NHL 2005

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Yahoo!
    70
    While the game's is an improvement over the 2004 edition, it's still not quite up to snuff.
  2. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    The players look great, but there's too much hitting, too much speed, and too little hockey. [Oct 2004, p.99]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Gaming Age
    67
    The ease of play, with the challenge of a good A.I. creates the perfect balance that not only makes for a realistic competition, but an enjoyable one as well.
  5. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    63
    Flow? NHL 2005's skaters have no flow, 'cause they're always lying out on the ice from hit after hit - just like last year. I know hockey is a rough game, but c'mon, I like to control the puck for more than two seconds before picking up my teeth. [Oct 2004, p.99]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. G4 TV
    60
    The bar has been set higher by "ESPN NHL 2K5," whose presentation, sense of realism, and play modes simply outclass, outshine, and outperform those found in NHL 2005.
  7. GMR Magazine
    60
    NHL 2005's major flaw is the sheer amount of contact that takes place during a game. It's got more checks than a bank! More hits than the Top 40! [Oct 2004, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. games(TM)
    60
    This is EA’s take on NHL action as it’s always been, rejigged with improved animations and new moves so it’s inevitably the best version yet. [Nov 2004, p.119]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Operation Sports
    60
    Fans of the ‘sport’ of hockey are going to be frustrated by the extreme emphasis of arcade gameplay. So frustrated they are going to wonder when Midway’s next title will be coming out to get the true arcade hockey video game. Those who are looking for a more simulation based hockey experience also better look elsewhere.

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best PS2 Game of 2004
65
#65 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26
  1. The_D4RknesS
    Apr 23, 2023
    8
    all the things you have in 04 here have been perfected in every way like graphics, details and animations. fun game
  2. Mickelraven
    Apr 21, 2021
    6
    When compared to its predecessor NHL 2004, this game is a big downgrade in terms of features. With the removal of GM's office in Dynasty Mode,When compared to its predecessor NHL 2004, this game is a big downgrade in terms of features. With the removal of GM's office in Dynasty Mode, favorite teams, create a player, and arena creation in create a team, this makes NHL 2004 more worth it, if you wanted a hockey game with customization at the time. This had the potential of being the greatest NHL game of all time, and its follow-up NHL 06 also could've been greater, if EA kept all the amazing customization features of NHL 2004.

    But the biggest offense of this game is the lack of Create A Player. Even though Create A Player would return in NHL 06, this game really feels "uncustomizable" when you don't have the option to make yourself in your favorite teams' jerseys, and fantasy rosters in general. Unless you have the PC version, where you can use third party software to create players. But if you're a console player, you're out of luck, unless you downgrade to NHL 2004. I heard rumors that EA was developing a new Create A Player for this game, but it wasn't ready for release, and was delayed to NHL 06. If they wasn't able to get the new Create A Player ready on time, why couldn't they just port over the Create A Player from NHL 2004, or delay the game by a month or two? Considering this was the full season lockout year.

    Other than these drawbacks, the on ice product was the best at the time. With the additions of authentic arenas, authentic player faces, face-off formations, improved graphics and much better gameplay over NHL 2004 in general. But with the removal of so many features that made NHL 2004 so beloved, gives this game the feel of wasted potential, considering the other EA Sports 2005 games were some of the greatest of all time in their respective franchises!    … Full Review »
  3. neojotic
    Aug 29, 2020
    8
    Your standard NHL game that gets an extra point on this review cause of the introduction of mini games
See all user reviews »