NHL 06

 PlayStation 2
NHL 06 Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

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  • Summary: 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 ofWith 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]… Expand
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NHL 06 Gameplay Movie 7

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Armchair Empire
    91
    NHL gamers will cheer loud for NHL 06, which again proves to be the most playable and engrossing NHL game around, with a very good control scheme and better A.I. than ever along with online play that brings a new level of competitive gameplay to the forefront.
  2. PGNx Media
    87
    The addition of some gameplay moves, the fast-paced gameplay and stellar presentation assure that fans of the series won’t be disappointed.
  3. IGN
    85
    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.
  4. Cheat Code Central
    80
    Just don't go expecting the game to be leaps and bounds ahead of last year's edition.
  5. Inside Gamer Online
    76
    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.
  6. Game Informer
    70
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. G4 TV
    60
    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.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. JimBobA.
    Aug 17, 2005
    10
    Good game but not the best.
  2. DrewF.
    Sep 25, 2005
    9
    Best game in the series since NHL 97 for the PC. I'm really enjoying it. Only real downside is that it's near impossible to get a shutout.
  4. Shmookpup
    Jun 3, 2015
    9
    This game is fast. Somehow even faster than NHL 05. Create a player is great in this game. The right analog stick allows you to pull ofThis game is fast. Somehow even faster than NHL 05. Create a player is great in this game. The right analog stick allows you to pull of ridiculous dekes. If you score on one of these, you feel amazing. I also found the game's soundtrack to be my favourite of any EA sports game I have ever played (and I have played many). One flaw is that slow players get destroyed by quick players in this game. Speed really kills here.… Expand
  5. Kevin
    Nov 13, 2005
    8
    NHL 06 providing fun gameplay for the average fan. While it lacked in some areas, it was indeed worth the $30. The Creation Zone's faces NHL 06 providing fun gameplay for the average fan. While it lacked in some areas, it was indeed worth the $30. The Creation Zone's faces can be odd, since the faces look the same. But the Player Editor is a blessing, since you will have to change a few things. The NHL 94 retro was so-so. no real names, nor the Hartford Whalers. The Franchise was very disapointing this year, as it was the same as last year, heck, last year's sucked. The Gameplay makes this all good. While the scoring is high, and the game maybe hard, it's very fun. It will give you entertainment, and is the best multi-playing hockey game this year. If your for fun gameplay, NHL 06 is your game.… Expand
  6. The_D4RknesS
    Apr 20, 2023
    8
    literally one of the best NHL themed games ever made. The glass breaks realistically, the fights are fun (only one life bar was missing) theliterally one of the best NHL themed games ever made. The glass breaks realistically, the fights are fun (only one life bar was missing) the gameplay is smooth. Finally a cool game for 2 players… Expand
  7. MartinM.
    Sep 14, 2005
    6
    Being a fan of the 2K series over EA's NHL XX for three years, I was looking foward to the 2K6 edition. What a foul I was. It feels so Being a fan of the 2K series over EA's NHL XX for three years, I was looking foward to the 2K6 edition. What a foul I was. It feels so cheap, it's unbelievable. First off, the menus suck big time. Second, the gameplay and graphic are just average. It's only a day later I noticed SEGA was not involved anymore. To my surprise, because I hate encouraging EA, NHL 06 was completely the opposite. It's almost everything a hockey fan hope for. I got to admit it... Good work EA.… Expand
  8. KeytonE.
    Nov 10, 2005
    6
    As a long time fan of EA's NHL series, I'm fearful that I may turn into a 2K convert. NHL06 really takes some good steps forward As a long time fan of EA's NHL series, I'm fearful that I may turn into a 2K convert. NHL06 really takes some good steps forward with stick handling and the best player control to date. However, the game has some serious flaws that really hold it back. The crowd animations are absolutely pathetic. They all just sit there like blank faced idiots while you score a highlight reel goal. The create-a-player feature isn't nearly as detailed as it could be. Take a lesson from your own game EA! Tiger Woods 2005 has a much better create-a-player featrure. The difficulty is the one feature that aggrivates me the most, and shows where the programmers really cut corners. The 'difficult' setting is absolutely annoying. All it does is crank up the computers scoring percentage, makes computer players skate faster, and takes away all your high percentage scoring chances. In some games the computer will score on nearly 50% of its shots, while you're lucky to score once in 25. It definitely looks and plays nice, but the drawbacks ruin the experience.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Best PS2 Game of 2005