had a completely different feel. If you dont like ESPN, play it for more than one game and it will grow on you. I now love it. It is the best hockey game by far and the graphics blow by those in NHL 2004.… Expand
  14. AleksiK.
    Sep 11, 2003
    10
    Best hockey ever!!!
  15. DevonN.
    Sep 13, 2003
    8
    This game is awsome. VERY realistic. I only gave it an 8 cause' the online play is very disappointing. It lags extremely bad. Like 20 frames per second bad.
  16. G.G.
    Sep 22, 2003
    1
    Nhl 2004 is way more fun and hardcore!
  17. UM
    Nov 18, 2003
    3
    I don't know what the big fuss about this game is. When I got it I was expecting so much more from all of the great reviews it got. Complete garbage if you ask me. The special moves are so crappy & you can't even manual deke like in NHL 2004, I mean common flipping the puck is considered a deke. Complete garbage.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best PS2 Game of 2003
86
#86 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Play Magazine
    100
    The true star of the ESPN NHL Hockey is the play-by-play commentary. Courtesy of ESPN's Gary Throne and Bill Clement, this is some of the best commentary I've ever heard in a hockey game. [Jan 2004, p.80]
  2. TotalGames.net
    89
    Fine visuals, excellent sound and a level of presentation currently unrivalled in any sporting product - what more could you want?
  3. Game Chronicles
    94
    A near-flawless gameplay experience that is marred only by a slightly deficient Franchise mode, but when you have a game that exudes this much quality in just about every other facet I’m more than happy to overlook it.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »