NHL 2005

 PlayStation 2
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
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  1. RyanS.
    Sep 7, 2004
    10
    This game is tight, Nash Kovalchuck, Gaborik scoring machines with all this open ice.
  2. TonyB.
    Jan 2, 2005
    9
    Awesome game.Theonly problem I have are the goaltenders are too good for the reast of the players.the goalies arent very realistic they stop everything in the hardest setting.
  3. BobR.
    Oct 10, 2004
    9
    This game is great, i myself play hockey, and agree there is a little to much hitting, but that is just the effect that will attract people who are not familiar with hockey.
  4. J.Silvestre
    Aug 2, 2004
    10
    I can't wait till this game comes out. NHL 2004 was awesome. I'm sure 2005 will top it. Go Sens Go!!!
  5. ThomasW.
    Jan 15, 2005
    10
    I love this game because you can be toronto and trade some of there better older players who have a large salary and get younger bergeron guys or ryders and the computer will trade for the older guys even if they retire in a couple of years so you get the deal, try getting younger players with lots of potential say at least 90 and are fast and have some agressiveness and you can sign them I love this game because you can be toronto and trade some of there better older players who have a large salary and get younger bergeron guys or ryders and the computer will trade for the older guys even if they retire in a couple of years so you get the deal, try getting younger players with lots of potential say at least 90 and are fast and have some agressiveness and you can sign them for cheap at least until the get good after a couple of years in the dynasty mode.… Expand
  6. SamiS.
    Dec 23, 2004
    6
    Espn nhl2k5 is the best hockey game ever make..........i have been playing hockey at live and videogames allmoust my lifetime(29yrs)so i have quite good wiew this games.Ea sports nhl2005 is fun to play and dynasty mode is fabulous,but game realistic sucks and it meens me more than dynasty mode.Everyone should try play espn hockey and you will see the differents,goals wont come so easylyEspn nhl2k5 is the best hockey game ever make..........i have been playing hockey at live and videogames allmoust my lifetime(29yrs)so i have quite good wiew this games.Ea sports nhl2005 is fun to play and dynasty mode is fabulous,but game realistic sucks and it meens me more than dynasty mode.Everyone should try play espn hockey and you will see the differents,goals wont come so easyly and you really have to learn play the game,before you can beat the hardest level.… Expand
  7. JulesA.
    Oct 3, 2004
    9
    All right all you people who say that the game has too much hitting are dumb...hockey is hitting and if you can't handle it don't play it!! the game is awesome!!
  8. Davidlobster
    Aug 6, 2004
    10
    O Toronto!
  9. WiLd4JokEr
    Sep 20, 2004
    10
    I had 2004 NHL EA sports. I switched to ESPN 2k5, I didn't like it first but after a while, it's awesome. Pens suck but... go PENGUINS!!
  10. KevinS.
    Jan 17, 2005
    9
    I have to say that the 04 version blew. It was kiddie almost but espn redeemed themselves with this one. Someone mentioned the goalies stopping everything, that's true and it's not very realistic but i love the game. Robert Esche plays like an all-star.
  11. Yo-yoma
    Jul 22, 2004
    10
    Go Blue Jackets!
  12. LegendKiller
    Aug 11, 2004
    10
    NHL 2004 was awesome. The looks of this game makes me want to buy it! Go Redden Go! He should make the cover. Go sens GO!
  13. BrianR.
    Sep 23, 2004
    8
    NHL is an overall better game than ESPN, but not by much.
  14. LinoG.
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    This game is, without question or hesitation, the premier hockey title on the market. The gameplay is tight, the visuals are incredible, and the overall value is priceless. If you love hockey, get this game. If you want a watered down, less impressive game of ice, go elsewhere.
  15. neojotic
    Aug 29, 2020
    8
    Your standard NHL game that gets an extra point on this review cause of the introduction of mini games
  16. 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, 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-upWhen 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!    … Expand
  17. 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

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. GameSpy
    80
    The new Open Ice mechanics allow for smoother, wide-open play than previous versions, and the Dynasty Mode is as deep and realistic as any I've ever seen.
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  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. PGNx Media
    83
    The actual gameplay is pretty solid throughout, the visuals are excellent and the rest of the presentation isn’t too shabby. That said, it doesn’t do anything principally different and online play could have been implemented better.
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