- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Release Date: Sep 12, 2025
- Also On: Xbox Series X
- Summary:
- Developer: EA Vancouver
- Genre(s): Sports, Team, Ice Hockey, Sim
- # of players: Up to 12
- Cheats: On GameFAQs
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 14 out of 25
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Mixed: 11 out of 25
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Negative: 0 out of 25
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Sep 25, 2025NHL 26 delivers the most refined hockey experience in the series to date, featuring technical gameplay, engaging modes, and top-tier presentation. The new ICE-Q 2.0 engine enhances realism across the board, while Be a Pro offers an immersive narrative journey and Ultimate Team introduces new strategic layers. It’s not the most accessible title at first, but it rewards dedication. Combining authenticity, depth, and intensity, NHL 26 stands out as one of the most complete sports simulations of the season.
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Sep 10, 2025NHL 26 is a terrific iteration of the series, bringing together immersive, in-depth gameplay thanks to the ICE-Q 2.0 AI system, terrific visuals and a huge roster of modes.. It's puckin' great.
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Sep 11, 2025NHL 26 brings new gameplay changes that bring hockey to life in a way that is better than ever. There are still some things to be ironed out, a typical issue for yearly sports releases, but there is a lot of fun to be had for hockey fans everywhere.
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Sep 9, 2025Overall, NHL 26 presents itself as a title that marks a necessary step in the right direction. However, the game is not without flaws, and the overall picture is a mix of innovation and stagnation.
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Sep 16, 2025‘NHL 26’ is a revamp and refresh. However, to me, it’s an incredibly hard game to justify buying from last year’s installment. In the game’s defense, I will argue this against those online who say ‘this is just a glorified roster update’ because I can tell there have been several little improvements to make things a better playing experience. ‘NHL 26’ is still a good game for me. Plus, I can see possible ways that modes like ‘Be A Pro’ can go in the future, especially with the updates to ‘Franchise Mode’ in ‘NHL 25’. I do feel like we are a goalie that’s been left out to dry in the third period late.
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Sep 8, 2025With a number of improvements such as a new goalie crease system and NHL EDGE data being used to enhance player behaviour, NHL 26 is undoubtedly a great hockey game. Be A Pro mode still has some issues, though, and you can just tell that the series doesn't get as much love as the likes of EA Sports FC.
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Sep 12, 2025Reviews aren’t the place to weigh in on how to fix things, so I won’t do that here. Deep down I hope the developers who are making this are kicking down Electronic Arts CEO, Andrew Wilson's, door asking for more time, budget, or anything really. Developers tend to be super fans who love making amazing games. I believe that about EA Vancouver, but this is not good enough and hasn’t been good enough for years. The players who return year after year deserve better.